“I do.” Kay nodded, feeling like she might cry. Get a hold of yourself.
“Well I understand my Jimmy has been helping you around the house. It’s good to have a man around to help with that stuff. I’ve missed that since my husband passed, God rest his soul.”
Kay almost laughed as she thought of Rosalie. “He’s been a really big help.”
“That’s good. You’ll need to get the place in really good shape if you want to sell it. My friend Rhonda is a realtor and she said people are asking her every day when that house is going on the market. You’ll sell it in a heartbeat when you’re ready. You know Rhonda, right?”
Kay nodded. “She’s called me a few times.” She glanced at James and noticed his jaw clenching. Are his nostrils flared?
“So, Ma. You want this watermelon cut up or what?”
She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “Oh, yeah. I forgot what I was doing. I was going to slice that into triangles and put it on this platter.” She moved a huge rectangular tray closer to James.
“Can I help with something?” Kay asked.
“Certainly. I’ve still got to make a fruit salad too. How do you feel about balling a cantaloupe?”
James visibly cringed, his cheeks flushing, which made him look positively irresistible.
“Sure, I think I can manage that.”
“Good.” She handed Kay a bowl and went to work slicing cantaloupes in half.
Kay scooped the orange flesh into neat spheres while Mrs. Margolis rambled on with gossip about what seemed like every family in town. Someone was either pregnant, getting married, getting a divorce, having an affair, getting a promotion or getting fired in every single household.
“I can’t believe how many people you know,” Kay said.
“You live here all your life you know everybody.”
James lifted the tray of sliced watermelon. “And my mother knows everybody.”
“You shush.” She frowned at him, but it was easy to see the love in her eyes.
“I’m gonna go put this on the table outside. You ladies need me to carry anything else?”
“No, we’ll be out as soon as we finish up with the fruit.” She dumped a bunch of blueberries into a colander and rinsed them in the sink.
James threw Kay an encouraging smile as he headed out the door.
“It must be very different for you, living here. Not like the city.”
“Not at all. I’ve lived in buildings for a few years and barely known any of my neighbors. Plus the city tends to be so transient. People move. New apartments. New jobs. Different boroughs. It’s nothing like it is here.”
Mrs. M nodded, slicing strawberries. “The city is nice when you’re young, I suppose. Both my boys tried it. But when you settle down, have kids, you want a neighborhood. Plus I’m a great babysitter.”
Kay realized she was holding her breath. Is she thinking James and I are going to have kids? The thought sent her stomach spinning. Kids? She’d thought about them, in theory, assuming she’d probably have some one day, but there’d never been anyone she’d really been able to see herself settling down with. Until now. She looked down and noticed she’d nearly scooped her way clear through the rind of the cantaloupe. Her brain scrambled. “You’ve got two grandchildren, right?”
“Yes, Dave’s two angels.”
“Cindy’s adorable. I haven’t met Ethan yet, I don’t think. There were so many kids trying to get James’s attention. He talks about Cindy and Ethan all the time.”
“I’ll bet. He loves those kids like they were his own. Look at him.” She pointed out the window above the sink. James was in the yard, both kids climbing all over him while he tickled them. Peals of laughter echoed into the house through the open window. “He’s a natural. Always been great with kids. They love him.”
What’s not to love? Kay felt her skin prickle with heat. I love him too. Oh my God. I do. Visions flashed through her head. A wedding. Children. A lifetime. Her heart beat so irregularly she thought she might pass out. What the hell was that? Her mind sputtered. I could marry him.
“Looks like the salad’s done. Could you grab that big spoon, honey? Let’s go join the party.”
Kay pulled the spoon out of the overflowing jar of kitchen utensils and followed Mrs. Margolis out the screen door. This could be my family. She’d never felt so excited or so terrified in her life.
Chapter Seventeen
James helped Dave lug the grill back onto the covered porch.
Dave handed him the grill cover while he shoved the half empty bag of charcoal into the storage bin. “You and Kay seem pretty chummy. You getting serious?”
James felt a smile tug at his lips. “I don’t know.”
“That’s a yes.”
“Maybe.” The evening had gone better than he’d hoped, aside from a few awkward moments when he wished his relatives knew when to shut up. Kay seemed to get along with everyone, and it looked as if she actually had a good time.
“I’m glad. I like her.”
There was no tone of teasing in his voice. James was surprised but pleased. “You and me both.” James stretched, pulling on his shoulder. “Hey, where is she anyway?”
Dave nodded toward the yard. “Over there, on the swing. She’s been there the last half hour.”
James squinted in the darkness as he headed toward the wooden bench swing. Kay was using her foot to rock slowly, the rhythm mesmerizing as he approached her. It wasn’t until he got within a few feet of her that he noticed she wasn’t alone. Cindy was curled beside her, cuddled onto Kay’s lap. Kay was slowly winding one of Cindy’s dark curls around her finger, humming softly. His gut twisted. That could be our kid some day. The thought came out of nowhere but felt as natural as breathing. Jesus. She could be my wife. He swallowed hard. “Hey,” he said, keeping his voice quiet, “I was wondering where you were.”
