I FINISHED THE last of my assignment and sent it off to my tutor for a review when Carter knocks on the guest room door and lets himself in.

He falls onto the bed causing it to shake from his impact.

"So how did it go?" I ask.

He doesn't look angry. His previous nerves look to be gone and replaced with a solemn resoluteness as he tells me how his conversation with his dad went.

It relieves me to hear the path they've created towards repairing their relationship. I can't help but think about my family and the steps we would need to take to become whole again. Unfortunately, as I think about it, I know deep down there's no love left to repair. Our only resolution would be an emotional and financial breakup.

I close my laptop and scoot up to him. "So what do we do now?"

"Are you done with your work for the day?" He asks.

"Yes."

"You sure?" He starts rubbing my shoulders. "Because you still look tense. I think we both need a distraction if we're gonna have a goodnight's sleep."

"Are you going to distract me first or am I going to distract you?" I smile.

He kisses my earlobe. "How about we distract each other at the same time?"

And that's what we spend half of the night doing. Putting aside all or stress and hardships to come together as one. The pillow was definitely needed this time.

***

We spend the last two days at the Reyes household rebuilding relationships and getting to know everyone better. We all go strawberry picking the next morning at a nearby local farm, even Mr. Reyes. He and Carter break apart from us at one point, and engage in a civil conversation for a few minutes.

When they come back, there's no lingering tension and we're all able to enjoy running through the fields and helping a panicked Jennifer stop Mila from devouring the strawberries before she gets the chance to thoroughly wash them.

After strawberry picking, Carter takes me to the park, where we spend time swinging on swings we're much too old for, and sliding down slides that could break apart from our weight.

He shows me the basketball court where he first started playing, and the rest of our time is spent dribbling the ball he brought back and forth and talking.

"Your birthday is coming up, you know," I say, throwing the ball towards him. "The big 21, are you excited?

He catches it and starts dribbling. "So excited. Can't wait to have my first drink."

I pause and look up at him and he bursts into laughter at my site.

"It's a joke." He raises his hands. "I do that sometimes."

"I know..."

He flings the ball at the net and makes it in easily. "I don't care about my birthday. It's not a big deal."

I shrug at him, knowing I want to do something for him and knowing the task will be stressful.

"Are you happy you came back home?" I say.

"I guess." He clears his throat. "I mean, yeah, I am glad. I got comfortable harboring all that anger for so long, but now that it's simmering, it's actually a relief. I can't keep blaming everything on my dad, I have to take accountability for my mistakes as well, and that's what I'm going to do."

"That's a healthy realization to come to." I try to make a shot and miss the net completely, throwing it towards the outer bench instead.

Carter runs for it before I can and comes back smiling. "The semester is almost done, at least. Only a few more weeks until summer." He looks down at the ball he bounces, then looks back up at me with a wondering expression. "What are we gonna do then?"

He's referring to our relationship. It took so much to get to this point that we haven't even discussed where we're gonna go in the future. I haven't really thought of it, I've very much been in the present.

"Um," I try to think. "I don't know. I've been applying and I'm gonna start interviewing for co-opts and internships. All the healthcare facilities are located near Pennwood."

"But I'm gonna be here for the summer, four hours from Pennwood," he says.

"Yeah, that might be an issue."

"There's a hospital ten minutes from here. I don't want to make you change your plans or anything. If you think there's a great program near school and you want to go with that, then we can work things out, but if you want to look into opportunities near here, I'm sure Jennifer wouldn't mind letting you take the guest room for the summer."

"I do sort of like it here. It's calm compared to Philly." I attempt another throw and this time it makes the net. "I'll do some research on the facilities near here. Maybe I'll apply to one."

His face lights up and I want to ask him where he sees us going in the future, but I talk myself out of it. I feel like if I can't even say I love him, then I don't really have the right to badger him about his intentions down the line. It's eating at me, I just wish I could get the words out. I know I feel them, I'm almost certain of it.

It's not like I want him to get on his knees and propose. Hell no, I guess I just want more confirmation that he doesn't want to back out.

Considering he wants to spend the summer with me, that's the best confirmation I can get at the moment.

