Page 56 of Just Like That
Come to think of it, he doesn’t really talk aboutanything. I had no idea when they’d scheduled the lake to be dragged, let alone for today. I had no right to feel the tiny pang of hurt, so I shoved it down.
Lark shook her head. “I hope he’s okay. Russell King sure did a number on all those kids. It’s so heartbreaking. I could never imagine treating your own children like commodities the way he did.”
I swallowed hard as I watched JP laugh at something Penny said. “Yeah,” I squeaked. “Me too.”
JP sauntered toward us, water glistening off his pecs as it sparkled in the sunshine.
“Hey,” he said, breathless. “They’re begging for an ice-cream cone.” He looked at Lark. “Are you okay if I get Penny something at the Snack Shack?”
“Of course. Just as long as you get me something too.” Lark smiled as she reached for her bag, but JP stopped her.
“I got it.” He bent down to fish out his wallet, but before he stood back up, he winked at me.
My body immediately responded, and an electric shiver worked its way down my back.
“You need anything?” he asked me with a sexy grin.
Oh, I needsomethingall right.
JP knew exactly what he was doing with his devastating smirk and the sensual knowing glittering in his blue eyes.
“Surprise me.” I blushed and called out to Teddy, who was running up to us: “Please stay close to JP and Penny.”
Teddy nodded and slipped his hand into JP’s as my heart rolled. I watched Penny flounce in front of them while JP and Teddy walked hand in hand toward the Snack Shack.
Two little lost boys without a mother.
NINETEEN
JP
I couldn’t recallthe last time I had enjoyed a midday, leisurely stroll through downtown.
Probably never.
After Teddy got restless at the beach, we’d packed up, and Hazel said she planned to find them another adventure so I could finally head to work. We parted ways, but it surprised me how I couldn’t stop thinking about what they were up to.
Do seven-year-olds nap?
Did they check out the library?
Maybe I could call Sylvie and see about blueberry picking.
There’s a new go-kart place that just opened up. Would he like that?
Early-morning beach day with Hazel and Teddy was messing with my head ... and my routine. Typically my workday started at 5:00 a.m. with sorting emails while I ran three miles on the treadmill. By seven I was sequestered in my office, hunched over proposals, projections, and paperwork.
I released a breath and took in my surroundings. Somehow I had forgotten how quaint and folksy my hometown was. By now summer was waning and the vacation crowds were dwindling. We were in that precious lull where tourism shifted from the peak of summer on the beach and transitioned to a cozier fall with apple picking and hayrides.
Even the air smelled different.
I hadn’t missed the way the slight chill of the lake breeze made Hazel’s nipple rings press against the flimsy fabric of her lavender bathing suit top. She didn’t seem to care at all that she was driving me mad by simply existing.
Despite the mirrored lenses of her sunglasses, I could feel her eyes on me all morning. Whether she was assessing my interactions with Teddy or recalling the way my teeth had nipped at her neck as she rode my hand, I didn’t care. I liked how her appreciative gaze heated my skin and puffed my chest.
I shook her from my thoughts.
Walking in my direction, Ms. Tiny was bustling down the street, staring at me with a strange expression. The elderly woman’s face looked like a worn leather couch that was pissed off you’d ruined the finish. When I realized I had been whistling, I cleared my throat and stuffed my hand into the pocket of my slacks.