Page 44 of Summer Escape
I bit my lip. "And anything happening between us is probably too soon."
"We're not going to worry about the details. We're going to enjoy ourselves. I think we both deserve to be selfish."
I let out the breath I'd been holding. "I can do that."
Marshall turned around, and we walked back toward Hayden. "I don't want to say anything to my family."
"Of course not," I immediately agreed.
"Or to Hayden."
That shouldn't have surprised me, and I shouldn't be having a physical reaction to his declaration. But I was disappointed. A part of me apparently wanted more, but I'd have to shove those feelings down because it wasn't the right time.
When we got back, Hayden asked for sand toys, so Marshall returned to the cottage to grab them. Then we spent the morning making an elaborate castle with a moat. It was fun and made me feel like a little kid again.
It was clear that Hayden enjoyed making things. When we were packing up to leave, Hayden said, "Phyllis asked me to paint a mural at the center."
Marshall paused. "Really?"
"She's not sure what she wants. She said I could give her a few ideas, and she'd take a look at them."
"Are you going to do it?" Marshall asked.
"I don't know. I've never drawn anything that large."
"I can help you with scaling your design," I offered.
"I'm only here for the summer, and I'm probably not good enough to do something like that."
I looked to Marshall because this was his opportunity to step in.
"I've seen your work. I think you can do it," Marshall said simply, picking up the chairs and heading toward the cottage.
"I think this is an amazing opportunity for you," I said to Hayden, worried I'd said too much. Would she resist the more we pushed?
"I'll think about it," she finally said.
Inside, we parted ways to take showers and to get ready for family dinner. Marshall offered the bathroom to me first since he still needed to hose off the things we'd taken to the beach. I showered quickly, then moved to my room to choose a dress.
It was slightly awkward because I was Marshall's roommate slash friend with benefits. I wasn't sure what he would consider me, but whatever it was, I shouldn't be at a family dinner. I should be avoiding his family at all costs.
I hoped no one would figure out that we were more than roommates. I'd have to act like nothing had happened. I'd already done that all morning with Hayden, so it shouldn't be a problem.
I picked a sundress, packing a bathing suit in case we ended up in the pool or at the beach. When the shower came on in the shared bathroom, I went downstairs so I wouldn't be thinking about how Marshall was naked in the shower just steps away from me.
When Marshall was ready, we all piled into his truck and headed toward his parents' home. I'd never been there when we were dating. We mostly avoided our families, enjoying our time together like only teenagers can.
We wanted to escape our regular lives. It was interesting that I was finally meeting them now when nothing was supposed to be happening between us.
Marshall parked, and we got out. He knocked on the open storm door, and his mother waved for us to come inside. She moved toward us, pulling Marshall into a hug before doing the same for Hayden.
"I'm so glad you could join us," Joy said to me, but I felt like her statement was for all three of us. Marshall hadn't bothered to attend any of the other Sunday family dinners since he'd been back.
"Everyone's here. Come on in," she continued as we followed her into the kitchen. I knew Marshall had a large family, but this was overwhelming.
There were family members in the kitchen, the living room, and spilling onto the deck where the table was set.
I tried to settle my nerves. I was only here as a guest. I wasn't Marshall's girlfriend or even a friend. It was polite to invite his roommate for dinner. I had no reason to be anxious.
