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“Great. Thanks.”
“Let me see it!” Olivia shrieked.
Jenna passed the photo over her shoulder as I backed us out of the driveway.
“Aw,” Olivia cooed, her voice pitching higher. Then, barely above a whisper, she added, “We look like a family.”
My foot nearly slipped off the brake.
“Uh…s-some music, maybe? That’ll be nice for the ride.” Jenna reached for the volume on the radio as I shifted into drive and hit the gas. Music filled the cab, which she quickly adjusted so it became unbalanced and spilled more into the back seat. Her fingers trembled as they hovered over the screen.
“It’s okay,” I said.
“Sorry.” She settled on a station, pressed her back against the leather, and finally looked over at me. Her face was red, the flush creeping up behind her aviators. The lenses shielded the highest points of her cheeks. “She’s just…She’s never said that before. I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to her.”
“It’s fine. You don’t need to.”
“She can’t say stuff like that.”
“Well, she’s not wrong in thinking it.” I glanced at the road again, turning us out of the development and heading in the direction of the freeway.
Jenna was silent beside me.
What was I saying? I needed to clarify that.
“I mean, you know…” I looked over at her again and gestured at my face. “The glasses.”
“Right. Of course.” She pulled hers off and folded them in her lap. Her gaze was shy and dropped away.
Christ, come on. This doesn’t need to be weird.
“What are you doing?” I asked, smirking at the road. “I believe it’s been requested that we match today.”
“Huh?”
“The glasses…They’re a requirement, Jenna. How could you?”
“Oh.” Laughter feathered through her voice. “I didn’t realize I was under obligation. So sorry.” She slipped the aviators back on and sat forward to smile at me. “Will you be keeping yours on in the pool?”
“I’m never taking them off. I was asked to wear them, very sweetly, I might add.” I glanced at her. A chuckle shook my chest. Again?
“What?”
“Nothing. I just winked at you.”
“Oh, really?” Jenna was grinning now. “I’m sorry I missed that. Too bad for that pledge you just made.”
“Yes. Too bad for that.” I shook my head at the road.
“It’s fine. You’ll just have to tell me every time you wink.”
Jenna’s quiet laughter tickled my ear. I was quick to join in.
This doesn’t need to be weird, I thought. And then immediately, It isn’t. Not even this—flirting.
Should it be?
I quickly shoved that question out of my head. It was one I couldn’t answer.
On the way, we talked about our favorite fireworks and played an interesting game of I Spy. Oliver and Olivia kept choosing the same object—my red shirt—and laughing at each other. They laughed even harder when Marley adorably tried to play. She didn’t quite understand the concept of the game and kept repeating everyone’s guesses. It took us a little over two hours to get to the house. I’d evaded Oliver’s questioning as best I could during the drive, keeping my responses vague.
We’re going to my friend’s house, an old buddy of mine from college. Did I say his house was ridiculous? It’s not that big.
I wanted this to be a surprise for him. For everyone. He’d know exactly where we were soon enough.
“Whoa.” Jenna leaned forward in her seat and gazed out the windshield as I parked us in the sloped driveway that circled an obnoxious, four-tiered fountain.
That’s new, I mused.
Jenna slowly peered over at me. “Who is your friend?”
I laughed and cut the engine, throwing my door open. “You guys ready?”
The twins chanted in exuberance as they climbed out of the truck. Marley giggled and squealed, grinning against my neck when I plucked her out of her seat.
“Daddy, go swinnin’?” she asked.
“Yeah, baby. We’re going swimming.”
Jenna insisted on carrying the diaper bag, scooping it up while I was reaching in the front seat for my hat. I slipped it on backward.
“What? My arms are free,” she said, catching the look I gave her before I turned to shut the door.
I slid the beach tote up my arm. “I can handle all the bags.”
“Nope. I want this or her, and she seems to be very content right where she is.” Jenna smiled and stepped closer, tickling Marley’s belly. “You like that, don’t you? You like it when Dad—dy,” she stammered. Then her mouth slammed shut and she quickly spun away.
I chuckled. “You all right?”
“Fine.” She grinned at me over her shoulder, no longer flustered.
Did I imagine her reaction? Huh. Okay. Maybe that was nothing.
Even though Davis always had an open-door policy with me, I still rang the bell when I stepped up onto the porch. It had been two years. Plus, I knew the impact it would have if he…
Davis flung the door open and grinned. “S’up? You made it!”
“Hey, man.” We passed on handshakes and settled for hugs, slapping each other’s backs loudly.
