“You’re so ridiculous.” I tapped my hands together to get the sand off and laughed.
“I’ll tell you. Just don’t hit me again,” he answered as I rolled my eyes.
“The music notes are for me and MJ. We both love music and as you can tell, have it playing all the time,” he said, his love for her shining in his eyes.
“What are the weird lines?”
“Weird lines,” he huffed. “That’s tech code. It’s a part of my story from as far back as I can remember. Luke was the scientist. Growing up as kids, he was more extroverted than I was. I know, hard to believe with what you know of his and Sofia’s story.”
I chuckled and made a stern face, mimicking the way he was when they first met as adults.
“Exactly. Me? I was quiet. A little more serious. I found technology fascinating and was drawn to it. Turned out I was good at it.” He shrugged. “Dad always said to find something you love, so work is a joy, not a burden.”
I nodded, tracing the open book with my finger. “And this?”
He took a deep breath and turned to face the ocean. “That’s just for me. When Katy and I split up, I was lost. MJ was just two, and I was overwhelmed. Mom took off from the cosmetic business to come up and help me get situated. I found a wonderful daycare center, quit my job, and got my business going. Found my way again. My new normal.”
“I can’t imagine how hard that was for you,” I said, dropping my hand.
“Yeah, it was the hardest thing I’d ever done. But we found a routine, my company grew, so I got some help. And then MJ and I just made it work, one day at a time. Books were my only escape. Mom had left behind a novel she’d been reading. It was a true story about a man who had fought against all hope and survived an avalanche on Mount Everest. It spoke to me. Gave me hope when I needed it most.”
“I’m so glad you had that.” Our eyes met, and I whispered, “You did it, Miles. You survived.”
“Yeah, but I messed up. A lot. There were times when I honestly wanted to give up. But I also started reading my Bible again. God kept me from falling apart.”
“That’s amazing. I’ve had similar experiences, one just recently, that solidified my need for God in my life and that His word is the truth I can hold on to.” The moment was charged with a new understanding of each other. I felt so privileged to have witnessed another peek into his heart.
“You mentioned loving romance novels before,” he said with a playful eyebrow waggle, suddenly shifting the mood to something that felt like flirting.
I blushed crimson, but drawing from my newfound confidence, I answered him.
“Yeah, book boyfriends are the best.Waybetter than any guy I’ve ever met in person,” I teased, jumping up and running to the shoreline with a squeal.
“Oh,really?” he yelled.
Miles grabbed MJ around the waist, hoisting her up on his shoulder. She screamed loudly as he chased me around the frigid water, our laughter filling the air.
We were all laughing about MJ’s failed war with the seagulls when we arrived back at their house. The sun was just setting and we hated to leave, but my chattering teeth made the decision. It had been an incredible day. Being with them had felt so right that it scared me.
If she were my daughter…
“I can’t let you drive home wet and full of sand. Let me grab you some clothes. You can take a shower if you’d like,” Miles said, carrying their things to the laundry room.
“Pfft, if I fit in your clothes, I’llcry,” I said absently and blushed crimson immediately.
MJ ran to her room, leaving a trail of wet sand behind her. “Sorry, sorry,” she cried out as the matted drops hit the floor.
I shook my head and smiled as she took off. When I looked back, Miles was looking at me intensely.
“I like seeing you in my clothes,” he said, his cheeks equally reddening with his confession.
I was speechless. In his eyes, I saw my own feelings reflected once again. There was an attraction that had taken root maybe as far back as Enzo’s wedding and had blossomed into moments like this. Something soft and wonderful pushed its way from the surface, and it was more thanjust physical attraction. There was a shared sense of humor and easy conversations where we both felt safe enough to share our deepest feelings. And when Miles looked at me like I’d hung the stars and the moon, my romantic heart wanted to take flight.
“When MJ goes to bed, will you stay? I mean, you know? So we can talk? There are things that need to be said.” His expression was hopeful but reserved as if he wasn’t sure I’d agree.
“Yes, I think we should,” I said softly.
He exhaled his relief. “Good. Go, then, before you freeze.”
