“I call dibs on Julian,” the twin holding Ever on her shoulders calls out just before she sinks into the water, dunking Ever.
“Not fair,” Ever yelps, sputtering water as she pops up and drags her hand down her face.
“That’s okay, Ever, let them. We’ll take them all.” Taya swims over to her and adds, “Mitch is a party pooper.” She waves her hand toward him where he sits opposite me on the ledge of the pool.
“I don’t swim—much. How about I referee?” He takes a long drink from his solo cup; all formal festivities now morphed into a regular backyard pool party.
Lennon, I deduce from the melee of conversation, swims up to me and challenges, “Don’t make me regret my choice. These fools are going down.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” I slide into the water and dunk under the surface, popping up with Lennon on my shoulders. Ever does the same with Taya. So it’s me against Everly. This just got interesting.
As we square up in the water, she moves to within an inch of my face and says for my ears only, “You’re going down.”
“Promise?” I arch my brow, then sweep my leg out in front of me and take hers out from under her.
As she starts to go down, she grabs my biceps and rights herself. “Oh, you thought I’d make this easy on you?” She’s laughing as she tries the same move on me.
Are we talking about chicken fights?“Not even a little bit, but anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Her eyes spark with determination, and I almost want to let her win. Almost. Clutching her ribs in my hands, I squeeze, tickling her, and she yelps just before she loses her balance and plunges, oblivious to the two above us.
They were not oblivious to us apparently. As Lennon and Taya resurface, Taya rolls her eyes exaggeratedly and tells her, “We should’ve known better than to pit those two against each other. They can’t stop flirting long enough to compete.”
“Agreed,” Lennon gripes, smiling.
The other four are still battling at the other end of the pool, bantering and shit-talking. I reach for Ever and pull her back against me, wrapping my arms around her. Leaning against the edge of the pool, we watch as they fight for dominance, laughing and enjoying the show. She rests her arms over mine, seemingly at ease in my embrace. I don’t want to question it or overthink it for fear it will vaporize before me.
Hours later, we’re all sprawled on the lounge chairs, talking easily, when Allie brings out a tray of snacks: mini sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, olives, cheese. Luke trails behind her with a handful of cans. “Hydrate, kids. The sun can take it out of you. Electrolyte waters.” He tosses cans out to each of us.
“Thanks, Dad,” Lennon replies cheekily.
The twins’ parents and Ashley go way back, I learned today. She clearly feels at home enough to tease him. He and Allie seem equally delighted to cater to us like surrogate parents. The well of emotion hits me again. Dr. Carver would tell me it’s tapping into something I needed, something I was missing. That I know this puts a sad smile on my face for that little kid who didn’t even know what he didn’t have.
Ever extends her hand and swishes the back of her index finger over my cheek. “What’s going on in there?”
I capture her hand and bring the back of it to my lips. “Nothing. Just happy.” I look deep into her opaque eyes and fight the pressure behind mine. I blink when I fear they’re about to give me away.
“Me too.” Her soft smile pops her dimples.
God, I’ve missed those.
“Guys,” Seth announces, “Tatum and Lennon are coming back with us tomorrow to check out the surf at Pismo.”
“Ooh, cool. I need to get back there and try it now that I know how,” Ever exclaims.
“So come with,” Tatum invites.
“Sorry. Got stuff.”
Lennon, not one to mince words, says, “Is that what we’re calling him?Stuff?”
“Shut up, Lennon,” Ever barks back, smiling, her face flushing. There she is—a glimpse of the Ever I used to know.
My stomach flips watching her hide her blush. My body responds instinctively.
“Hey, everyone.” Taya comes out of the pool house dressed. “Mitch and I are heading out. We have an appointment.” That gets my attentionand sufficiently, and thankfully, douses my reaction to Ever. She stands to hug Taya and thanks her for coming.
“I’ll walk you guys out.” I stand and walk to Mitch, who’s standing by the back door shaking hands with Ashley. “I’ll be right back,” I say to Ever.
