Drew
“How’s this?” I came to a stop, grains of sand shifting and finding their way over the edge of my sandals and between my toes.
Ginny held an arm around the bundle strapped to her chest in an endless length of fabric she’d wrapped and tied around herself, securing baby Isaac to her person. She lifted her other hand to her brow to block out the glare of the sun. Swept her gaze up one side of the beach, then the other.
Waves swelled farther out from shore, surfers in wetsuits either bobbing with the flow or lying on their boards, arms diving into the water to catch the crest, push up to stand, then ride the wave for as long as they could.
My sister had better think the spot decent. The wagon filled with beach chairs, pop-up shade, sand toys, towels, and snacks wasn’t exactly the easiest to pull across the loose sand. Plus, I’d told Nicole we’d be near lifeguard station number three. If Ginny dragged us any farther away, then I’d be made a liar.
“Here’s good,” she finally said.
I let the wagon handle go and went about unpacking the beach tent. Between Eric and me, we had the thing pitched with chairs set up beneath its shade in no time.
Owen took a soda from the cooler and popped the lid close to my face, the fizzy sound almost drowning out the waves for a second. I looked up at him from my seated position. He smirked at me. Annoying brat. My job as an uncle was done. I made like I was going to sprint after him with some sort of punishment when really, I had no intention of exerting so much energy. As predicted, he fell for my fake and raced across the beach.
“Too bad Mom couldn’t be here.” Ginny dug into the little kangaroo pouch she’d created and lifted the baby out, settling him in her arms.
I drummed my fingers against my knee. “Not like you aren’t going to report back to her, I’m sure.”
She didn’t even try to deny the accusation, just lifted a shoulder to her ear. “Nicole’s the first woman you’ve shown any serious interest in since Veronica. I’m sure dating’s changed since Eric asked me to be his girlfriend in high school, but I’m also pretty sure introducing a woman to your family is still a big deal.”
“I like her,” I admitted. Why downplay my rapidly growing feelings? “A lot.”
Ginny kissed her son’s downy head. “Good.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I fished it out, anticipation thrumming through my veins.
Eric laughed. “You’ve got it bad, man. Only a woman can make a guy’s face go all soft like that.”
I stood. “You’d know. Your mug’s been goofy since the day I met you—which just so happens to be the day you met my sister.”
Ginny reached over and smooshed Eric’s face, pouting her lips as she said, “I think his mug’s adorable.” She moved his jaw back and forth.
Looked more like a fish face the way she squeezed.
“Thanks, honey,” he said through mashed lips. He turned his face and kissed her. Without taking his eyes off Ginny, he waved me away. “I’ve got my girl. Go get yours.”
I nearly ran into Owen as I stumbled over a tent peg. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.”
He looked past me, his brows dipping in disgust. “Are they kissing again? Gross.”
I swallowed down a chuckle. One day he’d realize hownotgross kissing was, but hopefully not anytime soon. “Want to come with me and give them some privacy?”
He fell into step at my side. “Sure. Where are you going?”
“Sierra and her mom just got here.”
“Cool.”
Two figures—one taller than the other—walked from the parking lot.
“I see them.” Owen took off at a jog.
A more mature man would continue walking at a sedate pace. Hide his eagerness. Maintain decorum.
I grinned, then pushed the ball of my foot into the sand to catch up with Owen.
Good thing I’d never claimed to be a mature man.