***

I spend most of the last day away from Carter. After some coaxing, he's agreed to accompany his dad to check out the business, and I've been left to spend the day with Jennifer and Mila.

Between her and Jake, my baby fever is at an all time high. Especially watching her splash around during her swimming class.

After her class is over, we buy some groceries then stop by Starbucks. Jennifer and I get an espresso drink while Mila gets lemonade and a cake pop.

"It's been a successful week," Jennifer says. "I really enjoyed getting to know you and I want to thank you for convincing Carter to come back home and stay for so long."

I wave her off "Oh, I didn't do any convincing. He agreed on his own."

"But it was while you two were together, right?"

"Well no. I mean, we were physically together." I cringe the moment the words come out. "Not like that, I meant that we were in the same room because I was helping him get through the flu, but we weren't together during that time. It was completely innocent."

"Okay." She chuckles. "I really do think you've helped him a lot, though. I'm not saying you're some magical damaged boy healer, but there has been a big difference in him since he's gotten with you. You were able to break down a wall he's kept held up for half of his life at this point. Because of that, he's pushing himself to continue to break down more walls."

I shrink at her words, discomfort filling me. I don't like praise, especially when I feel like I don't deserve it.

"I think it's completely mutual. We both had similar beliefs, it was just about realizing they're not completely healthy and working towards trying new things."

"That's a very good mindset. Hold onto that," she says, driving us home.

I help her prepare dinner when we get back, and that's when she starts acting weird. It starts with questions about what outfits I've brought with me, then she surveys my hair and questions my makeup.

As we prepare the steaks, she insists three will be enough and changes the subject every time I voice concern about the amount of potatoes she wants peeled.

When I finish mashing the potatoes, she asks for the time, then turns to me. "Alright, you should go get cleaned up."

I sniff myself self-consciously. "Do I smell or something?"

"No, it's just. You should go get cleaned up. I think you really want to put on something fresh," she says.

"Okay." I laugh. "Sorry for stinking up your kitchen."

She sighs. "adios mio, I suck at this. You smell lovely, honey. It's just that Carter is coming to pick you up and take you somewhere nice for dinner, so I want to give you the chance to get ready."

"I think I will go clean up then." My heart flutters as I head upstairs and take a quick shower.

This is the last thing I expected, especially since we leave tonight so Carter can make his bootcamp session tomorrow morning. I'm excited though, elated, as I lotion my body and decide on wearing the white sundress I've had for ages but barely worn.

I keep my makeup light, but still apply more than I usually wear. The last thing I need to do is my eyeliner, and it is without a doubt, the one makeup trip I suck at. I grab my phone and Facetime Aleena. The line rights and rings, but she doesn't pick up.

Right when it goes dead it lights back up with a Facetime request from Aleena.

"Hey, girl. How's casa Reyes?" She looks to be lying down and holds the screen close to her face.

"Carter is taking me on a date and I need help with my eyeliner."

"Really?" She sits up and accidentally shifts the camera, flashing me with her bare chest.

"Didn't know I also needed a dose of your titties, but thanks. It's really helping my nerves."

"I'm sorry." She hurriedly pulls a sheet over herself.

"Were you?" I hate to ask, but she's basically just been caught red handed "Were you diddling yourself?

"Summer!" She shrieks with offense.

A long bang comes from her background and I hear a faint deep voice. "Sorry, dropped your mirror."

"Who's that?" I ask.

"What? No one, girl," she says with hurry. "I'm obviously naked and touching myself and I want to continue, so I'll say use the tape method."

"But the tape method is still iffy for me, just talk me through it."

"Tape method girl, trust the tape. I gotta go."

It looks like someone's reached for her phone and I see a dark thumb before the line goes dead. She's definitely messing with Darren. I can't wait to embarrass her about it.

In the end, I decide against using eyeliner and by the time I finish straightening my hair, a knock comes at my door and Carter lets himself in.

I pat down my dress and when I look back up, we both lock eyes with each other.

He looks amazing in his blue button down shirt and black slacks. His hair is perfectly curly, and his face is as handsome as ever. It's insane how attracted I am to him.

"You're so beautiful." He says, sounding breathless.

"So are you," I reply.

He laughs and shakes his head, snaking his arm around my shoulder to lead us out. "You think I'm beautiful?"

