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“Here, Mom.” Callie held my phone out to me. “Auntie Em said she’ll talk to you later.”
I took the device, catching sight of a new message notification. Kyle had responded to my last message. Forgetting exactly what I had texted, though, I opened the thread and read it.
Kyle: You looked so gorgeous and peaceful. I couldn’t bring myself to wake you. Besides I distinctly remember someone saying she couldn’t handle any more last night.
Cheeks heating, I locked my phone and slid it into my back pocket, glancing over to make sure my mom hadn’t seen. Luckily, Callie had stolen her attention and was telling her about something Bridget had said.
Once my mom had said her final goodbyes, I headed back into the kitchen to retrieve my now cold coffee. The chiming of my phone reminded me that I hadn’t responded to Kyle. Not that his text really required a response. After reheating my coffee, I pulled my phone out again and unlocked it.
Kyle: I should be off by 2 today. Are you guys busy? What do you think of taking the kids to Pointe Beach? I think Callie is ready for the swim test and I promised I’d take her before the beach closes for the season.
Me: Sure. I think she’ll love that idea.
Kyle: Perfect. I’ll pick you up around 2:30.
I spent the next few hours cleaning and doing laundry, all while singing some of my favorite songs. I ignored Callie’s eye rolls. She never liked my singing, and it wasn’t because I had a horrible voice.
My stomach fluttered in anticipation as I checked the large windmill-style clock on the wall above the table in the kitchen. In one hour, Kyle would be here.
I was mostly excited to see him, but a small part of me was nervous that things would be awkward between us.
Chapter Twenty-Two
KYLE
The Dock was busy today,full of tourists soaking up the last bit of summer and locals taking their families out on the water before the weather turned cold. Staying busy helped keep my mind off Tina. Not that it would last long. The second I had a moment to breathe, my thoughts would drift right back to her.
The way she’d writhed above me once I’d gotten my mouth on her. The way she looked this morning with the blanket at her waist, her perfect tits on display and her lips turned up in a smile. I felt like a stalker once I realized how long I’d lain there staring at her. But damn, was she beautiful.
I shook myself out of my stupor for what felt like thehundredth time. We were all piled in the truck. The chaos was a welcomed interruption, because now the gorgeous woman who consumed my every thought was seated beside me. I rubbed at the ache in my chest that bloomed when she hit me with a mega-watt smile.
I wanted to lean over and press my lips against hers, but I wouldn’t dare with the kids in the back seat. We hadn’t talked about any of that. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t staying, so I had no right to be anything but Mr. Kyle to these kids. My stomach bottomed out at the reminder.
For days, I’d been pushing aside thoughts of having to leave for New York. It was where I was supposed to be. Where I committed to be, and I had accepted that. That didn’t mean I was thrilled about leaving Tina and her kids. For now, though, I planned to enjoy what time I had with them.
“You buckled?” I craned my neck and checked with each of the kids.
They both nodded, and when I’d gotten visual confirmation, I backed out of the driveway.
“Callie is super excited.” Tina smiled back at her daughter.
“Yeah…but what if I can’t do it?” She caught my eye in the rearview mirror, a look of apprehension on her face.
“You’ve been practicing and doing a great job. I highly doubt you won’t pass. But if you don’t, then we’ll practice a little more this week and try again next weekend.” I shrugged, going for nonchalant to hopefully ease her concerns.
I related to Callie a lot. She didn’t only need the confidence and positivity that Tina had perfected. She needed to be prepared for either outcome and for what would happen if something didn’t go the way she hoped. At least that was the read I had gotten on her. If anything, my ability to see the whole picture, the worst-case scenario and what I needed to prioritize to avoid that outcome, was what made me so good atmy job. Not that it helped me two years ago with Levi. I swallowed hard at the sudden reminder.
I checked on Callie in the mirror again. Her shoulders seemed more relaxed, but there was still an air of nervousness radiating from her.
“Will you be good with her in the water on your own?” Tina side-eyed me. “Teddy doesn’t like the sand either, so I’ll probably take him to the playground.”
“No,” the little boy yelled from the back seat. “I go swim too.”
Eyes wide, Tina twisted in her seat. “You want to go swimming? Like in the water?”
I wasn’t about to point out the redundancy of those two questions. Surely Teddy knew that in order to swim, he’d have to get in the water.
“Yes. I go swim too,” he repeated with an impliedduh.
