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We got in the car and drove to the marina. It wasn’t far, but it would have been a longer walk back. We sat outside on a porch that jutted over the water.
“I don’t care what I eat. This view is amazing.” Water lapped against the deck, and birds swooped down to the water and soared into the air.
“It is nice.” But Ryan was looking at me.
I smiled. “I was talking about the view.”
He nodded, staring at me intently. “I was, too.”
My face heated at his attention. The waitress stopped by to ask for our drink order and then left us alone again.
“I love it here,” I said.
“You’ve never been to the Eastern Shore?”
“I haven’t. We didn’t travel when we lived with Nana. It’s funny because we moved a lot when we lived with Mom, and no matter how many times she called it an adventure, it never felt like one.”
Ryan reached over to slip my hand in his. His thumb caressed the back of my hand. His touch sent a tingle up my arm to my elbow, and it continued until it hit my heart. “I’m glad I got to experience this with you.”
In that moment, there was no one else but us.
Looking out over the water, I said, “Me too. There are so many other things I want to see. Other than moving around as a kid, I’ve never been anywhere.”
He gently squeezed my hand. “I’d like to be the one who takes you all the places you want to go.”
My heart clenched almost painfully at his sweet words. He couldn’t know what his words meant to me. Promises of forever were dangerous. The familiar alarm bells rang in my head, advising me to be wary. Promises were meant to be broken.
“After things with Corey are settled, why don’t we plan a trip? Just us.”
I smiled, but it felt weak. There was no guarantee Ryan would get custody, and if he didn’t? I was almost positive he’d follow him to Texas. There was no point in making plans. Not yet, anyway—no matter how much my heart longed to make plans for the future.
We ate crab cakes because Ryan said that’s what you did while on the shore. Then we drove through the rest of town, commenting on the beautiful historic homes. Then we drove through Washington College’s campus.
On the way back, Ryan insisted on stopping at a grocery store to buy sides to eat with the fish he’d caught this morning.
When he parked in the driveway, he asked, “Want to help gut the fish?
“Um. No, thank you.” I wanted no part of that.
“I’ll teach Corey how to do it.”
Ryan enjoyed imparting knowledge on his son. It was heartwarming to see.
Inside, we found Corey watching TV.
They went outside to deal with the fish, and I got the sides ready. Since most were store-bought, I placed them in bowls with serving spoons. I opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass to enjoy on the dock.
I walked down the long dock and sat on the end, my feet dangling over the side. The water was surprisingly clear. I could see schools of fish below me.
I could sit here forever, listening to the water and the birds and watching the current go by.
Ryan sat next to me, not saying anything.
“I think this is my happy place.”
He placed my hand in his lap. “Mine too.”
His thigh was warm under my hand. “How are the fish coming?”