"I think you're gorgeous." I grip his waist.

Jennifer insists on taking photos of us like we're going to prom. Carter is annoyed by it, and I constantly have to whisper in his ear and remind him to smile. Every time my breath fans his ear, his face immediately turns into a smile; and after a few shots, I plant a kiss on his cheek then as one final move to satisfy Jennifer, I grab his face and kiss him gently on the lips.

"That's enough, right?" Carter calls to Jennifer. "We don't want to miss our reservation. I already caused that once."

"No, no, of course not. Go on, children. Enjoy your time." She steps away from the door to let us out. "Don't enjoy it too much, though. No grandbabies before you're married."

Carter groans, hiding his face in his hands, while I strategically turn away from her gaze until we get to his car.

He drives for half an hour until we get to a big plaza with a few high end stores, restaurants and a Whole Foods.

He parks in the lot for a restaurant called Maggiano's, and it doesn't take me long to realize he's making up for our first date.

The place looks almost like a big black and white striped mansion on the outside. The inside has the classic look of a rustic italian restaurant, even down to the red and white checkered tablecloths and dark chairs.

We're seated and we place our orders without much wait time. Carter get the alfredo while I get the chicken parmesan.

The dimmed lights and soft classical music makes the atmosphere feel romantic, and Carter watches me with such adoring eyes that I have to shy away from his gaze.

He twirls some of his pasta and raises his fork up to feed me, and in turn, I do the same with my chicken.

I never thought I'd be this corny, this... in love.

I feel it now, the strong and heavy feeling of pure romantic love. I can't deny it and I can no longer run from it. It's here and I'm afraid it won't go away, I'm afraid but I'm also relieved. Now all I need to do is tell him.

The food is amazing and our conversation stays light and playful through the whole meal. I keep my deep thoughts to myself for now.

"Do you really think they're all gonna get away with the heist at the end?" Carter asks.

"For the most part, I think that's where they're heading. Killing off Nairobi was the ultimate sacrifice. They won't make anything as extreme." I argue my point.

"I think they're all gonna die, but we just have to go home and finish the last few episodes. Can't believe you got me hooked on some Netflix show."

"It's not just some Netflix show its La Casa De Papel, one of the best shows Netflix ever picked up," I say.

"Your pronunciation is getting better. Obnoxiously repeating every line every character says seems to be working out for you."

I beam at him. "Thank you."

We finish our chocolate cake for dessert, and Carter pulls the check out of my hand before I can look at it, and puts down his credit card.

After dinner, we walk hand in hand around the plaza, mostly window shopping since most of the shops are closing down. When an innocent family walks past and witnesses our intense making out with shocked eyes, we settle on returning to Carter's home and starting our journey back to school.

I feel some sadness hugging Jennifer and Mila goodbye, I feel even more sadness watching their reactions to Carter leaving.

We've both changed into sweats and tights, and have all our items neatly placed back in our bags.

Mila cries hugging Carter and grips his shirt, refusing to let him free. Mr. Reyes and Jennifer have to use their strength to detach her tiny hands from his shirt. Carter kisses her cheek once more and promises to come back in a few weeks.

Mila still doesn't let up, so Jennifer hugs him and I quickly, and takes her away to get ready for bed.

Carter and Mr. Reyes face each other next and Carter decides to hold his hand out to shake his dad's. Mr. Reyes looks past his hand and pulls him into a tight hug. When he pulls away, he taps Carter on the cheek and nods at him.

"It was a pleasure having you here, Summer. Please, don't be a stranger," Mr. Reyes seems to be in an affectionate mood and he pulls me into a hug too. "Thank you for making my son happy." He whispers in my ear when he gets close.

I stand back, trying to stop the tears forming in my eyes. I must be PMSing again.

He lets us out into the dark night, and watches by the door as we get in the car and pull off. He walks up to the sidewalk, and I can see him standing by the street watching Carter's car all the way down the block until we turn.

"You ready to finish this semester off strong?" Carter asks, connecting his phone to the speakers and blasting Tiny Dancer. 

 We get on the highway with the windows down and the wind is blowing through my hair. I watch his side profile for a while. Just taking him in quietly before I respond. 

"I love you."