I glanced at her. “You’re a part of this too.”
Instead of responding, she smiled softly and returned her attention to Noah, who was making another loop around the enclosure. After the ride, we wandered over to the playground area, and Noah immediately wanted to get on a swing. We had to wait for one of the kids to leave, and when they did, he rushed over.
I moved behind him and gently pushed, watching as he kicked his legs, trying to go higher. Julia remained off to the side, watching us.
“Higher!” Noah demanded.
He was freaking fearless.
“I think this is high enough,” I said. When did I turn into my dad? No, my mom. My dad would’ve pushed me higher.
“Miss Julia, watch this!”
Before I could stop the little nut, he jumped off the swing, which, fortunately, was not too high, and landed on his feet with his arms spread wide. “Ta-da!”
“Great job, Robin,” Julia said, clapping.
“Don’t do that again,” I said, knowing I was being a killjoy. But if I was going to send him to Tennessee at some point, I needed him to be in one piece. “Let’s go, Robin. Other kids want to use the swing.”
He raced past me toward Julia. “Did you see me?”
“I saw you.”
I shook my head. “Stop encouraging him.”
“I’m not!” she said.
“I’m not!” I repeated, mimicking the softness of her voice.
She slammed her hands on her hips. “Are you making fun of me?”
“No.” She was so cute, trying to act like she was mad.
While we were busy talking, Noah had climbed onto a colorful structure on the playground. I didn’t know where he was getting the energy. I glanced at Julia, who was watching him. I didn’t want the day to end. I didn’t want to go back to the condo where it was just me and Noah. I wanted more time with her and more time to explore whatever was happening between us.
Finally, Noah finished his climbing and came running over. “I’m hungry,” he announced.
I made a big show of checking the watch on my wrist. “It’s after lunchtime, and I’m getting hungry too. Are you hungry?” I asked Julia. “We could grab a bite to eat at the café near the entrance. My treat.”
I held my breath. I wanted her to say yes to spending a little more time with us.
“I could eat,” she said.
“Can we get pizza?” Noah asked.
“Let’s see what they have first,” I said, resting my hand on his head as he fell into step beside me. “We’ve had pizza twice this week. They probably have hotdogs and other options.”
“The two of you like pizza, I take it?” Julia asked.
“It’s an easy meal,” I explained.
“Uncle Marcus doesn’t know how to cook,” Noah said, putting me on blast.
“Damn, bro.”
Julia hid her laughter behind her hand.
“But you don’t. Can you cook, Miss Julia?”
