Summer had made her choice, she didn't really know if she made the right one but only time would tell. Now she had to go 3 months without actually seeing the guy she picked. Why? Well because if it got out who she picked before the Finale aired there went the ratings and then that meant a breech in the contract and a bunch of other things Summer didn't want to deal with. But that time also gave her time to think, and when she didn't want to think she had her best friends wedding to keep her mind occupied. Summer got out of the car and the driver began getting her bags for her. She grabbed her purse and made her way to the front door. Tonight she would finally meet the groom to be. She knocked on the front door waiting looking back watching her bags get unloaded. Marissa finally came to the door and both girls squealed when they saw each other. They pulled each other into a tight embrace still yelling. Ryan came running out of the living room to see if everything was okay and let out a sigh of relife when he saw the two girls embracing. Summer noticed Ryan walk or more like run into the room so she loosened her grip on Marissa.
"You must be Ryan" Summer said flashing him a polite smile while shaking his hand.
"And you must be the best friend" Ryan said
Marissa watched with a smile on her face as her best friend and fiancé met for the first time.
"So Atwood want to be a gentleman and help me with my bags?" Summer asked rising an eyebrow
Ryan shrugged his shoulders going outside and began bringing the bags inside.
"So I hope you don't mind but we are having dinner with Ryan's family tonight" Marissa said nervously
"Why would I mind?" Summer asked trying to be the perfect guess
"Because I know you just want to relax but its something we do every Thursday night and its our night to host"
"That's great does that mean I will meet the best man as well?" Summer joked
"Didn't you just go through 30 guys do you really want another one" Marissa teased
"Yeah well I wont get to be with Mr. Right for another 3 months got to entertain myself somehow"
Marissa laughed. "Why don't I show you your room" Marissa said changing the subject
The girls went upstairs and Marissa led Summer to the guest room which also included an ensuite bathroom.
"Damn Coop this is a nice place you got here"
"Yeah, Ryan designed and built it himself"
"Impressive" Summer said while Ryan entered the room dropping her bags
"I didn't know it was possible for someone to have this many bags"
"It takes work to be this good, you'll learn" Summer said shrugging her shoulders
"Well we will let you settle in, because Ryan has to start dinner"
Summer shook her head lifting one of the bags onto the bed and began opening it
"Everyone will be here in a half hour" Marissa said before leaving.
Summer had heard Ryan's family arrived about ten minutes ago she finished getting ready then went downstairs. She heard everyone talking in the kitchen so she made her way inside and instantly was stunned when she saw the back of Seth Cohen's head. He had his arms wrapped around a girl that Summer recognized but just didn't know from where.
"Oh Sum, this is Ryan's adoptive family, This is Sandy, Kirsten and Sophie" Marissa said pointing them all out as she went along
"And this is his brother and the best man Seth and his girlfriend Stevie"
When Seth head Marissa say her best friends name he prayed to both Moses and Jesus that it wasn't the Summer who broke his heart only a month ago.
When he turned around he realized he was not that lucky because he locked eyes with Summer and he felt his heart re-shatter all over again.
"Cohen" Summer whispered
Everyone except was confused as they watched both of them stare at one another. Then it dawned on Kirsten on why they both looked like deer caught in headlights.
"Coop can I talk to you?" Summer said trying to keep her composer
Marissa nodded her head and rushed out of the room with Summer.
"That's the girl isn't it?" Kirsten asked Seth
He simply nodded his head then swallowed "I will be right back" Seth said before walking outside, Stevie went to follow worried but Ryan stepped up "Let me"
Stevie went to protest but it was to late Ryan was gone.
"So that's the girl huh?" he asked sitting next to Seth on one of the lawn chairs they had by the pool.
"Yeah, I thought I would never have to see her again" Seth said his voice very distant.
