I raise an eyebrow, glancing at the ocean like it’s about to rise up and swallow me. “Nah, I’m good here. Don’t really feel like getting sand everywhere.”
D just grins like he already knew I’d say that. “You sure? It’s warm.” He nods toward the water, where Luka’s splashing around with Niko and Natalya. Even Yulia’s out there, riding the waves like she was born in the ocean.
“I don’t want sand all over my feet,” I insist, crossing my arms over my chest like that’s the final word.
Without a word, D steps forward, and before I can protest, he bends down and scoops me up like I weigh nothing. Just straight-up lifts me right out of my chair.
“D!” I shriek, my arms flailing, but he’s already walking toward the water, Alex trailing behind him, laughing like this is the greatest thing he’s ever seen.
“You said you didn’t want sand on your feet,” D says over his shoulder, not even breaking a sweat as he carries me to the ocean.
“Yeah, I didn’t say I wanted to be carried like a damn princess!” I protest, but there’s no real heat behind my words. His arms feel solid and safe, and I can’t help but let out a half-hearted laugh.
“You’ll thank me later,” he replies, stepping into the shallow water. The cool waves lap at my legs, and I feel a shiver run up my spine. Damn him for being right.
“Put me down,” I demand, even though part of me doesn’t really mind being held. But of course, he ignores me, wading deeper until we’re waist-deep in the water.
Finally, he sets me down, his hands lingering on my waist for a second longer than necessary, and I can’t help but glance up at him. There’s something in his eyes, something warm, and for a moment, I forget all about the fact that I’m now soaking wet.
Alex comes splashing toward us, grinning ear to ear, kicking up water like a little maniac. “Momma, come play!”
I glance down at him, then back up at D, who’s still watching me with that half-smile.
“Alright, alright,” I mutter, pushing the wet hair out of my face. “I guess I’mallin now.”
92
Dimitri
The sun’s starting to dip, casting a warm, golden glow over the water, and I’m watching Wren and Alex splash around, both laughing like there’s not a care in the world.
“Momma, stop it!” Alex’s giggles are loud, high-pitched, and infectious, and Wren’s hair is sticking to her face from the salt water, but she’s smiling in a way I don’t get to see often enough. Pure, unguarded.
I shake my head, hands on my hips.
Now or never, I think. I’ve been planning this for weeks. Hell, I even roped Luka into helping me hide the damn ring in the sandcastle we built. I glance over at him, where he’s chasing Niko and Natalya around, with Max barking and bounding through the surf. Luka’s been smirking all day like he knows something I don’t.Mudak.
Wren and Alex head back to the shore, Alex dripping wet and looking like a little version of me, except with Wren’s fire. I grabWren’s arm as she reaches for a towel, pulling her toward the sandcastle we built earlier.
“Come here for a sec,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual.
She looks at me, eyebrow raised, suspicion already on her face.
“What are you up to, D?”
“Nothing,” I lie poorly.
Don’t let this ruin everything. Keep it together, D.
We walk over to the sandcastle, the waves lapping at the edges of it. It’s not some masterpiece, but Alex helped with the towers, and I even added a little moat. Wren stares at it, clearly waiting for me to say something, her arms crossed over her chest.
“So, I uh…” I clear my throat, rubbing the back of my neck.
Suka. Why is this so hard?
“I was thinking… you and Alex, you mean everything to me, you know that. I want to, uh… build something for us. Like this castle.” I gesture to the mess of sand. “But, you know, not made of sand. A real one. Where we can be safe, where you can feel loved and protected. Every day.”
Her face softens a little, but she’s looking at me like I’ve grown three heads. “Dimitri…”
