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I was prompted to ask the kids if they wanted anything to eat yet, but their attention was solely on the pool. I wasn’t even sure they’d noticed anything else. I couldn’t blame them. It was fucking excessive, but nice. I understood the appeal.
The pool was freeform, with three rock waterfalls, a spa Jacuzzi, and a giant custom slide built into a boulder. There were hidden caves under the falls with lagoon lighting, springs every ten feet or so along the perimeter, and one of those infinity edges. It was like an oasis built right onto the beach.
I stepped up behind the twins. “What do you guys think?”
“It’s pretty sick, right?” Davis asked, joining me.
Oliver turned his head and gaped at us. “Are you kidding? How are we even here?”
I chuckled.
“This is awesome!” Olivia yelled, pumping her fists into the air. She tugged on Jenna’s arm. “Can we get in now? Can we!”
“Sure!” Jenna looked at me and mouthed, Wow, a breathless laugh leaving her. Then she pointed to a group of unattended lounge chairs near the Jacuzzi. “Let’s go put our stuff down over there. We need to get sunscreen on.”
“Want to take her with you?” I asked, gripping Marley under her arms. “I’m going to catch up with Davis for a minute.”
“Of course. Oliver, get that tote from Nathan, please.”
I passed Marley off, then the tote, after testing the weight of it. “It’s heavy,” I told Oliver.
“I’m strong.” He quickly flexed as proof, making sure Davis saw his muscle, then situated the duffle on one shoulder and heaved the pool tote over the other. He followed behind Jenna and the girls.
I watched closely as they passed the DJ, gauging their reactions. There were a lot of kids here, different ages too, so the music wasn’t too loud. I wanted to make sure they weren’t bothered by it, Marley especially. But none of them seemed to mind the noise. Oliver and Olivia were racing to the chairs, and Marley giggled at something Jenna was saying, her feet kicking excitedly.
“Well, well, well,” Davis drawled.
I pulled my arms across my chest and stared ahead. “Here we go. Let’s hear it.”
“I was expecting Mary fucking Poppins, you bastard.” He laughed, bumping elbows with me. “Not the bombshell girl next door. Jesus Christ.”
“I told you I was bringing the woman who’s been watching Marley for me. Any assumptions you made are your own fault.”
Davis took a step forward and spun around, putting his back to the pool. “Nathan Bell, are you banging the babysitter?”
My gaze slid to his. “Come on, man.”
“Come on what? You did not just bring her today so your kids could hang out. Don’t lie to me.”
“There’s nothing going on.”
He cocked his head.
I shrugged. “Nothing has happened. That’s the truth. We’re friends. She’s watching Marley for me. We hang out—all of us—not just me and Jenna. What do you want? There’s nothing else to say.”
“Fine. You’re friends. Love the matching outfits, by the way. Do you do all your shopping together now?”
“Oh, fuck you.”
“You want something more to happen, Nate. Admit it.”
I didn’t answer that, mainly because I couldn’t answer that. I hadn’t allowed myself to admit to anything I was feeling. I knew I stared too long and found excuses to be around her. I sent texts that pushed the boundaries of friendship. I acted, though I didn’t acknowledge. I knew what acknowledging this would mean.
“You’re hesitating.” Davis narrowed his eyes. He was being serious now, a rare thing to witness. “Why? It’s been almost two years.”
“I know how long it’s been.” My tone became sharp. I felt a muscle in my jaw jump. “What are you saying? Two years…Shit, that’s the cutoff mark, right? Time to move on.”
Davis sighed through his nose. “I don’t think there’s moving on. I think there’s living. There’s no right or wrong here, Nate. There’s no judgment either. And fuck you for thinking there would be—you’re my best friend. However you continue, for you and for Marley, I’d back your decision. Hell, I backed it when you refused to talk to me. Are you forgetting that?”
“No, of course not.” I lifted the aviators and scrubbed at my face. “Fuck, man, it’s just…I don’t know what’s right to do here.”
“So do what you want. Nobody can tell you what you should be doing. Even if, God forbid, I ended up going through the same thing…what’s right for me might not be right for you. Stop thinking and fucking move, man. You’re always going to find a reason not to do something if you’re looking for it. My suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Quit looking.”
My mind opened up and grabbed at his logic. He was right.
The clarity had always been there, lingering quietly. Maybe I would’ve been able to work through this on my own in another month or so. Maybe not. I wasn’t sure I’d take any opportunities without being given permission first. It was the entire reason I hesitated.
