Page 42 of Sweet Summer Surprise
Danielle’s stomach sank. That’s what she got for allowing herself to fantasize. It would be years before she could reconcile her obligation to her kids and her desire to be with Matteo full time.
Olivia’s soft hand fell on her shoulder. “You’re not gonna ask us to move, are you?”
She should’ve bought that crystal Zora recommended for wisdom and balance. “No, baby, I’m not going to ask you to move. Not anytime soon, anyway. But I will want to come here more often.”
Noah folded and unfolded a strip of corn husk. “Are you gonna marry Matteo?”
Her heart pinched as she drank in Olivia’s tight-lipped expression, Noah’s nervous, fiddly fingers. So young, so at the mercy of her decision.
“Matteo and I just met two weeks ago. It’s way too early to talk about marriage.”
Both kids exhaled.
“I really like him, though, and I want to keep seeing him. I don’t know if we’ll end up together long term or not. I hope we will. But you guys always come first.”
Noah grinned. “That’s cool. I like him too, way better than Sharla.”
“Sharla’s okay,” Olivia added. “Not as nice as Matteo, but she’s not mean or anything.” She exchanged a look with her brother. “But her sons are dickwads.”
Noah nodded. “Total douche waffles.”
She held up a hand. “Hey, hey, where’s this language coming from?”
Oliva tsked. “We’re not babies, Mom. And don’t worry. We’re not gonna turn into Brayden and Jayden if you hook up with Matteo.” She cocked a hip. “Lots of my friends’ parents are divorced. Right, bro?”
“At least half. Hey—” he clutched a handful of corn husks. “Matteo doesn’t have kids, does he?”
“Nope.” She grabbed a kitchen towel from the counter and flicked it at each of them. “Now, let’s get this chicken on the grill.”
While the chicken sizzled, she snuck glances at the kids, flopped on their bellies on the chaise cushions, snort-laughing over videos on Olivia’s phone. Love for them swelled her chest and filled her eyes with happy tears. They really were great kids, and even if their new normal didn’t resemble their old life, they were going to be okay.
“We’re all going to be okay,” she whispered to the brilliant blue sky.
Chapter Eighteen
Later that Night
GoodthingMatteo’sfriendshad saved them a spot because cars and trucks lined up on the hard-packed sand, and the rest of the beach was a patchwork of blankets, towels, and tents with hardly any room to walk, much less stretch out.
Snuggled together on their beach blanket, Danielle and Matteo watched the fireworks grand finale blossom and boom. Olivia, Noah, and the half-dozen kids attached to their group hooted Oohs and Aahs with each new burst.
With a dreamy smile, Danielle leaned onto Matteo’s broad shoulder. “We did exactly the same thing when I was a kid.”
“Us too.” He chuckled. “But back then, I wasn’t remembering a certain night in a tent with a certain lady.” He kissed her hair. “Talk about fireworks, bella. Kapow.”
Her body heated at the reminder. Since the kids’ arrival, she and Matteo had to settle for clandestine groping. No matter how cool they seemed with the idea of Mom dating, she wasn’t ready to sleep with Matteo under the same roof as her kids. And man, was she feeling the lack.
“Cowabunga!” Noah dove down beside them, spraying sand everywhere. “That was great. Is there any food left?”
Danielle pointed. “Go ask Jerry. He’s in charge of the grill.”
He was halfway to his feet when Matteo stopped him. “Fix yourself a plate, and get your sister, okay? I want to talk to you guys.”
Noah cocked his head to the side, then shrugged and trotted off.
Goosebumps prickled her skin. “Matteo, what—?”
He patted her knee. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna propose.” He winked. “Not tonight, anyway.”