Kay smiled. “She fell asleep. She was so peaceful I didn’t want to disturb her.”
James crouched beside them. “Was she talking your ear off before she went out?”
“Yes. Talks a blue streak. Mostly about her Uncle James.”
“Really?”
“She’s quite taken with you. Seems to think you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread.”
James grinned. “She’s very smart for her age.”
Kay laughed, the soft sound encompassing him. “Charming too. Guess that’s a strong gene in your family.”
“For those who get it, yes. It skipped right over Dave.”
She snorted. “Stop. You’re going to make me wake her.”
“Here, let me carry her inside, then we can get going.”
He scooped Cindy into his arms. Her warm head nestled against his neck as he carried her up the porch stairs. Kay followed him into Cindy’s sparkly pink bedroom. He lowered her to the bed. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “I’m not tired,” she said, back asleep the second she rolled over.
Kay giggled and James took her hand. Her fingers linked with his, interlocking perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle. “What do you say we say our goodnights and go for a walk on the beach?”
“I say let’s go.”
Judy was washing dishes at the kitchen sink while his mother loaded the last of the platters of food into the refrigerator. “You two need any help before we leave?”
“No,” Judy said. “We’re about done. I’ll make your brother do the rest when he wakes up from his nap.”
“What nap?” James asked.
Judy nodded toward the living room. Sure enough, Dave was sprawled on the couch with Ethan stretched out alongside him, SpongeBob blaring on the TV.
“You two go. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Kay, I’m so glad you could make it.” It was nice for James to see his mother making Kay feel so welcome. She hugged her and Kay hugged back, looking a hundred times more comfortable than she had when they arrived hours earlier.
“Oh,” Judy said, “your cake platter. There’s still a piece left.”
>
“Don’t worry about it,” Kay said. “Keep it for the kids. I can get my plate another time.”
“I didn’t realize you were staying in town. I thought you’d be heading off to more glamorous locales.” Her snotty tone set James’s nerves on edge. Don’t start, Judy. He willed her to stop talking.
“No, I’ll be around for a while.” Kay smiled, but he could tell she’d picked up on the tension.
“Let me know if you need Rhonda’s phone number about the house,” his mother said.
James glared at her. Thanks, Ma. I’m trying to get her to stay in town. He felt the need to get Kay away from both of them.
Kay nodded and James took her hand again. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. They strolled out to his truck, and he opened the door for her, catching her in his arms before she climbed inside. He wrapped his hand around her waist, feeling the gentle curve of her. “Did you have an okay time?”
“Better than okay. It was fun. Thanks for bringing me.”
“Thanks for coming.” He pulled her closer, his lips finding hers, their sweet taste making him forget he was in his brother’s driveway with his mother likely watching from the window. All he could think about was Kay.
The beach was quiet and deserted. The calm surf rolled in gentle pulses against the sparkling sand. It was nearly a full moon. Wispy clouds drifted past the glowing white orb.
A soft, warm breeze rustled through the tall grass as they walked along the sand. James kept his arm around Kay’s waist, his fingers massaging her hip, sending tingles up and down her spine.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She debated before answering, not sure she wanted to discuss it.
“Did you not really have fun?” His fingers continued to dance across her back.
“I did. Everyone was great. I just got the feeling Judy didn’t really like me.”
James let out a deep breath. “Judy has her own agenda.”
Kay slowed and turned toward him. “What do you mean?”
“She’s having a hard time accepting that I broke up with my ex.”
“Oh.” Kay’s stomach sank to the ground.
“Judy and Patricia went to college together, they’re old friends. Actually, that’s how I met her.”
“Did she set you up?”
“Yep. Dave freaked out. He couldn’t stand Patricia. Didn’t even like having her around when she’d hang out with Judy.”
“Why?”
James gave a small laugh. “Let’s just say Dave and Patricia don’t agree on much and they’re both bossy and stubborn as hell.”
“But Judy likes her.” And you must have too.
“They were roommates for three years. Judy wanted us to get married and all be one big happy family so she’s still hoping we’ll get back together.”
Kay nodded.
“Which won’t happen.” James ran his hand along Kay’s hair, tilting her head.
Her heart drummed as she looked into his eyes. She didn’t know that much about his ex, but she did know they’d been very serious. What if he’s not completely over her? How much weight does her friendship with Judy carry?
“Listen. Judy wants me with Patricia. That’s her issue. She doesn’t get a vote. What I want is to be with you.” His thumb caressed her cheek and she felt herself melting under his touch.
“But if—”
He silenced her with a kiss so sweet and tender she forgot what she was thinking. She nearly forgot to keep breathing. Sweet Jesus.
“Don’t worry about my sister-in-law, okay? I don’t. She’ll get over it. And when she gets to know you, she’ll love you.”
Kay focused on the feel of James’s hand, warm and reassuring. “Okay. Hey, by the way, what’s in the bag?”
He lifted the beach bag, a sly smile spreading across his face. “Just a few essentials.”
“What are you up to?”
He chuckled. “I’m not up to anything. I’m just prepared.”
“Okay, boy scout. Prepared for what?”
