After I get dressed, I head into the kitchen and pack snacks and drinks, then I usher the kids out the front door over to Mac’s house. I’m shocked when I see the newer truck with a boat attached to the back.
“Where did you get that?” I ask.
Mac smiles. “The truck has been in my garage. The boat has been in storage. It didn’t take long to go grab it. You ready to go?”
“Yes. I am so excited!” Emily screams, running to the truck.
I follow behind her, stopping at Mac.
“You are too good to be true,” I whisper to him.
He drops a quick kiss on my nose before moving to the back door to help Emily inside. When I glance in the back, I’m surprised to find he has his own seats for the kids. Just another thing he considered.
I’m feeling warm inside as I climb into the passenger seat. For a moment, I let myself believe Mac is their father, and this is a family trip, that this is how our life has always been.
When Mac climbs in, I go to move my hand off the center console, but he grabs it before I can.
I let him hold my hand as he drives us to the boat launch. As he backs the boat in, he explains what he is doing and how he will need my help later. I’m a little nervous but pay close attention.
It doesn’t take long to get the boat in the water and the truck parked. Then we are on the boat.
“Everyone needs a life jacket. Even me. We have to be safe,” I hear Mac telling Emily.
She frowns, but nods. Then he pulls out a pretty pink princess life jacket. There is no way he had that on here, which means he planned for this. He always planned on having us on this boat.
Emily squeals as she gladly puts it on, letting Mac tighten it. Then he has her sit where the captain sits before he moves to Tanner. He hands Tanner a plain-looking one, but I notice that it matches the one Mac grabs for himself. Tanner imitates him, even tightening his when Mac does.
Then Mac is in front of me.
“Everyone needs one,a mhuirnín.”
It’s that term again. The one I haven’t figured out what it means, but I love it.
I turn, holding my arms out. He places the life vest on me, snapping everything in place. Then he grabs the piece that goes between my legs. It feels wildly intimate as he buckles it, tightening it so that I can be safe. Still, the feel of it between my legs has my body wanting to melt into him. If it weren’t for the kids, I would have.
Stepping back, I clear my throat and go to take a seat at the front.
“Back here, Mama. The water is choppy. It isn’t going to be great sitting up there right now.”
I do as he asks, going closer to the back as he starts the engine. Then we are off.
Emily loves it. She is screaming into the wind as he drives the boat further from land.
It takes at least thirty minutes before a small piece of land comes into view.
He slows down, gesturing to it.
“Your beach with very little people.”
He looks so proud of himself, and he should be.
I stare up at him, wondering how I got so lucky to meet a man like him.
I told him I didn’t want people, and he delivered.
Fuck, I could fall in love with this man, but it’s too soon.
Isn’t it?
