The Presence of Grace (Love and Loss Book 2)(13)
“Nice to meet you both.” I reached out for Evie’s hand first, noticing the friendly smile she gave me, which matched Nate’s as he shook my hand as well.
“She’s my teacher,” Jax offered.
“Any friend of Devon’s is a friend of ours,” Evie said.
“Good to meet you,” Nate said. His handshake was friendly and short, accompanied by a smile. He dropped his hand from mine and I watched as he wrapped it around Evie’s waist, the move natural and smooth. I noticed she leaned into him without even thinking about it, her body molding to his without a second thought.
“Come on,” Jax said excitedly. “I want to ride the merry-go-round first. Then the roller coaster around the mountain. Then Dumbo.”
“Woah, buddy,” Devon said, laughing. “We’ll start at the beginning and work our way around, all right?”
I walked along with the group, trying hard not to feel out of place. It was strange being in such a public and busy place with a group of people I really didn’t know. Well, besides Jax. I was right, however, about it being crowded. There were people everywhere and a group of six was hard to keep together. When a cluster of teenagers pushed through our little huddle, separating me from the rest, I immediately began to regret my decision to go. It must have been a group from a school because the cluster of students soon turned into a crowd. I tried to make my way through them, but I’d lost track of Devon and the rest of the group.
Suddenly, a warm hand wrapped around mine and I was being pulled forward. Devon’s face finally appeared and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Stay close,” he said gently, his face just inches from mine.
“Okay,” I said quietly. He let my hand go, of course. We couldn’t walk through Disney World holding hands, but it didn’t change the fact that as soon as my hand was free from his, it felt cold and empty. I wiped my palm on my thigh to try and erase the fact that he’d been there, but it didn’t work. I silently followed the group, more confused than ever.
The lines were stupid long, as I’d expected, but it turned out that Devon, the kids, and Evie and Nate had a FASTPASS that got them to the front of the lines. Lots of other people had them as well, so we didn’t automatically get on, but the lines were drastically shorter. I didn’t have the pass, but that was all right with me, as I didn’t plan on riding anything.
“You go ahead,” I said to Devon as they started toward the merry-go-round. “I’ll watch.”
“You’re not going to ride it?”
I shook my head. “I get motion sickness. I don’t like rides.”
He blinked at me and a confused expression crossed his face. “You don’t like rides, but you came to Disney World? What for?”
I shrugged. “I like Disney. There’s plenty to do aside from the rides.” That was true. I did want to go to Disney. Even if I spent the day watching Jax and Ruby have the time of their lives. But the other reason I came—the reason that scared me and wouldn’t hide under the proverbial rug I kept trying to sweep it under—was simply because he’d asked. Because it meant spending a day with him. Because I feared I’d never be able to tell him no.
He looked back to where the others were moving forward in the line, then back to me.
“Go,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t mind. Promise. I’ll watch. Take some photos even.” He stared at me for just one more moment, but then Ruby called out to him, and he turned back to his children and joined them in line. I sighed and walked back to where I could watch the ride go round and round. A few minutes later the ride slowed and a new batch of riders loaded on. I smiled as Jax sped through the ride, weaving through the horses until he apparently found the perfect one. Ruby casually strolled behind him, picked a horse that seemed to do, and climbed aboard like she was doing it a favor by riding it. Devon chose the horse right beside Jax, which was a few behind Ruby. Nate and Evie picked a bench and cozily cuddled up to each other like no one else existed and the ride was built just for them. A smile pulled at my face, liking the way the two of them seemed to love each other so deeply.
The ride started and Jax bounced up and down on his horse. His eyes looked out to the crowd. I assumed he was searching for me, so when his gaze roamed in my direction I waved. His eyes locked on mine and he gave me an enthusiastic wave. I pulled out my phone and took pictures as everyone sailed past me. After two rotations my decision not to ride was reinforced as I started to feel ill, so I turned away and watched the people walking past me.
Chapter Six
Devon
Catching sight of Grace each time the ride went past her was like a shovel digging something up inside me. Why in the world would she come here just to stand by and watch us? I felt like shit for pressuring her to come now. Damn. I even made her buy her own ticket. I’d wanted her to say yes so badly, but I didn’t think she’d come if it seemed even close to a date, so refusing to buy her ticket was more of a ploy to get her to say yes. Now I just felt like an idiot.
The ride slowed and I looked over at Jaxy again, who was all smiles. I loved seeing my kids smile. Ruby’s smile, when it came around, was sweet and sincere. Someday—in the very far away future—Ruby would smile at a boy and he’d move the world to see her smile again. Jaxy’s smile, however, was just pure joy and exuberance. He was all cheeks and teeth and happiness.