“I know, I know.I’m sorry.You’re partly to blame, though.”She slipped her hands to his backside and gave him a commanding little squeeze.“You distracted me last night.Let’s do a Part Five session when Karim naps this afternoon.”
“We can have lunch at the bungalow.It’s nearer to the beach.”
“Great idea.”
He kissed her but then had to reluctantly let her go when Karim wedged himself between their legs, wanting attention.Dan ruffled his hair and smiled at him.“Have your mum back, kiddo.”Then he winked at Libby.“I get the night shift.”
They spent the morning at Muri Lagoon.While Libby took photographs and shot what he called her “arty” footage—for other content ideas she had in the pipeline—Dan played in the shallow water with Karim.This time, they were pretending to be crocodiles, half submerged in the water, waiting for their prey.The child’s squeals and huge, completely unguarded grin were heartwarming, as was having Libby close by, watching her work.He could practically hear all the creativity soaring through her brain right now, and he loved how chilled things were between them again.
And she’d stayed all night in his bed too, leaving only when Karim had called out at dawn.
“The clouds look great behind that little island,” Libby was saying.
Dan glanced to where her camera was pointing.“That’s the same island in the photo my mum still has on her kitchen wall.”
“I know.”Libby’s smile was sweet and full of understanding.
Dan quietly gazed at the island.“I hope my sisters make it out here one day.I’m happy my mum made it back, even though it wasn’t with my dad.”
“He’s still with you in spirit.”
“Yeah.”He leaned over and kissed her.But their moment didn’t last long.Karim was on the move again, heading toward the trees.“I’ll go,” Dan said.“You finish taking your photos.”
At lunchtime, after the three of them had mooched around a bit in the shady parts of the beach, Libby shook out their towels and packed them into her Bag of Everything.Dan picked up Karim’s ball and bucket, and as Karim ambled—very, very slowly—back to the bungalow, he and Libby exchanged glances that said,Thank god it’s only a short walk back!
They were halfway up the private path to the bungalow when Karim thought it would be a good idea to collect stones in his bucket.
“You go on ahead,” Libby said.
“I’ll start making lunch,” Dan told her and left them behind to make his way to the bungalow.His stride was getting longer—not quite like it used to be, but at least he was surpassing two-year-old walking speed now, even with the limp.The grin felt good on his face as he pushed open the little gate.Serita stood by the bungalow’s back door, talking to someone.
A familiar voice.Dan’s heart stopped beating.
“I’m telling you, hedoesknow me!I’m his fiancée.I was supposed to be staying here too!”
Sheer shock kept his blood pumping.
“Isabella?”
“Dan!Babe!”She moved past Serita.
And ran straight into his arms.
Theslim,white,blondewoman in jeans and a creased Armani T-shirt was unmistakable.
And Dan caught her in his open arms, just like Libby always knew he would.
To his credit, he’d attempted to look back, but Isabella had put her hands on his face, commanding his attention back to her as she’d pulled him into the bungalow.Not that he’d put up much of a fight.
Serita walked over, concern shadowing her kind smile, as if she understood the awkward situation.“You okay, hon?”
“I’m good, thanks,” Libby lied.She was numb.Embarrassed, even.Cast aside.“You mind if I call a cab to pick us up?”
“Sure.Let’s walk this way.”
As they made their way around the bungalow to the main house, the door clicked shut and someone pulled the drapes across.The two lovebirds were now installed in their private honeymoon bungalow, and Libby didn’t want to imagine what they would be getting up to inside.
She picked up Karim.
