Chapter 16 #2
Okay, so slight problem. Dominic left for work early for a pre-show meeting, and Josephine has gone to the other side of the island for a two-day solo hiking trip up a mountain (of course she did).
I agreed to go for a sunset dip in the ocean with Henry and Ben this evening, which means we’re all frolicking around playfully in the water in our swimsuits, and Mr. Not-Dad-Bod is in a pair of black trunks that are leaving very little to my imagination.
And I know I shouldn’t be looking. Like, I actually do know it, okay.
No one has to tell me that it’s completely inappropriate to be ogling my future BIL.
But at the same time, my eyes are drinking in the sight of him right now as he gets Henry set up on a surfboard laying on his stomach and sends him back toward the shore.
Ben’s arms and chest flex as he pushes the board, and I can’t seem to look away.
Also, he’s laughing and smiling, and dear God, but he’s got the best smile I think I’ve ever seen.
Better than Giancarlo by about ten million percent.
I’m in the water up to my ankles so I can catch Henry if needed, but honestly, he doesn’t need my help.
The kid is a total pro, and I’m pretty sure he’s been riding a surfboard since he could walk.
Other than us and the odd seagull, the beach is empty.
The waves roll gently in toward the shore in white foamy swirls that disappear into the sand.
Behind Ben, the sun is about to dip down to reach the horizon, and the only sound competing with the lapping water is that of Henry’s irresistible little giggle.
He reaches the shore and I put my foot out to hold the board steady while he gets off, his life jacket clearly making the task a little more difficult.
He adjusts his prescription goggles, then grins up at me.
“Come on, Auntie Viv, you’ve got to try it! ”
“Oh, no, you keep going. You’re having so much fun,” I tell him, picking up the board and holding it under my arm like the real surfers do.
“I get to do this every day. I want you to try it,” he says, taking my hand while we wade back out to Ben against the gentle surf.
Ben grins at me and lifts Henry up onto his hip. “Yeah, why don’t you give it a try? I bet you’ll love it.”
“Do it! Do it!” Henry chants.
Blushing a little, I say, “All right, but I’m not exactly sporty, so try not to laugh.”
Ben takes the surfboard from me with his free hand, his fingers touching mine as he does, sending a thrill right through me to my toes. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’ve laid on your stomach before, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Then you can do this.” He holds the board in place for me while I climb on, trying my very best not to think about the fact that he’s so close to my bikini-clad bottom right now. God, I hope she looks good like this. Be perky, bottom.
No, don’t worry about that, silly beans! He’s not looking. He’s a gentleman.
I grip the board with both hands and hold on.
“You ready?” he asks in his deep voice.
“Yup,” I squeak out, even though there’s nothing scary about what I’m about to do.
“Away you go!” he says, pushing the board toward shore.
I squeal and hold on, feeling like a kid again as I zip toward the beach. When I get there, I quickly stand, then turn to Henry and Ben, who are cheering mightily as if I’ve just done something spectacular. I give them a deep bow.
“Again! Again!” Henry says as I walk back to them.
(Okay, so I’m not walking like I normally do. I may or may not be striding toward them with a little extra hitch in my hips and my shoulders back a wee bit more than normal. Bad Vivian. Bad. And yet, still doing it.)
“You know who hasn’t had a turn?” I ask Henry.
“My dad?”
“Yup! Your poor dad, right? I bet he wants a turn.” I give Ben a smile and I have to say, I don’t hate the look on his face right now. All that hip swaying might not have gone unnoticed.
Henry reaches for me and I take him out of Ben’s arms. The whole thing feels very warm and wonderful, like we’re a family in a Disney Cruise ad.
(In fact, all our time together the last few days feels like that.
Ben finally gave in and started eating the breakfasts I make, and man, can that guy eat.
I suppose having a physical job will do that to you.
It also gives him that ‘working man’ body that is impossible to miss.) He grips the board, but instead of laying down on it, he takes a few quick steps to get it moving, then jumps on and stands for a ride to shore, looking as casual as if he were standing in line at the bank.
Without realizing it, I let out a little sigh.
“My dad’s the best surfer on the whole island.”
The hottest too, I’m guessing. Smiling at him, I say, “Yeah, he’s got skills.”
“He won’t let me stand up on the surfboard yet, even though Jax is allowed to stand up on his and Uncle Dom says he and my dad were both standing up on their surfboards when they were three.”
“Three?” I turn to Ben. “That seems a little young, no?”
“It was back in the good old days before anyone knew that concussions have consequences,” he answers.
Henry gives his dad a winning smile. “Hey, now that I’m in school, maybe I’m old enough to try?!”
“Nope. Not tonight, my guy,” Ben says.
“When? Tomorrow?”
“Do you remember when?”
Henry turns to me. “I have to build up my muscles so I can swim against the tide.” He lifts his skinny arms and curls his biceps while stretching out his face and opening his eyes wide with the effort of his flexing.
It’s all I can do not to laugh, but I allow myself a big grin at him. “Wow, you’re already very strong.”
“Yup, I pretty much am,” he says with a little shrug.
Ben strides out toward us and lifts Henry out of my arms, placing him on the board. “Okay, mister, one more run, then we need to go inside and eat some supper.”
“Aww, Dad, can’t I do five more?”
“One, but we’ll make it the best one yet,” he answers. He backs the board up and says, “Hold on because you’re about to go turbo speed.”
Henry grips the board and giggles. “Turbo speed?!”
“Yup! You ready?!”
“I’m ready, Dad!”
“In five, four, three…”
Giggles fill the air.
“Two, one … and, away you go!” Ben yells, giving the board a big push.
Henry shouts, “Yeah, baby!!!” while he zooms toward the shore.
Ben and I wade through the warm water side-by-side, watching him as the board beaches itself, and he lays on it with his arms out. “That was awesome!”
We laugh and I can’t help but feel my heart soar with joy at this simple little moment. “This is a wonderful life you’ve got here, Mr. James,” I tell him.
He smiles down at me, then his face grows serious. “I know. I’m so lucky.”
“So is Henry.” I turn to him, stopping in the shallow water. “Most kids would love to grow up a few steps from the Caribbean, and have their own magical playhouse, and have an amazing dad like you.”
“Thanks,” Ben says. “It’s nothing glamorous, but I think we’re doing all right.”
“It’s the perfect life. Honestly, I don’t think anyone could ask for a better childhood.”
“Oh, I’m sure there are much better parents out there than me.”
I place my hand on his arm. “No, seriously, Ben. You’re doing a wonderful job. You really are. Take it from someone who grew up with a father who could not have been less interested in me. What you’re doing is special.”
We stare at each other for a second too long, and I feel a pull to reach up onto my tippy toes and kiss him.
I resist the urge though, reminding myself of who he is to me.
And that there’s a young child watching us who would be extremely confused if I did something so crazy.
But then at least there would be two totally confused people on this beach instead of just one.