Page 72 of Parentmoon

“He also followed you to the beach earlier. I saw him hugging you.”

I stare at Michael, who has never witnessed me with another man. There had been dates and a few hookups over the years, but eventually I felt too old and too tired for such things. Since turning forty, I’d hit a hard dry spell.

“What if I was with Dallas?” My gaze remains on Michael.

Hypothetically speaking, what if a man did enter my life now? I’m overdue for someone in my corner. Maybe I need to start dating again once I’m back home. Put myself out there again. The thought presses on me like a wet blanket.

Michael lifts a brow. “As long as I marry his daughter first, so this doesn’t feel like some creepy stepbrother-stepsister thing,” he scoffs.

“Oh my gosh. Again, no one is talking marriage for Dallas and me.”

Michael glances over my head again and then back at me. “Dallas seemed upset by that comment earlier.”

Acid fills my throat mixing with a bitter laugh. “Upset? The man hasn’t ever been married. I don’t think he’ll be settling down now.”

“From what I’ve learned, Dallas is more settled than he’s ever been. He’s a successful and prominent man.” Michael gazes once more in the direction of Dallas. “When I first met him, I’d see him with random women.” He pauses. “But lately, I don’t know when he last mentioned someone or had a date. Or Keli saying anything about anyone in Dallas’s life. He wasn’t bringing a date to the wedding.”

“I would hope not.” My snappy response is just that—too quick, too telling. “I just mean, a date at your daughter’s wedding would be difficult unless he’d been involved with someone for a while. As father of the bride, he has so much responsibility.”

“Like what?” Michael smirks. “Walking Keli down the aisle? All his responsibility was beforehand. The wedding was time for him to relax and celebrate.”

The reminder of the expense Dallas dished out and lost from their cancelled celebration makes me cringe.

“Well, he’ll get to do that on Thursday.” The consolation is cheap in comparison but still, Michael and Keli will officially marry. What better place than this beautiful and romantic island.

“Who will do what on Thursday?” Dallas’s rich tenor comes from behind me, and I turn, catching my breath as I do when I look at him. Water glistens over his head, like he’s just surfaced from a swim. His shoulders and chest are covered in sunlit droplets. I want to lick the rivulet trailing down his neck, then strangle him. I hold back on both accounts, as my son is present, and I sense him watching us.

Dallas lowers his broad shoulders under the water. Beneath the surface, his pinky catches mine, holding tight when I attempt to pull away from him.

“We were discussing Keli and Michael’s wedding,” I explain, adding a teasing tone before saying, “The canceled one.”

“And how you weren’t bringing a date,” Michael expands.

“I had a date,” Dallas admits.

I tug my hand harder, but his pinky hooks tight around my finger. “You did, huh?” My haughty tone is unnecessary.

He could have brought whoever he wanted although I don’t recall Keli mentioning a plus-one for him. He could have scheduled five dates, and it would not have been my business. Not sharing the truth of all this chaos with me proves I’m not his business either.

“Yep. Planned to spend the entire night celebrating with the mother of the groom.” Dallas winks.

Charming. If Michael wasn’t already a sweet talker, I’d think he learned tips from Dallas.

Michael softly chuckles and slips into the pool. “Think I’ll go rescue Keli.”

We all turn to the opposite side of the pool where Philip has cornered Keli, animatedly explaining something to her.

Michael swims over to her and wraps his arm around her waist from behind when he nears. He says something to Philip and then pulls Keli away, causing them both to drift to the far end of the pool.

Keli giggles as Michael drags her along, floating with him in bliss.

“I’m so happy they are working things out.” Watching in wonder at the love visible before me, happiness settles in a little more, pushing out my initial reaction of confusion and fear.

“Did you really think I’d bring a date to my daughter’s wedding?” Dallas’s tone is sharp, and I turn to him.

“I have no idea what you would have done for her wedding. I hardly knew you before.”

Did I even know Dallas now? Nearly a week of romantic moments and sexy times does not make me an expert on him. I’d like to think I understand him better. Some of his thoughts. Parts of his past. I certainly know his body, but do I know his heart? I don’t think I’ll ever fully grasp who he is.