Chapter 102

AT first, Amelia had been stiff, sitting with her arms crossed, her smile only for Hazel. Adrian, too, had seemed unsure, hesitant even as Hazel chattered about the ducks swimming across the lake.

But as the minutes ticked by, something softened. Hazel had that effect on them, her laughter was too contagious, her innocence too pure. She made jokes, demanded they both try the strawberry pancakes she ordered, and insisted they share stories of when she was a baby.

“Mommy, remember when I spilled juice all over Daddy’s shoes?” Hazel giggled, syrup smeared on her lips.

Adrian chuckled, shaking his head.

“How could I forget? I had just bought them that morning.”

Amelia found herself laughing too, despite the wall she tried to hold up. The sound of her own laughter startled her, it was too easy, too natural. For a brief spell, it almost felt like old times. Like family.

“I had almost spanked your ass until—”

“Yeah,” Adrian cut in gently, their eye