Page 115 of Jay Bird

She wanted to get in. God, did she want to.

It was brutally hot, and the water felt amazing against her legs. She had spent most of the afternoon sitting beneath the covered patio or beside the pool while everyone else jumped in and out.

Her fingers found the edge of the lightweight cover-up she wore.

She could take it off, and knew nobody here would hurt her or judge her.

Unfortunately, knowing something and believing it were sometimes two very different things.

“Mind if I join you?”

Willow looked up to find Alex standing beside her, a bottle of water in hand.

“Of course not.”

Alex sat down and slipped her feet into the pool with a sigh.

“Oh, that’s better.”

Willow smiled. “It’s hot.”

“Virginia in August. Ninety-five degrees with nine hundred percent humidity.”

Willow laughed.

They sat quietly for a moment, watching the kids. A shriek came from across the yard.

They both turned and watched as Sienna came racing toward the patio, still wearing the tiara and now sporting both flippers, while Amira chased after her with a water gun.

Alex watched them pass. Then shook her head, laughing. “Those two are double trouble.”

“Is that normal?”

“Unfortunately.”

Willow laughed.

“Momma!” Willow glanced toward Lily again.

Her daughter waved enthusiastically. “Swim!”

“She’s been asking you for a while,” Alex said gently.

Willow’s fingers tightened around the edge of her cover-up.

“Yeah.”

Alex didn’t say anything else.

That surprised Willow. She had expected a question, but instead, Alex just took another drink and turned her attention back to the pool.

After nearly a minute, she spoke.

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, but I’m guessing there’s a reason that cover-up hasn’t come off.”

Willow looked at her. There wasn’t any pity on Alex’s face, only a quiet understanding that made Willow feel seen rather than judged.

Willow swallowed. “There is.”