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“You’re awfully contemplative,” Elle said.
I hugged her to me, grateful for this time together. Grateful that Liam hadn’t asked any more questions or pushed for a guys’ weekend when he’d given me the keys to the cabin. “I’m glad we were able to get away.”
“Me too,” she said.
We spent the afternoon hiking. Took our time shopping at the grocery store. Ate dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in town. The food was incredible, and the view was gorgeous. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect day.
Now, the sun was setting, and we’d decided to enjoy the hot tub. Elle was upstairs changing, while I prepared the chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.
I called the kids to say goodnight, eager to see their faces. They gushed about their day at Disneyland and all the rides they’d gone on. My parents had completely spoiled them, and I was glad. The kids deserved to have fun. They deserved an escape, and so did I.
When my dad called them to brush their teeth, my mom’s face filled the screen. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Everything going okay with the kids?”
“We’re having a wonderful time.” Her tired smile spoke of all the fun they’d had. “What about you? Are you enjoying Liam’s cabin?”
“It’s gorgeous here,” I said, moving aside so she could see the sunset through the large windows that lined the front of the A-frame.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” Elle called, and I froze, hoping maybe Mom hadn’t heard her.
Mom furrowed her brow. “I didn’t realize you…” She leaned her head back as her expression morphed into one of understanding. “Ahh. I see.” Her grin was both knowing and content.
“Mom,” I sighed, grabbing the champagne flutes and heading for the door that led to the front deck. Mom hadn’t mentioned Elle’s name, but I wondered if she’d recognized her voice. “I can ex—”
“Honey.” She held up her free hand. “You’re an adult. You don’t need to explain anything to me.”
“I—” I let out a deep sigh filled with gratitude and relief. “Thank you.”
“Oh, before I go, I meant to ask you about the castle library.” She furrowed her brow. “Maddox keeps asking to visit it, but I don’t remember seeing that as an attraction at the park.”
I smiled. “Ellie and the kids have this thing where they meet Tessa at the castle library every night. They imagine it and go there to talk to Tessa.”
“Ahh.” She tilted her head back. “That’s sweet. I’m sure they enjoy having that ritual as a way to connect with their mom.”
I nodded, hit with a pang of bittersweet longing. “Yes.”
I kept waiting for Mom to ask me more about who I was with, but she didn’t. She merely smiled and said, “I’ve gotta go. The kids want me to read bedtime stories. Be safe and have fun.” She winked.
“Thanks, Mom. You too.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too,” I said and then disconnected the call.
I rested my arms on the railing and let out a deep sigh. Well, fuck. So much for keeping Elle’s and my relationship a secret. My mom may not have put two and two together, but even if she had, I trusted Mom would never tell anyone. More than anything, I was struck by how happy she’d been for me.
I returned inside to grab the strawberries and champagne then went back out to the hot tub and stripped out of my clothes. When Elle joined me, the sky was awash with pinkish hues and brilliant oranges as the sun dipped below the granite mountains. I rested my arms on the side of the hot tub, enjoying the sounds of the forest as the sun sank deeper into the horizon.
Elle’s hair was twisted up on top of her head, her floral silk robe encasing her curves. I crooked my finger, inviting her to join me.
She untied her robe and let the material fall from her shoulders until it pooled at her feet. I studied the way the light hit her skin, casting her in a golden hue. My god, she was breathtaking. And she was mine.
Not for much longer.
“Spin,” I said, my voice rough. “I want to see you.”
She spun slowly, letting me drink her in. She wasn’t modest. She didn’t try to cover herself. And I reveled in her confidence and beauty.
