Charli's POV

"I know your type now, babe. You prefer single mom."I was snapped back my Autumn after a train of my thought about Summer.

She is a single mom? Really?

I felt Autumn removed her arms away from me and gasped, "Oh babe, you're drooling."

I swiftly used a hand to cover my mouth as I heard she was laughing, "Oh my god you believed it. Wake up, Charli."

I rolled my eyes at her as I sat back in my seat and pretended busy on my laptop. Autumn sat across me and asked, "Seriously Charli. Are you interested in the hottie single mama? She wiggled her eyebrows and grinned cheekily at me.

I'm not only interested but I'm still infatuated with her.  

"Yuhoo! Stop dodging my questions, babe." She added, "I've tried to introduce some boys and girls to you. You merely took a look at them less than half a minute."

That was how we communicated when we met. I was so confusing the moment I saw she appeared right in front of me after I had been thinking about her for years.

Most of the people might think that why I didn't shout at her or bitch her out. Well, who would do that when you met someone so breathtaking like her.

Seemed like no other lady would look hot like her in a suit and heels, especially matching her gorgeous dirty blonde tousled hair that everyone dies for it. She changed but in a good way. She had grown into a feminine lady who looks professional and successful in her life.

Still, I was glad she was the old Summer in my impression instead of the hate-me Summer. How could she be still single? Her background and attractive appearance must be eye-catching to boys or girls.  

"You know what, the moment when you both staring at each other like the long lost couple reconciled after a few years."

That's it, I had enough of Autumn keep bugging me about something I didn't feel like want to share at the moment. I shut my laptop and said in a hint of annoyance, "Can you stop that, please?"

She gasped as she looks like shocked with my reaction, she quickly calmed me down, "Calm down, babe, I was making fun with you. I'll let it pass, alright."

I suddenly felt bad to raise my voice at her, she was clueless about it, and I shouldn't take it too hard. Also, this was the first time I was giving her an attitude.

I gently patted her hand and said, "Hey, I'm sorry about that." I sighed softly, "I was overreacted."

She didn't look mad at all, she rolled her eyes playfully and said, "Do you think that I'm that petty and get mad easily?"

I chuckled at her and said, "But, I still have to apologize to you, babe."

"What a minute," Autumn furrowed her eyebrows in concentration and hummed, "This hottie blonde's name is Summer. Is she the Summer you have told me before?"

I nodded my head at her as her eyes widened and gasped, "Oh gosh! What a coincidence. Did both of you started to share anything?"

I shook my head and sighed, "No, we didn't yet. We only said hi to each other and that's it. Besides, she was in a hurry."

I pushed my laptop aside as I folded my arms on the table and said, "I don't know we should talk about that or not."  

"By the look of Summer, I think she's still into you, babe. She seems jealous when you were with me."

"Really?" I asked with a hint of delight.

Autumn smiled with nodded her head, "Yea, that was quite obvious. I think you guys should talk, if only you're ready of course."

"You're right, thanks, Autumn." I smiled at her.

***************

"Before you can have any further relationship with the chill weather, the hot weather is back. Interesting!" Melissa laughed heartily as she held her stomach and I rolled my eyes at her.

We already spent more than an hour in the living room of Melissa's apartment. She was married to her husband for the last two years, and she was carrying a baby.

I groaned, "Ughh! Melissa, I had told you that Autumn is straight and they already planned to tie the knot."

Before Melissa could butt in I quickly added, "But, Autumn's boyfriend is sweet and caring. He's nothing like Summer's that dickhead."

Melissa still giving me that face as she wiggled eyebrows, "Well, anything could happen. Look at you and Summer during the last few years back."

I muttered, "Shut up, Melissa. I'm looking for you as my listener."  

She laughed, "Why do you have things on girls with weather names? Should I name my baby girl as Winter?"

I glared at Melissa, "I don't have the romantic feeling to Autumn. She is like my sister."

She laughed again "Yea, you still prefer the hot one."

I stood up and sighed "I'm leaving."

She took my hand to pull me cause I plopped back on the couch again and said, "Chill out, Charli. Are you having sexual frustration?"

She snickered as I propped my elbows on my laps and buried my face into my palms and groaned in frustration, "Melissa Johnson, are you done?"

I felt her gently patted my shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, Charli. I was messing with you because you're funny whenever you get irritated or frustrated."

