She couldn’t believe she was even thinking long-term—they’d only been dating one week!
He caught her staring and the corner of his lips tipped upward.
That familiar buzz of chemistry washed through her like a drug. To heck with all the fretting. She just couldn’t resist that face. “After the aquarium why don’t you stay for supper?” No idea what she’d fix. She hadn’t been to the grocery store in a week. But she wanted more time with him. Time alone with him after Zoey went down.
“Why don’t we pick up pizza on the way home?”
She smiled. “Perfect.”
“Jellyfish are my favorite,” Zoey proclaimed as they headed toward the exit.
“What do you like about them?” Maggie asked.
“They’re weird and swooshy.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself, kid.” Josh pushed open the door, and they exited to a huge deck that offered a play pad with climbing equipment. Picnic tables surrounded the playground.
“Come play with me, Uncle Josh. Please.”
“Very nice manners. I’ll come play but you have to go through the tunnel with me.”
“You’re too big for the tunnel.”
“Wanna bet?”
“I’m gonna grab some water,” Maggie called as Zoey dragged him toward the playground.
Maggie got two bottles from the vending machine and settled at an empty table where she could watch them. A while ago, near the fish tank, they’d run into a pretty young thing, Amanda, whom Josh had gone out with “a time or two.” It seemed they couldn’t go anywhere without running into one of his former girlfriends.
But Maggie had put the encounter from her mind as Josh seemed singularly focused on her and Zoey. They gawked at the sea creatures in the two-story aquarium, took the requisite photos with the giant megalodon jaw, and stood hypnotized by the graceful movements in the towering jellyfish tank. She was sorry she hadn’t brought Zoey here earlier this summer.
But she’d been busier than she’d expected with four swim students, meeting with each of them twice a week. She’d also been squeezing in some lesson plans, though her heart wasn’t in it.
She got out her phone and returned a text from Erin and a teacher friend from back home, asking about a lunch date before the school year started.
She was halfway done with her water when Josh sat on the other side of the table. “She found a few friends.”
“She usually does.” Maggie lowered her phone and watched Zoey lead three younger children through the rope maze, giving instructions as they went. “Do you think she’s too bossy?”
“She’s a born leader. It’s a good quality.” He smiled as Zoey helped a little boy across the rope bridge. “She’s a good kid, Mags. You’re doing a great job.”
“I hope so. It’s not been easy.”
“Ethan would be so proud of you. I hate that he’s not around to see how sweet and spunky she is—that’s all you. But sometimes she has this expression that reminds me so much of him.”
“When she discovers something new? I’ve noticed that too. Also that pouty look when she sulks.”
Josh gave a wistful smile. “He did sulk on occasion.”
It used to drive her crazy. But she’d give anything to see that pouty face again.
Neither of them had to mention that the five-year anniversary of his death was just twelve days away. It was no doubt heavy on all their minds. His parents would return in about a week, and they would release Ethan’s ashes on the seventh as planned. “Are your parents looking forward to coming home?”
“I think Dad’s ready. Mom’s having a blast, though. But she’s missing the grandkids pretty bad.”
“We FaceTimed a few days ago. And they’ll get to spend some quality time with Zoey before we head back home.” They’d invited Zoey and her to stay until Maggie had to return to work.
“I’m glad you’re staying a bit longer. After that I guess we’ll be doing some long-distance dating.” His gaze locked on her. “Is that too presumptuous of me?”
