His face screws up in confusion.
“Maybe I do need a little help,” I admit. Nash listens patiently. “Can we just forget I said anything.” I’m backtracking and press my lips together and rinse the thoughts in my mind. But Nash’s eyes study me, and his face is neutral. “Fine.” I roll my eyes, caving. “Maybe we can just… keep it between us?”
“We’re good at that,” he remarks simply. My lashes bat as I recognize the truth in that. “But yeah… we can.”
Appreciation floods my face.
“Anything for you,” he mutters. I don’t think he expected me to hear, but my breath hitches all the same.
“Lie of the century,” I rasp.He left.“But let’s keep this a normal conversation. Besides, there are seven-year-olds about the descend onto the ice. We can keep it classy and get an award for this perfectly normal conversation.” I straighten my posture as much as I can with a baby propped on one hip.
The corners of his mouth twist. “Sure.”
“Okay, well, uh… see you at home.” He looks at me strangely, probably because I’m being awkward. Even when I turn to leave only to backtrack, I find him waiting in the exact spot with the exact same facial expression. “Actually, I thought about going for a coffee or ice cream with Bo. Maybe…”
Now he just grins. “I would like to tag along?” He helps me out because my invitation just spewed out of my mouth without thought.
“Yeah, something like that. Or like that.” It drags out of my mouth.
He chuckles as he lowers his hand to unlock the gate. “I’ll see you soon then.”
Debating,I’m not sure if this is the right move. It’s just Bo, and Nash is his uncle. I can’t keep Nash at bay. This is good for Bo. Hence, why all three of us are wandering down Main Street to Jolly Joe’s for ice cream.
“I’m surprised it isn’t colder. The weather for fall seems to be okay,” Nash remarks.
I continue to push Bo’s stroller. “You may have jinxed us.”
The fall decorations of Lake Spark overpower the scene. Pumpkins, hay bales, a weird-looking scarecrow, plus fakes leaves in shop windows.
“Are you decorating the house for Halloween?”
Shrugging a shoulder, I remind myself that is another item on my to-do list. “I guess I should at least get a pumpkin or something. Trick-or-treaters are ruthless here.”
A brimming smile is pasted on his face. “Oh, I remember. Prime prank time.”
“Speaking from experience.” I give him a pointed look, very well aware of his younger antics.
“Don’t you want to take Bo to a pumpkin patch or something? Isn’t that a photo-op necessity?”
I move my head side to side in contemplation. “Solid point. I’ll figure it out.”
He nudges my shoulder with his. “There’s a pumpkin farm down in Bluetop, at the Blisswood winery. We can go there one day.”
We.
I’m wary of the term, as much as it warms my heart. “Maybe a good idea.” We arrive at Jolly Joe’s, and Nash is quick to open the door for me. “One scoop of blueberry and one scoop of rainbow sherbet per your usual? The ice cream of senior citizens.”
Nash seems surprised. “You remember my ice cream flavor choice?”
“Of course, I do. How many times have we been here?”
A fond smile shades his face. “Probably too many to count, Ms. Chocolate Cherry Shake.”
My mouth turns to an O shape. “Seems you remember, too. It’s a classic flavor,” I protest.
We find our way to a table, and I get situated as Nash prepares to order at the counter. “For the little guy?”
“I don’t really let him have too much sugar, but they say the vanilla bean here has the least amount, so perhaps a small scoop of that.”
