Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Saylor
I watched Marshall walk away from me. Logically, I knew he had to go. His daughter would always come first, and I understood that. But the romantic side of me wanted a moment with him that wouldn't be interrupted.
I touched my lips, which were still tingling from that soft kiss. Would he have continued if Hayden hadn't texted? Would we still be kissing under the stars or dancing to another song?
Was walking in on me in the bathtub a catalyst for a more intimate night? Had it broken down some of the walls between us? Was he considering revisiting our relationship?
I wasn't sure how I felt about that. We were roommates, and I was helping him with his daughter. But we were both adults who were physically attracted to each other. And we had a history.
I wondered if we were together, if he would have joined me in the tub. I kind of liked the idea of him slipping into the bath with me before we made dinner together. It was a domestic scene I'd never craved before.
We were playing house together and flirting with a relationship, cooking in the kitchen, spending time in front of the fire, and dancing by the pool.
It was romantic. Intimate even. But what did this kiss mean? Did he want more? Would it have led to more if we hadn't been interrupted?
I sat in the chair by the fire, my entire body vibrating with unrestrained desire. I wanted him, and it wasn't because we dated before or that I felt like I was in love with him at some point in the past. It was because I liked the man he was now.
I wanted to get to know this man better. I wanted to explore this thing between us. But there were other things at play: his daughter, his family… and I needed to leave at the end of the summer.
I waited by the fire, running the possible scenarios through my head. Could we start something even though I'd be leaving in August? What would that be? A summer fling? A rebound? Was that a good idea?
Sometime later, the slider opened, and Hayden said, "You had a fire without me?"
I laughed at her enthusiasm. "I didn't realize you wanted one."
"Dad is grabbing the makings for s'mores," Hayden said as she sat next to me. "This is so nice."
I smiled, my stress dissipating. "Did you have a good night with your friend?"
Hayden sighed as she relaxed against the cushions. "It was nice to talk to another girl, you know? I missed seeing my friends in person."
"I bet." Friendships were important. The reminder only highlighted the fact that mine had been radio silent since I discovered Flynn's betrayal.
Marshall came outside with a box of graham crackers, a bag of marshmallows, chocolate squares, and the spears for the fire. He popped open the bag and speared the marshmallows with the sharp ends before hanging one to each of us.
We stood and moved closer to the fire, trying to find the perfect flame to heat our sweets. Once mine was browned, I removed it from the fire and handed it to Marshall to stack the s'more.
Marshall raised a brow. "Is yours done?"
"You have to wait until it's black," Hayden said.
"I didn't realize you like your marshmallows burned," Marshall said, and I wondered if he was thinking about how much else he'd missed about his daughter over the years.
"That's the best," Hayden said with a smile.
I hadn't seen her this relaxed since they'd moved in.
She was usually tense and quick to talk back to Marshall.
But tonight, she was easygoing and happy.
I wondered if it was hanging out with a girlfriend that had prompted the change.
If so, Marshall should encourage her to spend more time with friends on the island.
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.
We stayed in the water until our skin wrinkled, then dried off and went to our separate rooms. I stayed awake long into the night, wondering what would happen if I slipped into his room and into his bed. Would he welcome me? Or would he tell me all the reasons why we were a bad bet?
The rest of the week, Hayden worked at the senior center for a few hours every day. She was earning volunteer hours for her graduation but, at the same time, making friends and doing something good for the community.
I had a deadline at the end of the week for a project, so I worked long hours, trying to come up with various options for a logo for a company we'd just started working with. The pressure was high.
I worked best when I had some time to take a break and could come back with fresh ideas. But I often had to work within strict parameters and time limits. It limited my creativity.
Marshall had taken to bringing me sandwiches for lunch and even dinner.
By Friday, I was exhausted physically and mentally. I hit Send on the project and hoped it would be good enough to beat out my coworkers. We earned bonuses when our images were chosen, and I could use the extra money. Especially if I was going to consider the possibility of starting a business.
"You're joining us for dinner?" Marshall asked when I appeared in the kitchen, feeling like I'd been run over by a truck.
"I'm starving."
Marshall quickly cut up some fruit and cheese, laying out crackers. "Eat this and then go take a bath. You deserve it."
"He's making fish on the grill," Hayden said.
"And then I'm taking her to a friend's house."
My breath caught in my throat. "That sounds like fun."
Hayden smiled. "It's a few of us from the center."
Marshall's brow furrowed. "She's assured me it's only girls."
Hayden sighed. "You can talk to her mother when you drop me off."
"You know I will," Marshall said.
When I'd eaten, he said, "Now take a bath. I've got dinner."
"I'm not going to argue with that," I said as I made my way upstairs.
In the tub, I could hear the soft murmur of Marshall's and Hayden's voices in the kitchen below. It was comforting, and I was content to stay in the tub until the water cooled.