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“To second chances.” Alissa lifted her mug as well.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Caitlin pulled the brim of her hat down to protect her eyes from the sun glinting off the ocean. Pearl and Michael were right along the shore, going over how to surf. They hadn’t gotten into the water yet, but Pearl was having a blast learning how to hop up on the board, even on land.
Caitlin’s heart swelled. The sight of the two of them made it impossible to keep a smile off her face. He and Pearl were adorable together, and Pearl already adored him, hanging on his every word. The proud smile on his face was so genuine and warm.
What would a future be like with Michael? More Saturdays like this, watching them surf together? Afternoons on his boat, playing games and relaxing in the sun? It had been so hard looking to the future just a few weeks ago, but now doing so filled Caitlin with excitement.
“Mommy, come join us! We’re getting in the water!” Pearl shouted.
“I’m okay right here,” Caitlin said. “You two have fun!”
Michael held out a hand to Pearl, as if to tell her to stay put, and started making his way toward Caitlin. The smile on his face was mischievous and a little boyish, making Caitlin’s heart skip.
“Come on,” he said, extending his arms toward her. “It’ll be fun.”
“Michael…” Caitlin suppressed a smile as Michael came closer, stooping low. He scooped her up before she could scuttle away. “Michael!”
“It’ll be fun,” he said, laughing.
Caitlin couldn’t help but laugh too. Just like that, he’d broken her out of her seriousness. It was one of her favorite things about him.
Michael put her down into the water, Pearl cheering in the background.
“Okay, you’ve got me here,” Caitlin said, still laughing.
“Watch me!” Pearl grabbed her board. “I’m gonna try to get up now.”
“Go for it.” Caitlin waded backward, giving them space.
Michael helped Pearl paddle along, catching a little swell and getting on her knees on the board. Caitlin applauded and Pearl beamed.
“Again!” Pearl rolled off the board.
Caitlin swam a little deeper, watching Pearl get up on the board and start catching some waves. When she fell off, Michael was right there to catch her and help her up with an encouraging word.
Eventually, Pearl was good enough to try a wave without her and Michael very close to her. As Pearl waited on her board for the proper wave, Caitlin leaned against Michael’s side.
“Thank you for doing this for Pearl,” Caitlin said.
“It’s my pleasure. I love teaching kids how to surf,” he said. “I’d love for this to go on forever.”
The depth of meaning in his words gave her pause. He really wanted to do this?
“Are you ready to date someone with a kid, fresh off a divorce? Going from being a carefree bachelor to that would be a huge jump.”
Michael shrugged, putting his arm around Caitlin. “Remember what I said about finding the right girl? Nothing will stop me when I know I’ve found the right one.”
The weight and warmth of his arm comforted and steadied her while also making her heart beat harder. She could tell he meant every word and the confidence in his voice meant so much to her. He was so sure—about her and Pearl. And she knew that he wasn’t the kind of person to go after something he was unsure of, no matter what it was.
Risking her heart was terrifying. The heartbreak of her marriage falling apart was the most emotionally difficult thing she’d ever faced. It wasn’t just heartbreak—it was fear and confusion. It was looking back wondering what could have been done differently, the possibilities endless.
The idea of putting her heart out there and possibly going through that again was still scary, but much less than it was before she met him. Now she knew that the man who became her friend first was the one she was going to open herself up to again. Having that kind of foundation meant so much.
“If you’re in, I’m in too,” she said. “I want to give this a try.”
* * *
