“Same.” She tipped her head up and kissed him, quick but sure. Then she drew back and gestured toward the house. “Back to reality?”
“Diapers and client calls and a six-bedroom house that suddenly feels too small?” He sighed. “It’s what we got.”
“It’s not too small,” she assured him, digging out the wayward specs and sliding them on. “It’s just not what you expected this summer.”
“I’m fine if you are willing to run away and have secret beach time with me.” He kissed her this time, much longer than hers. “Because that is the summer I expected.”
Kate brushed her fingers down his chest, and for a moment he caught a glimpse of something in her eyes that made his heart ache. She seemed unguarded, like she was starting to believe in them as a couple.
“I had no expectations,” she said softly. “So I can’t possibly be disappointed. Unless there’s no leftovers from the pasta dinner Jonah made last night. Then I’ll be bereft and hungry.”
“Let’s go find out,” he said, leaning in for one more kiss. “And if everyone is off doing their own thing, we can eat on the deck just the two of us.”
“Mmm. I like the way you think, Mr. Lawson.”
They made their way to the pool level, which was empty, rinsed off their feet in a small shower Eli had installed, and headed inside the hushed downstairs living area. Jonah’s door was closed, and no sound came from his room.
“Jonah’s studying,” Kate whispered.
“Words I haven’t heard very often in my life.”
She smiled. “He only had a lab this morning and said he was going to hit the books all afternoon.”
“Or maybe he’s…” Eli hesitated when he heard a voice behind the closed door, low, in a quiet conversation. “On the phone.”
They’d made it to the bottom of the stairs when Jonah’s door opened.
“Hey,” he said gruffly.
They both turned and Jonah walked closer, unhappiness visible all over his face.
“Either you are studying too hard or something’s wrong,” Eli said, frowning at his son.
“The latter.” He huffed out a breath. “Can you two talk for a minute?”
So much for continuing their impromptu date upstairs. But Eli didn’t hesitate, stepping right back down and, bless her, Kate did, too.
“Of course,” they said in unison.
“What’s going on?” Eli asked as the three of them went into the living area.
While Kate and Eli sat on the sofa, Jonah dropped onto an overstuffed chair with a deep sigh, running his hands through already tousled hair.
“Is Atlas okay?” Kate asked, leaning forward in concern.
“Meredith took him when he woke up,” he said. “She said she’d feed him because I was on the phone.” He swallowed visibly. “With Carly’s parents.”
Eli grunted softly. “What did they say?” he asked.
Jonah barked a joyless laugh. “Nothing terribly nice.”
“But what were the specifics?” Eli pressed.
“Like, they wanted to know where Atlas is, who’s taking care of him, when I’m bringing him back, why I haven’t contacted them. That stuff.”
“You haven’t contacted them?” Eli asked, his voice rising in disbelief.
“I sent Carly’s sister a text and they know I’m here with family. They know he’s fine.”