I remained quiet and she said, "I think Autumn love to do that to you too, right? She likes to tease you."

I nodded my head and said lazily, "Yea yea. Both of you are meanies."

I felt she wrapped an arm around my shoulder to push me closer to her and said, "Look Charli, as I had said before, there had no right or wrong in any relationship. Yes, you and she had separated in bad condition. That doesn't mean both of you have to start over in a bad term."

"Right," I nodded my head and she said, "You can try baby steps, take your time to interact with her when you see her again. It's worth it if she would put her effort to get you back. Who knows."

I tilted my face to look at Melissa and said, "What if she only wants to befriend me and nothing much?"

Melissa's lips twitched a smirk, "Are you worrying that she just wants to be best friend instead of your girlfriend?"

I slowly nodded my head at her as she chuckled, "Take it easy, you have to put two and two together. Be strong and be ready to move on if Summer wants to be your best friend."

She gently pressed my face for me to rest on her shoulder and said, "Here always for you whenever you need. I promise I won't laugh at you."

We chuckled along and she said in the tone of enlightening, "If she wants to be your girlfriend, we can get a party! I'll be glad for you, Charli."

She gently squeezed my shoulder and patted my head like a baby and I said softly, "Thank you, Melissa. I feel better now."

She snatched one of my hands and I saw she pressed it on on her baby bump, she stared at me and squealed, "Hey! She's kicking! I think she's excited for you too!"

I laughed lightly as I looked at her baby bump and said, "Thank you so much, baby girl." I gently caressed her baby bump.

"Team Summer!" Melissa yelled enthusiastically with a pumped fist as I shook my head at her with a smile.

***************

"Hey," that familiar melodic voice I already knew who was the owner. I turned to face her and I was fascinated by her beauty again.

Summer was in her black suit and skirt, with matching red stiletto. Her red satin button-down blouse beneath her suit undone a button which just right above her cleavage.

At this moment, I involuntary pictured her bare perky full breasts were securely wrapped beneath her satin red blouse and bra.

"I'll just take a seat here if that is fine with you?" I was snapped back by the beautiful blonde who was having an attractive smile. She was standing next to me, holding a tray of a cappuccino and a cheese bagel, and waited for my response.

I should stop ogling her like a creep for god sake!

I quickly brush off my fantasy and stuttered, "Y-yea, Sure." I gestured the seat to her.   

She served her food and drinks on the table to leave a space neatly. She took the tray to the counter before returned her seat to slip in. She took out a phone from her handbag place on her right side, followed by a laptop in the space she left.

Every single of her movement was graceful. She switched on her laptop and took a cup of her cappuccino and took a sip while waiting for her laptop to start up.

My skin slightly tingling when I heard she moaned in her drink and she said, "Your drink is delicious. I love the aroma of the coffee bean."

She licked the foam off her lips and turned to me said with a smile, "You got the great taste, Charli."

Of course, and look at you.    

Her smile grew wider and said, "I'm glad your dream come true, and the business is great."

I smiled and nodded my head at her because I was happy that she still remembers it. I only told her once when we were kiddo time. "Thank you," I finally spoke.

"You're welcome." She tilted her chin on her laptop and said, "I gotta work, later." She smiled at me once again before she back her attention to her laptop.

"Okay," I said softly and admired her stunning concentration face a few beats before back to my laptop.

"Hi, Marcus. Yea. Do you know The Newton's coffee shop?" I heard Summer asked through her phone call.

"Oh great, I'll see you here, see you." She said as she pressed the earphone to end the call.

There has a man in his mid 40 sat across Summer and they started discussing the product Summer was going to explain.

I did steal a few glace to see Summer worked. The way she explained and talked to the client looks professional and convincing. She was gifted to have good speech and confidence, and this job was like her second nature.

The man was happy with her explanation, they handshake as the man left. Summer continued back to her laptop, she started multitasking with a hand on her keyboard and a hand on her phone.

She had spent close to half-day at my place and I was more than happy about that. She already met more than 10 people. She stretched her arms and sighed, "Ughh! I will have 10 more clients to meet later."

I smiled as I serve a cup of Chamomile on her table and she grinned at me, "Thanks,"

I nodded my head at her as slipped in the seat across her and asked, "So, you'll meet another 10 guests here too?"

She hummed, "Hopefully. If they all agreed to meet me here is better." She took a sip of the Chamomile and continued, "That's so tiring if I drive around to other place meet them, you know."