"Do you still love her?" Ryan asked bluntly
Seth just shook his head yes " But that doesn't matter, because we both have someone else plus she made it clear she didn't love me" Seth said standing up
"So what are you going to do?" Ryan asked worried about his brother
"The same thing I have been trying to do… move on"
"You sure that is a good idea?"
"What other choice do I have?"
"You could talk to her because considering her reaction there is still something there"
"Disgust, I mean you saw her she is kinda out of my league just looks wise and when you get to know her you will think I was dreaming" Seth said shrugging his shoulders
"I think your making a mistake" Ryan said hoping that it would change his mind
"Well don't you worry about me, I mean you're the one who is getting married in two months" Seth said trying to shit the attention away from himself
Ryan opened his mouth to talk but Marissa walked out "Seth… Summer would like to talk to you"
Seth looked at Ryan then at Marissa and went inside to find Summer.
He found Summer sitting in the guest room on the bed just staring at the wall.
"You wanted to talk to me?" Seth asked after he walked in and Summer didn't even acknowledge his presence.
"Yeah" Summer said the pausing she fought her every urge to look at Seth because she knew it would make this harder
"We can't make this about us, we cant mess up the wedding because for the first time Marissa is truly happy and I swear if you ruin that for her by twisting this cruel event into something about us I will make sure you never have children"
"I take it this is one of your rage blackouts" Seth tried joking but Summer just glared at him
"Look I was kidding but I agree"
"Good" Summer whispered
"Good" Seth repeated and they stood there in silence
"We should get back" Summer said getting up.
"You go ahead I will be down in a moment" Seth said and Summer walked past him. He closed his eyes after she left and took a deep breath this was going to be hard.
Once Summer was out of the room she leaned against the door and ran her fingers through her hair and sighed in frustration. She had just managed to get Seth out of her mind and now he was going to be an everyday reminder. She heard him walking so she quickly made her way downstairs before he saw her.
Once Summer got downstairs she received a worried look from her best friend. Summer smiled at her and then went over to Sandy and Kirsten.
"Sorry about that I am Summer" she said trying to get rid of some of the tension in the room.
"Sandy Cohen" Sandy said before hugging Summer. Summer was caught off guard by this but smiled still. Then she moved to Kirsten who also hugged Summer. "Kirsten" she said then while she was pulling away.
"And this little angle is Sophie" Kirsten said while hugging her daughter who looked embarrassed
"Mom, not in front of Summer" she whispered but Summer could hear here clearly.
Summer bent down so she way eye level with Sophie "That is a pretty name" Summer said
Sophie smiled "Thanks I got it from my Nana"
Summer smiled and heard Seth enter the room, but acted as if she didn't. He walked over standing next to Stevie but she did notice how he was no longer touching her.
Summer then stood up and shifter her attention to Stevie. Summer outstretched her hand. "And you are?' Summer asked politely
"I'm Stevie, we actually met two days ago" Stevie reminded her with a hopeful smile
"Oh that's where I recognized you from" Summer said in a fake tone that only Seth and Marissa caught onto
"Yeah you were on a date with Adam I believe"
"That's right" Summer said now uncomfortable
"I think that is so great I hope you picked him" Stevie said trying to start conversation
"Yeah, well you will have to watch the show to find out" Summer said
"I plan on it" Stevie said and Summer had to hold back her comment when she noticed Seth shocked expression.
"Really?" he asked obviously uncomfortable
"Yeah, why is that so weird?" Stevie asked confused
"It's not" Seth said trying to sound okay with it.
Ryan noticed Seth failing so he jumped in "Well dinner is ready lets eat"
Seth was the first to react "Sounds great I'm starving"
Dinner was extremely quite because everyone but Stevie had caught onto the tension between Seth and Summer. Stevie had been grilling Summer the entire time and when Seth tried to get her to stop she just ignored him.
"So are there any guys you regret getting rid of? Stevie asked
Seth who was protesting got suddenly silent and locked eyes with Summer.
