"That was Maddie," I say.
"Sure," Dex says.
He caps the marker.
"Anyway," he continues, "the pool remains open."
"You’re unbelievable," I say.
"You married the right woman," Bobby says suddenly.
I glance at him.
"What?"
He shrugs again.
"She fits," he says simply.
That quiet sentence lands heavier than the jokes.
Because he’s right.
The image flashes in my head before I can stop it.
Natalie in the kitchen.
Flour on her cheek.
Laughing while Maddie names cupcakes.
Daisy running through the house with pink frosting on her face.
The two of them laughing like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
Like they’ve always been there.
I shake the thought away.
Dex claps his hands loudly.
"Alright boys," he says. "Pool closes at midnight tonight."
I grab my towel.
"I’m taking a shower."
"You should call Natalie," Dex calls after me.
"Why?"
"For research purposes," he says.
"Shut up," I reply.
I head toward the showers.
But before I disappear down the hallway, I glance back once more.
