Page 95 of Crazy Love

It’s September twelfth and Sam is twelve today.

“I can’t believe you’re twelve,” Penn says wistfully.

“I’m ready,” Sam says, stuffing his face with scrambled eggs and then barely swallowing before he takes a huge bite of waffle. I swear it’s like I can see him growing taller right before my eyes.

“What if we go out for a little while?” Penn suggests. “Lunch at Starlight Cafe? Or at least a stop into Serendipity? It’s such a nice day out.”

“That sounds good to me,” Sam says.

“Can I have a strawberry shake?” Winnie asks.

There’s still a giddy feeling in the air when Winnie speaks, even though she’s been doing it for a while now.

“Absolutely,” Penn says, reaching out to bop her nose.

She giggles and it’s the best sound in the world. Watching her personality break out more all the time is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve experienced.

“Isn’t the Pop-Up Market going on this weekend?” I ask.

“Oh yeah, you’re right. Even better.” Penn grins at me. “How soon can we go?”

Sam starts eating faster and I laugh. “There’s time to chew your food. I think as soon as we’re done eating and brushing teeth, we can go…”

Silver Hills is buzzing when we park and walk down Jupiter Lane. The Pixie Pop-Up Market is in full swing, and everyone is out and about, laughing and chatting on the sidewalks instead of hanging out inside the shops.

Clara’s standing outside Luminary Coffeehouse and waves when she sees us coming.

“There’s the perfect family to start off the dancing,” she calls.

“Are we sure about that?” Penn asks. “We might cause too much of a commotion.”

“Like you would ever mind that,” she says, laughing.

Penn’s smile grows. “Guess you’ve got a point there. And it’s Sam’s birthday, so I think it’s the best day for a little dancing.”

Clara cues up “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars on her phone, and the second that familiar beat hits, we all spring into action. Even Winnie.

Sam holds out his hand to her and spins her around and her head falls back as she laughs. Penn busts out a smooth shoulder roll thing that makes me stop mid-step because he isstillmanaging to surprise me with his moves. Sam grins from ear to ear, and when Penn does a high kick that almost takes Clara’s head off, Sam bursts out laughing. I join in, stepping in sync with Penn and Winnie, until we’re all moving together in a weird little flash mob. At the end, Penn lowers me in a dramatic dip, low enough that I’m clutching his shirt to keep from tipping over. We’re all out of breath when Clara raises her hands over her head and cheers with the rest of the crowd who’s gathered.

“That was perfect,” Clara sings. “You guys win.”

“What did we win?” Sam asks excitedly.

“Free drinks.”

“Come on, Clara. We’ll pay,” Penn says, handing her the cash. “But I am proud of that high kick.”

Winnie giggles and we all grin at her.

“And how about our Winnie dancing her little heart out?” Penn says.

She wraps her arms around his waist and looks up at him. Yeah, she’s managed to fall madly in love with Penn too. She reaches out her hand to me and I go over there and hug them both, tugging Sam into the fold.

“Such a beautiful family,” Clara says, sniffling. She clears her throat and waves a hand over her eyes. “Goodness, it’s windy out here.”

We sip our coffees and hot chocolates as we drift through the market, picking up a few trinkets—a beaded bracelet for Winnie, a cool wooden carving of a dog for Sam, and a gorgeous kite that Sam says will belegendaryby the water.

Eventually we end up at Serendipity’s booth for shakes and Greer and Wyndham burst into song when they see Sam.

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