Page 35 of Summer Escape
Once our s'mores were finished, we ate in front of the fire, licking our fingers and laughing about how messy they were.
Eventually, Marshall jumped up to grab drinks. We sipped apple cider while we stared at the fire.
"Do you care if I jump in the water?" Hayden eventually asked her dad.
"Of course not."
It was past her usual bedtime, but maybe Marshall was lightening up on the rules for one night so we could enjoy this time together.
As much as I appreciated the quiet evening with Marshall, it was equally nice to have Hayden here too. I had a new appreciation for the family life: getting married, and having kids, living in a home together. Suddenly, I wanted to be settled.
I didn't want to have to worry about whether the man I was with was also seeing another woman on the side. I didn't want the urge to check his text messages or emails or even follow him to see if he was where he said he was going to be. I had to believe that situation was limited to Flynn.
Marshall seemed like a solid guy who lived by a set of rules and guidelines for how he should act. He wanted to be a better man. He wouldn't treat me the same way Flynn did, but I wasn't sure I wanted to take that risk.
I should be licking my wounds and finding a way to move on from the damage that Flynn had inflicted. I shouldn't move onto another man, even if I'd been with Marshall in the past.
Hayden ran inside and put on a bathing suit. When she returned, she jumped into the water. Eventually, Marshall joined her, challenging her to races across the length of the pool. I stood at the edge, declaring the winner. It was fun.
When the fire started to die down, Hayden pulled herself out of the pool. "I'm going to bed." She wrapped herself in a beach towel. "Thanks for a nice night."
"You're welcome." When she slipped inside, he said, "I'll clean up if you want to go too."
I gathered the leftover food and took it into the kitchen while he worked to put out the fire. Inside, I washed the stickiness from my hands, then changed into a swimsuit. "I kind of want to get in the hot tub."
Marshall nodded. "That's a good idea. I haven't tried it out yet."
I turned on the jets, adjusting the lights so that the water was illuminated blue. Once the fire was out, Marshall stepped into the water with me.
The jets were massaging my back. "This feels amazing."
Marshall settled next to me on the bench seat. "I can't imagine having this all the time. A pool and a hot tub, the beach so close by."
"It's a dream." One for someone else. I'd never seriously considered moving to Sanibel. There were few options for jobs unless you worked in the restaurant or tourist business.
"Who says you can't live your dreams?" Marshall said softly, his face determined.
"My bills. My job," I said with a laugh.
"You could work for yourself and live anywhere."
"That idea is more attractive every day I'm here. It feels like a permanent vacation." I always imagined I'd retire to the island, possibly inheriting Grandma's beach cottage. But that seemed so far in the future.
"Your grandmother would love to have you on the island more."
"I bet she would." Although she was fine on her own. She had a ton of friends and people who loved her and looked out for her. She didn't need me here. Would I consider finding a way to stay if she did need me? Maybe.
After Flynn, I craved stability and security, which my job provided. Could I consider leaving it to open a business? It seemed too risky.
Marshall reached out, snagging my wrist and pulling me toward him so that I sat next to him on the bench seat. I felt weightless, removed from the pressures of life off the island.
It seemed like we could stay like this forever. That we could avoid the harsh realities of life, at least for a little while. Maybe we should consider the possibility of enjoying each other.
His thumb stroked the back of my hand, sending tingles up my arm. "I'm sorry our kiss was interrupted."
My heart rate picked up. "Me too."
I hoped we'd have more nights like this one.
