“I like flowers.” I eye the large pink hibiscus blooms on a nearbybush.
“You don't like dates showing up withthem.”
I nod slowly. “Right."Heremembered.
“Aubrey,” he says, and the way he says my name makes me tear my eyes from Claire, who's peering through the metal telescope to the giraffes at the far side of the exhibit. “I’m trying to do what's right in an anything but typicalsituation."
“And you think moving in together is what's right?” I'm trying to understand his line of logic. Because it definitely wasn'tmine.
“Yes. You'll have your own room, of course.” He shakes his head. “I didn't mean to suggest something else. If that's what you'rethinking.”
“It wasn’t.” My words rush out. “I’m so surprised that I wasn't thinking much ofanything.”
Isaac stands, stuffing his hands inside his pockets. “I just wanted to put it out there. We don't have to talk about it againtoday.”
Claire comes back to us, jumping like she's on a pogo stick. I’d like Isaac to put on his doctor cap and remind her she has a broken arm. Instead he laughs ather.
“Claire, please be careful. Yourarm.”
“Yes, Mommy. Flamingoes next!” She pivots, heading for the nextexhibit.
“Her arm is safe inside thatcast.”
I throw a couple daggers at Isaac with my eyes. I’m not sure if it’s for thinking I’m overprotective or for knowing me well enough to know how I was feeling. “I just want her to becareful.”
“She's not doing anything careless. I've seen way worse, Aubrey. On a child even younger than her.” He studies Claire for a moment before breaking into ajog.
He has a nice run. Graceful.Rhythmic.
When he catches up to her, he picks her up by the waist and twirls her around. She laughs and leans her head back, so trusting that the person who has her will never let herfall.
I walk slowly, catching up to Claire and Isaac at the flamingoes. They're both standing on one foot, imitating the smelly pinkbirds.
“You too,” Claire points atme.
I stifle a groan and lift a foot off the ground. I'm not a silly person or a funny person. I never have been. But forClaire?
Anything forClaire.
“You know you want it…” The growl comes from low in Isaac’sthroat.
“OK, fine.” I grin ruefully at the person behind the counter. “Brownie ice cream blast with chocolate sauce and sprinkles.” I turn to Isaac. “Are you happy? I got the biggest, messiest thing on themenu.”
“I’m ecstatic.” He looks at the person waiting for him to order. “I'll pass. I think my friend here will be needing some help withhers.”
I make a face. “Who said I'msharing?”
“Sharing is caring, Mommy.” Claire's eyebrows draw together as she gives me her seriouslook.
“You're right. I'llshare.”
“You don't want a time-out, do you?” She wags her pointer finger at me. Isaac laughs so hard he has to turnaway.
“Nope, I don't. No time-outs for this mommy.” I pick up Claire so she can see them making our order. Isaac goes to the register topay.
“Thanks,” I say when we're settled at a table outside. Soon it will be too hot to eat outdoors, but right now it’sperfect.
“You’re welcome. I owed you some ice cream.” He winks at me and takes a bigbite.
