About last summer

Aya turns 2

I graduated the following year and began writing my stories full time. I went on writers retreats and met lots of dreamy men, latching on to Peter Humphries, a British man I met in Bali.

"I have to go back to LA, my niece Aya turns two this weekend."

"Can I come?" He asked.

"To a kids party?"

"It'll be fun" he pressed so I agreed.

Jake insisted on holding the party at Mum's Malibu beach house, so we rented a convertible and drove down the costal road from LAX.

"Who's car is that?" Peter asked, eyeing up the Tesla in the drive way.

"No idea" I said, rummaging in the boot for our bags and Aya's presents.

"Let me take those" he said, taking them from me.

"Thanks" I said, letting us into the house.

Mina and Jake had done well, lining the house with balloons and flowers, with little Aya signs.

The party was in full swing out back, little people everywhere and adults drinking glasses of Rose.

"Mic Mic!" Aya screamed as I stepped into the back garden.

"Oh there she is, the most beautiful birthday girl I have ever seen" I picked her up and spun her round.

"I am two" she said, holding up three fingers. I put one down for her.

"Yes you are, happy birthday" I said, kissing her cheeks. "My best girl".

I popped her down and greeted the other guests, looking round for Jake and Mina.

"Sis!" Jake came out from behind the bar and gave me a hug and a kiss. "So glad you could make it".

"I wouldn't miss this for the world" I rubbed his back. "Where's Mina?"

"She's just inside showing Soreya around" he explained.

"Who's Soreya?" I asked.

"Abe's girlfriend"

He read the expression on my face.

"You didn't know?"

I shook my head. I'd tried to push all thoughts of Abe out of my head for the past 2 years.

"Hey Miccie" I could hear Abe behind me.

"Hey Abraham"

"You're mad at me already?" He looked down at the floor.

"This is my boyfriend, Peter" I said, introducing Peter.

Abe took one look at this short back and sides and top knot and broke into a smile.

"Nice to meet you Peter" he said, shaking his hand.

"We're doing the cake, come on" Jake broke the tension and hurried us towards Mina who was walking out with the cake.

I held on to Aya, my name sake as she blew out her candles.

"Can I get a photo of the baby with her aunties and uncles please!" The photographer asked.

"Raya" Aya called out, reaching for a stunning blonde.

"She's not your aunty, mija" I said, pushing her hands down, put she just strained and reached again. "Ok, aunty Raya, you take her".

"Sorry" Soreya said, as she took her and we all shuffled round until I was next to Abe on the end.

"Aunty Raya huh? So you've been brining your little girlfriend around my niece and now she thinks that's her aunty? You're not even related to us".

"Don't be like this."

"Do you hear her saying uncle Peter? I don't think so" I muttered.

"What was I supposed to do? Not move on?"

"You broke up with me Abe." I pointed out.

"And you never spoke to me for two years, so I moved on." He said bluntly.

"Stop bringing your hoes around my niece"I snapped.

"She's not a hoe. I'm thinking of marrying her."

"WHAT?" I whisper yelled.

"Cheese!!!!" The photographer shouted and we paused arguing for just a second.

"What does it matter to you?"

"It doesn't" I stated and moved away.

I made a point to avoid Abe and Soreya at all costs for the remainder of the day, heading to bed at around 11pm.

"Wait!" Mina called out as I opened my bedroom door, to find someone else things in there.

"Who's stuff is this?"

"Mine" Soreya shouted up.

"Move it"

"What, why?"

"This is my room!" I started to put her things back into a suitcase like a wild woman.

"What are you doing?!" Abe came to join me in the room.

"Can't you sleep with her in another room. This is my room" I said, carrying on packing her bags.

"Don't be such a kid, you're 22" he said, taking things back out of the case.

"You're not having sex with her in my bed Abe".

"Why do you care?!" He asked, frustrated.

'Because I still love you' I thought.

"Answer me then" he pushed but I said nothing.

"Please just choose another room" I zipped the suitcase and handed it to him.

"Whatever".