Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Is he calling that guy? Holy shit. What was he going to say?
Oliver ran over to me, asking, “Mom, can we play Putt-Putt? We all want to play. Even Marley.”
“Um, we’ll have to see,” I answered, keeping my eyes on Nathan. I squinted at the back of his head and listened as best as I could, but he was too far away to hear.
“See what?” Oliver questioned.
“I don’t know what their plans are after this.”
“Oh, okay. Let us know when you find out. We’re playing chase.” Oliver hurried away again.
I watched Nathan grip the back of his neck, then pull the phone away from his ear and end the call. He stalked back over to the table, looking more like a pissed-off frat boy now than the playful one I just ate ice cream with.
His face was hard, shoulders drawn back. He appeared larger somehow.
“Here. He shouldn’t contact you anymore, but I would still block his number.” He returned my phone, then sat backward on the bench seat next to me. There was more space between us now.
I secretly hated it.
“Good thinking,” I said.
I pulled up my settings and prevented this loser from sending me anything else. Then I went to my messages and erased our entire conversation.
“God, I can’t believe he did that. What a creep.”
Nathan was pitched forward, elbows resting on his knees as he watched the kids run around the field. He turned his head to look at me after I put my phone away.
“What did you say to him?” I asked.
His shoulders jerked. “I just told him off. Then I made it really fucking clear you weren’t interested. I don’t think he’ll have the balls to send you anything else, but I feel better knowing he can’t.”
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.”