Chapter 30
The sound of rushing water greeted Josh, Maggie, and Zoey as they entered the aquarium at Fort Fisher.
“Look at the otters, Mommy!” Zoey rushed over to the window to watch the animals frolic in the water.
“Aren’t they cute?” Brad and Becky had brought her daughter here a few years ago, but Zoey didn’t remember.
“Do you hear them chirping?” Josh asked.
The sounds echoed through the cavernous building.
Zoey cocked her head, listening. “Otters chirp ?” Her voice rose on the last word as she crinkled her nose.
He chuckled at her expression. “They sure do.”
Josh strolled along the pavers with Maggie while Zoey rushed from one lookout to the next. When they stopped he brushed Maggie’s
hand with the back of his in a way that could’ve only been deliberate.
Her skin tingled at the touch, and a sidelong glance revealed Josh gazing longingly at her.
Awareness flickered between them, reminding Maggie of last night’s amazing sunset kiss. What it had lacked in length, it more
than made up for in warmth and fervor.
“I do love that little girl of yours,” Josh whispered. “But I sure wish we were alone right now.”
“What would you do?”
His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering there for a beat. “Exactly what you want me to do.”
His lips were inviting, the lower one slightly plump and pink. She could almost feel the bristle of his five-o’clock shadow
against her cheek.
“Look, Mommy! Look at the funny fish.”
They joined Zoey at the tank and pointed out the different kinds of fish, then followed along as she wandered from one display
to the next. Josh took her picture by a fake alligator, then they moved on to the next section where Zoey dropped to her knees
to play in the man-made tide pool with several other children.
Josh and Maggie had been careful to keep their interactions platonic around Zoey. She was verbal enough to tell anyone who
might listen that Uncle Josh and Mommy had been holding hands.
And it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep those boundaries in place. It seemed that ever since she’d given herself
permission to care for Josh, her heart had been in a free fall. When he wasn’t there, she missed him and made mental notes
of the things she’d share with him.
And when they were together, she wanted to touch him. She wanted to bask in his obvious affection. She was starting to wonder
why she’d been so insistent they take it slow. She knew him better than practically anyone. Admired him. Respected him. He’d
always been so good to her and Zoey, offering support and comfort. The romantic feelings were a natural extension of the foundation
they’d built over many years.
But it was already the end of July and she was due back at school August 18. Just over three weeks away. Somehow summer was
almost over. How would their relationship evolve in the long term?
She couldn’t believe she was even thinking long-term—they’d only been dating one week!
He caught her staring and the corner of his lips tipped upward.
That familiar buzz of chemistry washed through her like a drug. To heck with all the fretting. She just couldn’t resist that
face. “After the aquarium why don’t you stay for supper?” No idea what she’d fix. She hadn’t been to the grocery store in
a week. But she wanted more time with him. Time alone with him after Zoey went down.
“Why don’t we pick up pizza on the way home?”
She smiled. “Perfect.”
“Jellyfish are my favorite,” Zoey proclaimed as they headed toward the exit.
“What do you like about them?” Maggie asked.
“They’re weird and swooshy.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself, kid.” Josh pushed open the door, and they exited to a huge deck that offered a play
pad with climbing equipment. Picnic tables surrounded the playground.
“Come play with me, Uncle Josh. Please . ”
“Very nice manners. I’ll come play but you have to go through the tunnel with me.”
“You’re too big for the tunnel.”
“Wanna bet?”
“I’m gonna grab some water,” Maggie called as Zoey dragged him toward the playground.
Maggie got two bottles from the vending machine and settled at an empty table where she could watch them. A while ago, near
the fish tank, they’d run into a pretty young thing, Amanda, whom Josh had gone out with “a time or two.” It seemed they couldn’t
go anywhere without running into one of his former girlfriends.
But Maggie had put the encounter from her mind as Josh seemed singularly focused on her and Zoey. They gawked at the sea creatures in the two-story aquarium, took the requisite photos with the giant megalodon jaw, and stood hypnotized by the graceful movements in the towering jellyfish tank. She was sorry she hadn’t brought Zoey here earlier this summer.
But she’d been busier than she’d expected with four swim students, meeting with each of them twice a week. She’d also been
squeezing in some lesson plans, though her heart wasn’t in it.
She got out her phone and returned a text from Erin and a teacher friend from back home, asking about a lunch date before
the school year started.