"There is one, but by the time I realized it he had already moved on"
"What a jackass" Stevie said in disbelief
Seth looked over at Stevie "Give the guy a break, I'm sure she wasn't perfect and he moved on so fast because Summer wouldn't give him a chance to explain or something"
Stevie looked at him confused "Or maybe he was in love with his ex-girlfriend probably still in denail" Summer said bitterly
"Well I certain he is not, but unlike some people who have no hearts he can actually be friends with his ex's"
"Obviously not all of them" Marissa muttered
"Maybe we should move onto dessert" Ryan said no longer enjoying the little spat between Seth and Summer.
"That is a great idea" Sandy said
"Seth honey will you help me get dessert?" Kirsten asked while getting up
"Why don't me and Summer help you as well" Marissa said standing up glaring at Summer
Both got up quietly "How many people does it take to get ice cream?" Sophie asked as the four went into the kitchen and shut the door.
"Could you two be any more obvious?" Marissa asked annoyed
"Well we cant be to bad Seth's stupid whore hasn't caught on that he is the man whore we are talking about"
"This is my son we are talking about" Kirsten said giving Summer a disapproving "Summer may I please speak to you alone"
Summer was suddenly embarrassed by her actions so she simply nodded her head in agreement.
"You two get the ice cream ready we will be back" Kirsten said leading Summer out by the pool.
"Look I am sorry if I offended you by anything I said" Summer started
"Honey don't apologize, I don't blame either one of you. This is a bad position to be in let alone with someone you both obviously still care about"
Summer opened her mouth to protest but Kirsten stopped her "Let me talk, you see I was in a similar situation once. It was right after I graduated high school and once I started college. See I was still dating my his school sweetheart which ironically happens to be Marissa's dad, then I went to Berkely and met in fell in love with Sandy. At first I couldn't make up my mind and so I stayed with Jimmy while just being friends with Sandy. But I couldn't fight it and eventually I realized that Sandy was the man for me. I left Jimmy and have been with Sandy ever since."
Summer looked confused as to why Kirsten was telling her this story.
"You are caught between two men whether you want to admit it or not. I want you to know that it is going to be hard and if you ever want someone to talk to I am here because I know exactly what you are going through and you will figure out which one of them is your Sandy Cohen"
"But I'm over Seth"
"Summer" Kirsten said in a tone that showed her disbelief
"Okay, even if I blew it"
"You only blew it if he was over you, which he is not even close. That girl in there is what he uses to distract himself from thinking of you 24/7"
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"For two reasons because like I said I know where you are coming from and because I cannot stand that Stevie girl quoting you she is a stupid whore"
Summer laughed a little "Thank you" she said sincerely
"Now lets go get some ice cream"
Summer nodded her head in agreement and walked inside behind Kirsten. Seth and Marissa were in the kitchen still and didn't notice when they walked in.
"So do you know who she picked?" Seth asked trying to sound non-chalant about it
"Nope, she can't say" Marissa said smiling to herself
"Oh, right"
"Your not over her are you?" Marissa asked
Seth went to answer the question, but Kirsten made there presence known "Is the ice cream ready?" she asked
Seth gave her a thankful smile and blushed a little when looking at Summer.
"We are all set" Marissa said busying herself by grabbing the now full bowls. The other three grabbed a bowl as well and made there way into the dining room.
"Its about time" Sophie said impatiently
Seth sat back down next to Stevie and handed her a bowl of ice cream. He then watched everyone else in the room and his attention stopped when Summer sat down next to his little sister and handed her a bowl of ice cream. They then began to share small talk that Seth couldn't hear but he was impressed at how well Summer was doing with Sophie considering when Stevie tried saying anything to Sophie she would just roll her eyes if not ignore her completely.
After ice cream Ryan and Marissa controlled the conversation with talk about the wedding. Which was more then okay with Seth and Summer who were lost in there thoughts about who was there Sandy Cohen.