Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(31)

I smiled, liking how he cared about this. He didn’t have to. “Thank you for doing that.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” Nathan cracked his knuckles and stared out at the kids again. Just as I turned my head to do the same, he asked, “Are you still on that dating app?”

“God, no.” I laughed. “I was striking out big-time on that thing. I’m done with it.”

“You’re done with dating?”

Our gazes locked when I looked over at him again. His dark eyes were serious.

“No, I mean, the app…I erased it.”

Oliver rushed over before anything else could be said about dating apps, dating, Nathan’s views on the subject…Was he even open to dating yet? I had no idea and was robbed of the opportunity to ask. My son was currently hollering in my face.

“Mom!” Oliver panted his breaths and pushed his glasses up his nose when they started sliding down. “Did you ask Nate yet?”

“No, not yet,” I answered, bringing my leg over the bench seat so I was sitting sideways, making it easier to see everyone better. I tugged on the hem of my shorts.

“Ask me what?” Nathan picked Marley up when she ran over.

She stood on his thighs and giggled at Oliver as he leaned out of her grasp.

“We want to play Putt-Putt,” Oliver announced, bobbing and weaving Marley’s hands. “Mom said she wasn’t sure what your plans were after ice cream.”

“It’s also Nathan’s day with Marley, so if he wants to do something with just her, like Putt-Putt, we’re going to go.”

Olivia stood in front of Nathan and pouted as if she’d just heard the worst news of her life. Her braids looked messy now from playing.

“Can’t this be our day, all five of us?” she asked, peering up at him.

“Olivia,” I warned. Wow. Way to lay on the guilt trip.

“Please, Nate!” Oliver begged. “You want to spend time with us too, right?”

“Oliver, you shouldn’t ask someone a question like that. You’re putting them on the spot.” I stood then, slipping my hand through the strap of my wristlet.

“Smart kid,” Nathan said, getting to his feet as well. He shifted Marley to his left arm. Then he ruffled Oliver’s hair and looked between him and his sister, asking, “So, what’s the plan? Are we playing teams or what?”

Olivia’s face lit up. “Yes! I want to be on your team!” she shrieked.

“Me too!” Oliver punched the air. He tugged on his sister’s hand. “Come on, Livvy, let’s go pick our colors.”

They took off in a sprint, crossing the gravel lot after looking both ways for cars. The Putt-Putt course shared parking with the Arctic Circle, so I didn’t mind them running ahead. I could see them even when they reached the small, hutlike building where you paid for your game and received your ball and putter.

Marley reached out for me as the three of us moved away from the table and followed behind the twins. I situated her on my hip.

“Are you sure this is okay?” I asked Nathan. We stepped off the curb together. The gravel popped beneath our feet. “I feel like we’re invading your time with her. I’d hate to do that, Nathan.”

He smirked as he stared ahead. “Jenna, if I didn’t want to hang out with you and your kids, I wouldn’t have called you. Or texted you, which was just my lead-in to call.”

My stomach clenched. I suddenly became hyperaware of every pulsing beat of my heart.

“And if it wasn’t obvious already, we never had plans to come here today. I was lying.” He looked at me then, adding with sincerity in his voice, “I’m sure this is okay.”

I pressed my lips to baby-soft hair, hiding the smile I couldn’t help. Then I playfully narrowed my eyes at him.

“What?”

“Is this really your favorite spot to get ice cream?” I asked.

He looked ahead, mouth twitching.

I never got a response.





Chapter Eight





NATHAN




One Week Later



Wake up, Nathan.”

I opened my eyes and blinked into the darkness of my bedroom. Labored breaths left me, and my heart was pounding. I knew it was early, yet I was already wide awake and restless. I always was when I woke from a dream. From that dream…

Turning my head on the pillow, I reached for my glasses and slipped them on. I stared at the alarm clock on the nightstand until the fluorescent numbers came into focus: 4:27 a.m.

I still had another hour until I’d be forced to get up. I was opening at the restaurant today. I supposed I could go downstairs and work out now instead of waiting, but I found myself stretching for my phone instead. The screen glowed above me as I studied Jenna’s number. My thumb hovered over the icon to call.

I wanted to talk to her. Exercise cleared my head, but my conversations with Jenna stilled that gnawing ache inside me, among other things. I liked talking to her. Even if I didn’t tell her about my last memory of Sadie and the guilt I had over it, I knew I’d feel better simply listening to her voice. I could imagine our dialogue.

She’d ask about Marley, because she always did. She’d wonder if my daughter was awake yet and how her night had gone. Did she go to bed for me okay and It’s easy, isn’t it? Once you’re comfortable with her, she’s comfortable with you. She’d have excitement in her voice. My bond with Marley affected Jenna profoundly. It was pure and selfless and went beyond contentment for us. I wanted to know what exactly it meant to her, but before I could ask, she would wonder about me.