She started typing and asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

I laughed, "I don't, of course. Why would I kick out someone who brings plenty of guests to here? I should appreciate that."

She giggled as she pointed at the Chamomile, "So, this is a little reward for your helpful customer?"

I hummed and made a thoughtful face, "If this is a reward, you have to get the same amount of guests to here for upcoming days."

She pressed her lips with nodded her head and said in determination, "That's not a problem at all. I could do that." She winked at me, "Thanks for your motivation."  

"I told ya, you're my lucky charm, Charli." I chuckled when I heard Summer had told me about this again and again. I locked the front door of the shop and turned to Summer said, "No, that's all from your hard work, Summer."

She smiled as she staring at me with her gleaming green eyes, "No, today I break a record. This is the first time I case closed all the potential clients at your coffee shop in a day. They must be too happy with your coffee and cheese bagels, so they very fast agreed with me."

"I'm glad you made a great record for today. Keep it up." I smiled.

"I swear this is my very first time hit this record, Charli. Well, I'll try again tomorrow,"

"Thank you for bringing upcoming potential customers to my place, then." 

"Gladly,"

She smiled at me as I locked my eyes at her striking green eyes. We fell into silence and remained our eyes locking. My heartbeat skipped a beat when her eyes trailed down to my lips and paused.

Her eyes linger on my lips for a few seconds and very soon flicked back to my eyes. They were glistening and started waterily, her face fell as she was pressing her lips in a thin line.

Before I could react to anything, I was engulfed with her warmth and her favorite fragrance. In the split second, I was overwhelmed with her in me as I wrapped my arms around her.

My heartbeat was fluttering when I inhaled the scent of her fragrance, I gently caressed the back of her head as she tightened her arms around me. 

My mind started playing the memories of us in my head, I had so many things wanted to ask her so badly. But, I didn't want to ruin this beautiful moment of us, and I wished she would just stay with me and didn't leave me again.

I felt my face already dampened with my tears and I heard her said with her trembling voice, "I miss you so much, Charli."

So am I...  

My heart was tightened after I heard her voice. I could hear her voice carried with pain, and I was so desperate to know what had happened to her untold story for the last few years.

It wasn't the time for me to ask about this, she needs comfort right now.

I gently pressed her head to caressed at a soothing pace and wishing to reduce the pain she had been carrying.

Somehow, our moment was cut off by Summer's sharp ringtone. I felt she swiftly pressed the earphone and back to embrace me.

"Hey, Lotte!" Summer greeted with a delighted tone. "Oh, I'm so sorry, baby girl. Mummy will be there in 10 okay?"

I silently wiped off my tears with a hand as I chuckled when I heard the muffled voice of Lotte started whining and complaining through the earphone.

"I pinkie promise, alright." Summer tried to convince, "Okay, I love you too, Lotte. You'll see me in 10, I promise." She ended the call and rested her face on my shoulder.

I was thinking it was time for her to go, I slowly loosened my arms around her, "Don't, Just a few more seconds, please." She pleaded as I held her back and said softly, "Okay."  

A shiver sent down my spine when she inhaled and mumbled on my shoulder, "I miss this so much,"

After a few beats, she sighed, "Okay, I have to go," we gradually pulled away, but remained in a circle. She used a hand to cradle my face with her teary eyes and said softly, "Thank you for giving me a chance to hug you instead of pushing me away."

We couldn't help but laugh at what she was trying to mean. She caressed my face and said, "We will have a talk one day, I promise."

I nodded my head and smiled at her, "Sure, take your time. I'll see you tomorrow."

A wide grin spread across her face and she said, "See you tomorrow." She gave a quick hug as she quickly jogged to her car. She turned to me said out loud, "Be ready a Chamomile for me tomorrow."

"Sure, good luck!" I waved at her as she laughed and waved at me before climbed into her car and left.  

*******************

Summer had spent her working time at my place for these few days. She most of the time fully occupied with her clients, and she would spend her break time to casual talk or making fun with me.

However, I was getting eager to have a talk with her. I still couldn't brush away that night when she was crying, but she already told me we would talk and I told her to take her time. I should be patient with that.  

Today I was slightly disappointed that Summer didn't come. Helen brought Charlotte and Nick to my place as usual. She was busy watching Nick for not letting him run and mess around.