“Anything.” He kissed her, his tongue warm and velvety.
“You’re pretty cocky,” she said.
“Mmm.” His mouth was back on hers, his hips angling toward her, proving her point. “How about we settle in here?” He gave her another quick peck, his hand giving a sensual pass across the sensitive skin of her neck. She wanted his hands to stay on her. All over her. She shivered. “You cold?” he asked.
She shook her head, watching as he pulled a blanket out of the bag and shook it. It tented for a second in the breeze then settled across the sand.
“Have a seat.”
She knelt then curled onto her side as he took a seat beside her, still rummaging in the bag. “We’ve got chocolate.” He handed her a box from the handmade candy shop near his restaurant. “And cocktails.” He withdrew a tall metal shaker and two plastic glasses. The sound of ice cubes jiggling startled her as he gave the cylinder several quick shakes.
“How did you manage to keep ice in there?”
He grinned, looking ridiculously handsome. “Dave’s freezer.”
“You think of everything.”
He handed her a glass, then dispensed the fruity drink. “Cheers.” He tucked the shaker back into the bag then clinked his glass against hers.
The ice cold liquid filled her mouth, sweet and tangy. Absolutely perfect. “This is really good. It tastes so familiar. What is it?”
His grin became impossibly wider, his eyes twinkling in the moonlight. “Sex on the beach.”
She snorted, nearly spitting out a mouthful. “So cocky.”
“That’s why you like me.”
That’s why I love you. Her heart fluttered unsteadily. She took another sip, trying to stop her thoughts from zipping around, completely out of control. James slid his hand along her thigh, his thumb grazing higher up with each pass, making it impossible for her to think at all.
He nestled his glass in the sand then eased hers from her fingers, working it into the ground next to his. His fingers felt cool against her overheated skin. He brushed her hair off her shoulder, his lips gliding over her neck, leaving a heated trail in their wake.
She couldn’t help remembering all the nights she’d come down to the beach with her friends as a teen. She’d watched people sneaking off into the dunes to make out. A few times she’d even been the one sneaking away with a guy for some quiet time on the darkened beach. But she’d always wished she was there with James.
He eased her down onto the plush blanket, his long body stretched out next to hers. She went willingly, feeling like she was living out a delicious dream, not wanting to wake up. The sound of the ocean seemed to match the rhythm between them as they moved together.
She slid her lips across his cheek, her nose grazing his soft eyelashes. “I’ve never made love on the beach before.”
“I think that’s about to change.”
Chapter Eighteen
The evening with James’s family left Kay feeling pretty confident about her child-care skills. She’d served cake and dirt cups to a dozen kids, played jacks with a group of six and had Cindy fall asleep on her lap. When she found out James was babysitting Cindy and Ethan for the weekend, she thought it sounded like fun.
She arrived at his apartment on Saturday morning, just in time to see James doling out pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse heads.
“Mouse cake or regular round?” he asked, kissing her hello.
“Mouse, please.”
Cindy grinned at her as she spread jam on her pancake.
“You don’t like syrup?” Kay asked.
Cindy shook her head, her black curls bobbing back and forth. “Syrup is yucky.”
Ethan doused his pancakes with at least a cup of syrup before James plucked the container from his hands. “Syrup rules. You’re stupid,” Ethan said.
James placed the jug out of reach on the counter. “Your sister’s not stupid. Everyone likes different things and that’s fine. It would
be pretty boring if we were all the same.”
“She’s still stupid.” Ethan grinned when Cindy kicked his chair.
“Okay, enough.” James stepped between them and scooted Ethan’s chair out of Cindy’s reach. “How about if you make Kay think you know how to behave?”
“Sorry, Uncle James.”
James placed a plate of pancakes in front of Kay. “Can I trust you with the syrup?”
Kay smiled. “I’ll be good, I promise.” She put the jug back on the counter when she finished, not wanting to let Ethan get hold of it again.
The rest of the morning went smoothly. They rode bikes, James on a tandem with Cindy pedaling adorably attached behind him. Ethan was a speed demon, but seemed to have a healthy fear of traffic and always stopped the second James issued a word of caution. Kay stayed pretty quiet, in awe of how James was with the two of them. Nothing seemed to rattle him. Even when Cindy scraped her elbow on the gate when they were coming back to the apartment he remained totally calm. The sobbing had completely set Kay on edge but James kissed away her tears, whisked her inside and had her bandaged and laughing in no time.
“How did you get to be so good with them?” Kay asked, as she helped James make sandwiches for lunch. The kids were in his living room, sprawled on the couch, watching cartoons.
“They’re not so bad once you get to know them. They’re just little people. You have to learn their quirks.”
That made sense. Kay had learned the quirks of everyone she’d ever lived or worked with. How different could it be with kids?
“They really like you, you know,” James said, cutting the crusts off one of the sandwiches.
“How do you know?” Kay spread mayonnaise on another piece of bread.
“They seem comfortable. Usually around new people they’re very out of sorts. They’re acting like they’ve known you forever.”
“That’s good, I guess.” Kay wasn’t entirely sure what was normal for kids their age. She hadn’t been around any since she was one herself.
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