Page 131 of Maximum Dare
“Time to take a vacation,” he said. “Come home.”
“Did you see the photos I sent?”
“The window display looks great.” He chuckled. “I know you’re obsessed, but we want you home.”
“I’m not obsessed.”
“Remember that time you tried to shag a mannequin in Harvey Nichols?”
“She fell on me!” I laughed. “It was her dress I was after.”
“So you say.”
“If you let me get off the phone, I’ll be on my way to you.”
“I see a foot rub in my future.”
“Wait a minute, you told me if I made it home before dinner,I’dbe getting the foot rub.”
“Your word against mine.”
“I’m getting in the car now.”
“Drive safe.”
I was less than a half hour away from our home. The ocean views were spectacular. I’d never ceased to be awed by the sight of the endless blue sea, or the feel of the warm air on my skin. I inhaled the fresh ocean breeze with gratitude.
Once inside the house, I heard Max’s voice coming from the garden. He was out there playing with our sweet six year old, Ava. She took after her daddy with her big brown eyes and luscious dark locks. We adored our beautiful, smart little girl. She easily switched back and forth, fluently, between English and Portuguese. It was a joy to be excited about the way she would continue to shine in the world.
Changing out of my skirt and blouse, I happily climbed into my yoga pants and roomy T-shirt, and then headed for the door. One of the drawers in Max’s bedside table was slightly open. I went to push it closed and then recognized a small object that Max had kept—Max had kept the ladybug button he’d carried around since our first kiss.
A shiver went through me; even now it meant something.
He was a little greyer now around his sideburns, though his eyes were just as bright and full of life. I’d fallen head over heels in love with that romantic and sentimental soul who made every moment special.
“Ouch!” Max’s yell came from downstairs.
I hurried down the winding stairwell that led to the living room. “What happened?”
Max was barefoot and hopping around the living room, clearly in pain.
Seeing me rush down the steps, he gave me a disapproving look. “Careful!”
“I’m totally capable of walking. What’s wrong?”
He pointed a finger at his foot. “There’s no worse pain than this.”
I rested my hands on my hips. “Hello, you forgot childbirth.”
“Not even close.” He rubbed his sole.
I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile. “You stepped on a Lego again, didn’t you?”
“This is not funny.”
“I’m not laughing.”
His lips curled at the edges. “I didn’t know fatherhood could be so dangerous.”