She was halfway done with her water when Josh sat on the other side of the table. “She found a few friends.”
“She usually does.” Maggie lowered her phone and watched Zoey lead three younger children through the rope maze, giving instructions
as they went. “Do you think she’s too bossy?”
“She’s a born leader. It’s a good quality.” He smiled as Zoey helped a little boy across the rope bridge. “She’s a good kid,
Mags. You’re doing a great job.”
“I hope so. It’s not been easy.”
“Ethan would be so proud of you. I hate that he’s not around to see how sweet and spunky she is—that’s all you. But sometimes
she has this expression that reminds me so much of him.”
“When she discovers something new? I’ve noticed that too. Also that pouty look when she sulks.”
Josh gave a wistful smile. “He did sulk on occasion.”
It used to drive her crazy. But she’d give anything to see that pouty face again.
Neither of them had to mention that the five-year anniversary of his death was just twelve days away. It was no doubt heavy on all their minds. His parents would return in about a week, and they would release Ethan’s ashes on the seventh as planned. “Are your parents looking forward to coming home?”
“I think Dad’s ready. Mom’s having a blast, though. But she’s missing the grandkids pretty bad.”
“We FaceTimed a few days ago. And they’ll get to spend some quality time with Zoey before we head back home.” They’d invited
Zoey and her to stay until Maggie had to return to work.
“I’m glad you’re staying a bit longer. After that I guess we’ll be doing some long-distance dating.” His gaze locked on her.
“Is that too presumptuous of me?”
“I was wondering the same thing. I haven’t dated long-distance since Ethan was in college—and that didn’t go so well if you’ll
recall.” They’d argued a lot during his freshman year. Maggie felt so insecure about his being away at college. So afraid
of losing him. What if he found another girl? What if he forgot about her? She was so sure he’d break up with her.
She didn’t relish the thought of going through that again.
“You guys were kids. I’d like to think we’ve both matured enough to handle any issues that might crop up. We just have to
be honest with each other about what we’re feeling.”
“You’re right.”
“It’s only two hours and we’re both off on Sundays.”
“And Zoey and I could come here some weekends.”
“I’d love that—and so would the rest of the family.”
But would they love the idea of Josh and her together? That remained to be seen. She hated the thought of causing turmoil in the family. They should probably talk about when they’d tell his family. But Maggie was loath to spoil the beautiful day with worries about that.
“Do you think you could ever live in Seabrook again?”
Her attention darted his way even as surprise stole the words from her mouth. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she’d
thought about it this summer. But she hadn’t expected him to address the subject so soon in their relationship.
He gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry. I’m getting ahead of myself.”
She laughed. “Well, we have only been dating one week.”
“Right. No, you’re right.” He glanced back to the playground, a mottled flush climbing his neck. “I didn’t mean to rush you.”
She’d never seen him blush and it was so darn cute. She put a hand over his and waited until she had his attention. “For what
it’s worth, I’m enjoying every minute of it. And I realize your business roots you here. I’m dating you with a full understanding
of that fact.”
“Fair enough.”
On the table her phone buzzed with an incoming call. She glanced down as Derrick’s name flashed on the screen. And now it
was her turn to blush. She rejected the call, but not before Josh noticed the caller’s name. And she could see by his downturned
lips that he recognized the name.
“He’s only called a couple times.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to.”
He offered her a thin smile. “Like you said, we’ve only been dating a week. We haven’t even talked about exclusivity.”
They hadn’t. But the truth was, Maggie wasn’t warming to Derrick, and the thought of Josh going out with another woman—like
that pretty Amanda—pricked her with jealousy. She didn’t want to date anyone else, and she didn’t want Josh to either.
She folded her arms on the table, holding his gaze as silence rolled out between them. “Maybe we should.”
He searched her face for a long moment. “Talk about being exclusive or...?”
The radical thumping of her heart created a tsunami of thoughts. Had she spoken out of turn? Maybe she was the one rushing
things now. But her feelings for him had grown more quickly than she’d ever expected. “How would you feel about that?”
His eyes lit and his brow did that quirky jump just before he broke into a smile. He took her hand. “I’d feel pretty dang
good about it.”
Relief swamped her. “We’re on the same page then.”
“Same paragraph, same sentence.”
“Same word even.”
Her phone buzzed, drawing their attention. Derrick had left a voice mail.
She squeezed Josh’s hand. “I’ll take care of it this week.”