Page 77 of Maverick

When I get a little closer, I spot Evie and Mia. They're both in the water, and Colton is right there with them, making a complete goof of himself. His goggles and snorkel match Mia's, but while her flippers are a delicate pink, his are massive and black.

Colton's antics have Mia howling, her laughter ringing out across the rooftop. He's thrashing, legs closed like some kind of insane mermaid. Mia keeps trying to show him how to do it gracefully, but either he's not capable, or he's playing it up to keep her laughing.

I'm kind of betting on the latter.

It's clear that Colton adores Mia and would do anything to make her happy. He's equally infatuated with his wife. Every time he passes Evie, he flails in for a kiss, making her giggle, then continues on his circuit. Watching them together, I feel a warmth spread through my chest.I want that.

I want the doting husband and beautiful children.

I wantthis.

I scan the pool area, taking in the lively scene, when my eyes land on a familiar figure lounging nearby in a flowing flower printed caftan. I'd recognize it anywhere. Nan picked it up on her and Pops thirtieth anniversary trip to Hawaii, and wore it every time we went to the pool when I was a kid.

I make my way over to her, noticing Ransom approach with a drink in hand, setting it on the table at her elbow. He drops onto the lounger next to her, looking relaxed and at ease.

Leaning down, I press a kiss to her soft cheek. "Nan? I didn't expect to see you up here."

She looks up at me with a smile. "Ransom here knocked on the door and invited me up. Such a nice young man."

I glance at Ransom, who gives me a nod and a wink.

"He's a good kid," Nan adds, patting Ransom's arm. “And he cooked. Well…he had someone cook.”

Ransom snorts and grins. “I had a chef come barbeque up here. Trust me, you wouldn’t want anything I can make.”

Before I can respond, Bree and Nick plop down on the loungers on Nan's other side. They're dripping wet and bickering playfully.

"I totally had the straightest handstand," Bree insists.

Nick scoffs. "No way! Mine was way better."

They turn to Nan, eyes pleading. "Nan, you be the judge," Nick says. "Who had the best handstand?"

Nan leans forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

Bree and Nick scramble back to the pool, determination written all over their faces. I watch as they take turns attempting handstands. Nick manages to get his legs fully out of the water, but there's a lot of flailing involved.

When they return, breathless and grinning, Nan doesn't hold back, pulling out her most supportive voice. "Wow Nick. You sure tried hard honey. So much trying. Good job." Ransom coughs, hiding his laugh. "Bree, those long legs of yours are killer. And they were so straight and still. You are the best, for sure."

Nick pouts, but quickly scoops up Bree, hauling her back to the side of the pool. "Come on beautiful, teach me how to do that," he growls, then jumps right back in, Bree laughing in his arms.

Across the pool, another arm goes up. "Nan, watch me."

Nan rolls her eyes, but it's all for show. She's practically glowing, loving all the attention and love being demanded from her. She pushes off the lounger. "All right, all right. Hold your horses."

I drop into her spot, smoothing my dress over my thighs as Maverick sits right next to me. He leans back, bracing an arm behind my back, then curses and pushes up as his phone rings."Be right back," he mutters, pulling his phone out of the pocket of his swim shorts and moving to the clear glass railing at the edge of the roof. My stomach twists uncomfortably, seeing him that close to the edge, forty stories up, so I suck in a deep breath, yank my eyes away from him, and pray I don't puke.

Ransom grins. "Not a fan of heights?"

"I'm fine with them when there's a whole wall between me and the outside. That railing's a little low, isn't it?"

He doesn't look, just shakes his head. "It's all to code. Sometimes the best way over a fear is through it. We could take you skydiving."

"Shut the fuck up. I don't ever want to hear those words leave your mouth again." I mean, seriously? No fucking way. It's only after I curse him out that I realize I may have mis-stepped, but the grin on his face reassures me that I didn't offend him.

Out of habit, I check on Nan, finding her sitting at the edge of the pool, legs dangling, chatting with Cara and Becca. "Did they just get here?"

Ransom shakes his head. "Nah. They've been here an hour or so. They came straight from the Dojo."