Charlotte was sitting on my lap and played her Ipad. I caressed her hair and asked, "Charlotte, did your mom tell you where is she going?"

Charlotte tilted her face to see me with an arched brow and grinned, "Are you started missing my mom?"

I felt I was blushing as I quickly explained, "No, I'm just asking. I'm just curious because she came here every day except today. Also, I'm worried about her. Is she alright?"

Charlotte giggled "I know you like my mum, I can help you."

I shook my head "No Charlotte, don't."

She hummed "I'll tell my mom that you want to join us go to the theme park. She might be happy to know that."

I warned her "Charlotte if you tell your mum about this I'll ticklish you."

She grinned "It's worth it." I started ticklish her as she was laughing out loud, "Somebody helps me!"

I swiftly shushed her "Shhhh"

She laughed and said in victory, "I win."

I pleaded with her "Charlotte don't tell your mum about this, please."

She whined and she was getting out of her patient, "You and mum are so irritating."

I used an arm that snaked her waist to press her closer to me. I asked softly, "What do you mean, Charlotte?"

She huffed, "My mom asked many things about you. She keeps asking me that will I be happy if she invites you to join us to go to the theme park."

I was grinning like an idiot by knowing Summer was paying attention to me. I saw Lotte rolled her eyes and said, "She already knows I will be happy you join us."

She shook her head, "But, mom is forgetful. She always repeats this question to me every day."

I asked, "What did mom ask you about me?"

She snorted and mimicked her mom, "Lotte, do there have any boys or girls talk to Charli?"

I burst out laughing as I rested my chin on the top of Charlotte's head, "I feel bad for you, Charlotte." I gently brushed the lock of her hair and asked, "Do you want a chocolate muffin?"

I felt Charlotte nodded her head eagerly under my chin and said excitedly, "Yes, please!" 

"No," our heads snapped in the direction as my mood was lit up when I saw Summer was walking toward us. She stared at Charlotte sternly with crossed her arms.

I could hear Charlotte pleaded with her pursed lips, "Mummy, please."  

Summer shook her head and insisted, "You suppose only allowed to eat junk food once a week, but you have already been presumptuous for these few days, Lotte."

Charlotte huffed in disappointment and mumbled, "Fine,"

Summer slipped in the seat across us as her face softened and said, "But, we're going to the theme park this Saturday. You can eat whatever you like."

Charlotte squealed, "Yay!" she added, "Umm mum?"

Summer smiled, "Yes, Lotte?"

"Charli said she wants to join us to go to the theme park."

I gasped with my eyes widened as Summer's smile grew wider and stared at me "Really?"

I shook my head as Charlotte said "Yes because she misses you."

I swear I was dying in embarrassment.

"Charlotte, what did I tell you?" I asked in a small voice only for Charlotte to hear.

She grinned at me and said smugly, "You told me that you miss my mum and you can't wait to go to the theme park with us."

I'm officially die in embarrassment peacefully.

I quickly denied, "No, Charlotte. I didn't mean that."

She giggled and pointed at my face, "Yes you are! See, you're blushing."

"No no, I'm not. I just feel hot!" I said whatever to cover up myself.

"Do you think you're fine to join us, Charli?" I slowly turned to face Summer as she quickly added, "Look, I'm glad you're going to join us for sure. But, I will feel bad if you have to skip your work for joining us."

"No worries, I'll take care here while you guys have fun," Autumn said with a smile as she joined Summer.

"Since when you're here?" I asked curiously because she suddenly appeared from nowhere.

"Since Summer came here." She said.

"What?" I asked.

She chuckled as she made a light shrug, "You look enjoyable with your family time and I didn't want to interrupt you."

I buried my face on Charlotte's shoulder to cover my heated face and let them had their own.

"Just have fun with Summer and Charlotte, Charli. Don't worry about it." Autumn said to me once again as I merely made a hummed as my response because I was still embarrassing. 

"Thank you so much, Autumn." I heard Summer said.

"You're welcome, have fun," Autumn said as they started giggled and talked.

I felt Charlotte's hand was gently caressed my head and said excitedly, "Yay, Charli is going to the theme park with us."

I couldn't help myself, I smiled as I nodded my head. I gradually lifted my head and I saw Summer was smiling from ear to ear and engaging in the conversation with Autumn.

Summer took a glance at me and made a wink before back her attention to Autumn.

A/N: How's the baby step?