Page 26 of Little Boy Toy

“You ask hard questions for a youngster.” His hand left mine and he softly tickled my chin, then put his hand back on the steering wheel.

“That came out weird.”

“I can say that trying everything twice was more about actions, not people. Like bedroom kinks. I can try twice with the same person.”

I ducked my head, chagrined. Then looked up at him through my eyelashes. “I got personal real fast. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Kendry. We’re on the same page. We both want to know each other on deeper levels. You can ask me anything any time, okay?”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

My heart warmed. “I think I am comfortable with that.”

“You think?”

I nodded vigorously. “I know I am. I wasn’t sure about what was okay until I asked.”

“Ah, are you looking out for my feelings?”

I nodded again.

“That’s sweet and I like it very much.”

I could barely breathe. He was flirting with me with words and those deeper thoughts of his. It figured since he liked books, like me, he would be a deep thinker.

Just then, we pulled up to the beach parking lot. This was a beach I’d been to before. But not for years. The parking lot was only half full, which was wonderful. Zale was right to think it would be less crowded on a weekday in May even though it was a warm day.

I got out and immediately the hot sunlight flamed around me. The blue waves rushing with their lace foam against the white sands looked all too inviting. A few people were about, and some groups had towels and chairs on the sand with big umbrellas set up.

Zale went straight to the trunk and opened it. I came around to see what he had. My mouth dropped open. Inside the trunk was a big picnic basket. On top was a stack of blankets and towels. Beside that were the real treasures: a net bag of plastic buckets, little shovels and sandcastle molds. There were also small plastic bags holding blowup toys: a beach ball, a couple of pink and green inner tubes, and a blue raft.

I clapped my hands and jumped up and down. “You thought of everything.”

“I tried.” Zale leaned in. “It’ll probably take us two trips.”

I held out my hands. “Load me up.”

Zale pushed the towels and blankets aside, opening the basket. “First things first.” He reached in and brought out a soft-brimmed hat and plunked it on my head.

I reached up and touched the soft material. “Why did you give me this?”

“I saw it and thought you’d like it.”

“I do. But how did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That it’s so perfect. That it’s something I’d pick out for myself.”

“I’m glad to hear I got it right.”

“Very right for someone like you.”

“Someone like me?”

“Not a daddy.”

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