Page 82 of The Path To Us

Chapter Eighteen

Beau

“This is crazy,” I whisper into Addy’s ear as we sit on the edge of the shallow end of the pool, watching Zoey splash around with the other kids. She hasn’t asked us to go into the deeper part with her yet to help her learn to swim because she’s been too busy playing. Which is fine. As busy as it is here, I don’t see how either Addy or I could give her any sort of lessons. Addy decided it would be better to have her take official lessons so we gave Zoey limits on where she’s allowed to go without us and so far, she’s been doing a great job at listening to our instructions.

But that’s about the only good part about our time here at the public pool. I’ve never been stared at so much in my life and it makes me glad that I made that call to my parents this morning because I know we’re the talk of the town.

“We expected it,” Addy says quietly, fingertips skimming over the water.

I dip a hand into the water, cup my fingers together, and bring it up to my shoulder, letting it run down my arm. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Because you don’t want people to know we’re together?”

I nudge her with my shoulder. “Get outta here with that crap. You know that’s not true at all.”

She glances up at me under her lashes and smiles. “I know. I just wanted to see what you’d say.”

“I thought I was the one who teased you?”

“Mutual teasing. Anyway, I get why you don’t like it. I don’t either. But maybe we just have to deal with it until it dies down.”

“Which is only until the next round of gossip hits town.”

“Exactly.”

I let my thumb graze her backside as I lean back on my hands, scooting a little closer to her. “They’re probably thinking why the hell is that bombshell of a woman with that big oaf.”

She dips her face. “Whatever. That’s about the opposite. Have you seen them checking you out? I’m about ten seconds away from making you put your shirt back on.”

“Jealous?”

“Yes,” she says without hesitation.

“That’s so damn hot, Addy. Do you realize how many years I’ve wanted you to be jealous over me?”

“Jerk.”

“Hey, I’m not saying it’s okay but that’s the truth of it because just the thought of another man looking at you makes me crazy.”

“Jealous?”

“Fuck yeah.”

She turns her head to look at me and I wish her sunglasses weren’t covering her eyes. “You’re right. That’s hot.”

I grin and she returns it and we go back to watching Zoey, letting the people stare and gossip all they want. Whatever they’re thinking, whatever they’re saying, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is the two of us and what we know.

Zoey comes trudging through the water that’s waist-high with a big smile.

“Having fun, Squirt?”

“Uh huh! So fun!”

When we got here, I asked Addy if they’d ever been here and she said a few times, but since Chris had the pool at his place, they didn’t come often. Zoey squealed and skip-walked when we reminded her there was no running because she was so excited to get into the water.

“Ready to go jump on the big board?”

She shakes her head with wide eyes. “No way. Dats too big for me.”

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