“I know.”He placed his hands on her shoulders.“But whether we check now or later won’t change anything.Let the internet do its thing without it controlling us.”
On an exhale, Libby nodded.“Yeah, you’re right.”She picked up Karim, who was still holding his ball.“I get so hyped, you know?”
“I know.”
“This is big,” she said.“For you.For me.For our plan.I don’t want to mess it up.”
“You won’t.We won’t.”
Again, he wanted to kiss her.But Karim was in her arms, and Dan wasn’t sure how she’d feel about him watching.The little kid looked desperate for the beach, anyway.
“Mommy, splash.”
“Coming right up, sweet cheeks.”Libby turned back to Dan.“You coming, too?”
He shook his head.“I need to exercise and stretch.”
After Libby and Karim left, Dan stood quietly in Tia Rosa’s garden, resisting the urge to jump on Libby’s laptop to see the reactions to their post.But he’d meant what he’d said.If creating content with Libby was to be his new venture for the next couple of weeks, to debunk rumors and get the gossip press off his back, they needed to set some firm boundaries.Otherwise, social media would control and take over their lives.And he’d never wanted to be one of those people who lay in bed on his phone checking what strangers were saying about him.He’d rather spend that time doing other things in bed.Preferably with Libby.Naked.
Which brought him to the real reason he wasn’t joining her and Karim at the beach.There was something he needed to do before dinner.Something he’d been thinking about all day.
He checked the time, grabbed his wallet, and headed out to the road.
Onthewaybackfrom the beach, Libby entered the little store not far from Tia Rosa’s hut, attracted by the sign out front that promised milkshakes.She and Karim were sticky with seawater and sand and needed a refreshing treat.Excitement over her and Dan’s first post going live still buzzed through her, and she was itching to check the reaction, but Dan was right.It had been an intense, roller coaster of a day—on so many levels—and she’d needed the break and playtime with Karim.
As she approached the counter, her mouth watered when she saw the milkshake machine.She ordered a small banana one for Karim and a regular strawberry one for herself, then noticed the toiletries section to the left of the counter.
Toothpaste, shaving foam… Condoms.
The woman set the drinks down in front of her.“Can I get you anything else?”
Well…actually.
“I’ll have a box of those, please.”Libby pointed quickly at the bright-red packets on the shelf.
Without batting an eyelid, the woman placed one next to the milkshakes.It beamed like a million-watt flashlight.
“Anything else?”the woman asked.
“No, thank you.That’s it.”Libby handed over some cash, shoved the condoms into the bottom of the stroller, and quickly grabbed the shakes off the counter.“Thank you.Goodbye.”
“You have a pleasant evening, now,” the woman said.“And awonderfulnight.”
Lost for words, Libby felt her cheeks warm.She pushed up a quick smile and made a hasty exit.
Outside, she let her breath go.It had been a very long time since she’d bought condoms, and doing so again hadn’t even crossed her mind…until last night with Dan.
“Mommy!”
“Oh, gosh.Sorry, honey.Here.”She handed Karim his shake, made sure he was holding it securely, and then sucked on hers.The cool sweetness in her mouth helped some to cool her down, but the heat inside her was still ramped up high.Despite today’s drama, last night on the couch had played on repeat in her mind.She pressed her cool milkshake against her hot forehead.“We’d better get washed for dinner, honey.Hold your drink tight.It’s yummy, isn’t it?”
Karim babbled to himself as she pushed him toward the hut, and her mind drifted back to Dan.
The last time she’d had sex was the night she’d conceived Karim.
That was way over three years ago!
Not only was her body ready for action, but her heart… Until she’d met Dan, she hadn’t realized how lonely she’d become.And his show of solidarity and respect earlier, when his mother had said she hated journalists, had been truly touching.If only she could shake off this gnawing guilt that she’d once been just the kind of reporter they hated.But her work withHot Gossipwas firmly in the past.The only way Dan would find out is if she told him.And there was no need to do that.Especially after Libby had overheard him tell his mom that he thought she was clever, honest, and creative.And a lot of fun.The walls were paper thin in the hut, and she’d heard everything when she’d taken Karim to the bathroom.
