Page 81 of Just a Plot Twist
“Nonsense.” I glance at the dog’s smooshed face. “She has stars in her eyes when she looks at you, Benson.”
“Kinda like when I look at you.” His gaze bores into me. My glance dips down to his lips.
I swallow hard. “Guess what? I like you, too.”
Dax’s shout startles me. “Dad, you’re up! We beat Indie and Alec. Singles. You and me.”
Benson closes his eyes and presses a kiss to my upturned palm, near my wrist.
I shiver.
“I’ll be back,” he says.
“You’d better not lose to Dax,” I tease.
“What will you give me if I beat him?”
“Your man card for one thing. But I’ll be thinking about something else.” Again, I can’t help my gaze going to his mouth.
Especially when it curves into a gentle smile and I give him one to match.
After the recreational activities, Alec and Oakley work on readying the boats while Benson and I take the kids inside to the corner eatery for aquick dinner. Then we’re back outside, this time to the dock. Once we get our life jackets secured, we board the boat. Alec drives, but he shows Benson the ropes, and then it’s Benson’s turn to manage the lever as the motorboat purrs along the cool, turquoise water, smooth as glass.
“Later on in the summer, we’ll bring out the jet skis and have you guys back,” Oakley says.
There’s a lot of laughing and talking—the kids love all of it. But then we’re quiet when the glossy ibis come into view on a sand bar near the far edge of the lake.
Alec cuts the engine, and we watch as a flock of six, with their long, noble beaks, take plucking steps on delicately webbed feet.
“The glossy ibis embodies exploration and trust,” Oakley says quietly.
“According to Greek tradition,” Alec adds.
I steal a glance at Benson, and when he returns my gaze, it’s as if I’m suddenly totally and completelyseen. Understood.
I like it. Everything in my life lately is about exploration and trust, and Benson is the reason for that.
I have to swallow away a lump in my throat.
The sun is low in the sky, and soon, Alec’s got the boat revved up to top speed, racing back to the resort.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Dax shouts over the hum of the engine, his fist in the air and his brown hair flattened by the uptick in wind.
After popcorn and a movie in the suite they’re staying in, Benson gets the kids settled in their beds. They protest, saying they’re not ready to go to sleep.
“But Cinnamon is,” Benson says. “Be a good older brother and sister to her and go to sleep so she will, okay?”
The kids nod, but it’ll likely take them a while to fall asleep.
“I’m going to walk Claire out to her car. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Do not leave this room, okay?” He waits for their nods. “Your uncle Henry’s security team has cameras in all the halls, so we’d know immediately if you try.”
I give the kids high fives and Cinnamon a pat. “Thanks for letting me come, you guys. I had a blast.”
“Will you come back when your ankle is better so we can play doubles with you?” Dax asks.
“Only if you promise we’ll beat your dad.”
“Of course we will.” Dax gives his dad the grin of a champion.
