Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(28)

Why the hell didn’t I?

“Mom! Are you coming?”

I quickly finger-combed the ends of my hair before flipping the visor back up. Then I grabbed my wristlet off the passenger seat and slipped my hand through the strap so it dangled. I exited the car, hand on the door ready to shut it but freezing dead-cold when I locked eyes with Nathan over the roof.

Two things halted me.

First, it became very clear that I’d had an audience while I was clearly making a fuss over how I looked for this.

Everyone was gathered no more than ten feet away, watching me. Waiting. And while it wasn’t something I’d typically mind if this had been an obvious date, this wasn’t an obvious date. It wasn’t anything, really. I wasn’t sure whether I should care how I looked right now or not. I didn’t want Nathan thinking I was seeing this as something it wasn’t. What if he acted weird with me now?

The second thing freezing me up: I was completely unprepared for casual Nathan.

I was used to seeing him in work clothes. Slacks and button-up shirts. The occasional tie. Today he was wearing a worn, light-gray T-shirt and loose black running shorts, sneakers instead of dress shoes, no glasses, and a backward hat.

A backward hat? Are you kidding me? I had a major thing for boys in backward hats. They always drew my eye, especially in college. And now I could very easily picture Nathan in college.

He looked younger. Relaxed. He was smiling right at me, not at all acting weird…

I quickly closed all the doors and stepped up onto the patio.

“Mom, how crazy is this?” Oliver asked. “Did you know Nate was going to be here?”

I shook my head, smiling as I walked over. “Small world, right?”

Nathan grinned. He was holding Marley, who was playing peekaboo with Olivia over his shoulder. Both of the girls were giggling.

“Shorty,” Nathan said when I stopped in front of him. I rolled my eyes at the nickname as he looked all over my face. “Nice freckles.”

Oh God. I scrunched up my nose. “Yeah, right.” I laughed.

“What?”

I rubbed at my cheeks, like that action was actually going to erase them or something. “They’re so noticeable right now.”

“I know. I’m noticing them.” He smiled at me.

I stared back, not smiling and not at all knowing what to say in response. I didn’t want him noticing my freckles, did I? Now I wasn’t so sure.

Olivia moved away, most likely in search of her brother, who’d run around the building when I reached the group, and Marley turned her head and finally spotted me. Immediately, her little arms reached out as her body tipped forward, trying to get closer.

“Jenna!” she squealed.

“Hi, pretty girl. I missed you.” I kissed her smiling cheek as I hugged her, then shifted her weight to the crook of my arm. “Oh my goodness, look at your outfit.” I rubbed the tulle of her dress-up skirt between my fingers. It was light blue and sparkled in the sun. Underneath it, she wore a yellow polka-dot bathing suit. There were streaks of sunscreen on her shoulders and chest. “You look so fancy. Did you dress yourself today?”

“Daddy, no shush,” she said, leaning over to grab at her sandal. She tugged at the strap with a grunt.

“Yeah, that was a battle,” Nathan said. “I thought I was going to have to tape them to her feet.”

I got Marley’s attention on the necklace I was wearing. I knew she liked playing with it.

“Let’s leave those on. You might want to walk around a little.”

Distracted, Marley plucked at the gold chain. It was then I noticed her hot-pink fingers.

“And you painted your nails today. Wow.” I giggled.

The polish coated her nails and most of the skin around them. Drops had dripped onto the underside of her fingers as well.

“Yeah, that was me.”

I looked up at Nathan, laughing when he showed me the splashes of polish on his own hand. “First time?” I asked.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Only a little.”

“This stuff is like tar. I’ve been picking it off for two hours.” He scratched at the side of his hand.

“Hey, we’re up!” Oliver yelled, peering around the side of the building. He waved us over, saying, “Come on, guys. It’s our turn.”

Nathan stepped back and held his arm out for me to go ahead. When I made it over to the window, Oliver ordered his soft-serve chocolate cone with sprinkles and Olivia did the same. They always mimicked each other. I ordered a small vanilla in a cup. Just as I was slipping my wristlet off my hand to pay, Nathan stepped up behind the kids.

“I got it,” he said, pulling out his wallet.

I smiled at him. “Thank you.” That was nice of him to treat us.

He told the young girl working that we were all together and ordered himself a medium chocolate with sprinkles.

“Guys.” I tipped my head at Nathan once I had Oliver’s and Olivia’s attention off their cones.

“Thanks, Nate,” they said in unison.

“Yeah, no problem.” Nathan paid for our order, then tucked his wallet away before grabbing both our cups.

“Are you ready to eat some ice cream?” I asked Marley as I followed behind the twins to the picnic tables in the grass.