Page 96 of Designs on You

“I did, in fact. Thank you.” She leaned over to kiss him. “I’ll be right back.”

She hurried off and came back a short time later wearing the new shirt, her original shirt in her hand. “What do you think?” she asked, standing in front of him.

He sighed. The colors showed off her skin and hair and brought out the bright green in her eyes. “I think you’re beautiful. Like always.”

She slid into her seat and pressed her arm against his. “Now I’m game ready.”

“Almost.”

She frowned. “Almost?”

He signaled for the vendor selling beers, then shortly thereafterhe dashed up to the concessions to grab them a couple of hot dogs. He handed one to Natalie and she grinned, holding the beer in one hand and the hot dog in the other.

“Dream come true, right here,” she said.

“Hang on.” He pulled out his phone and snapped a pic, then showed her the photo.

She laughed. “Perfect. Though, maybe…” She took his phone, leaned against him, and took a selfie of the two of them.

He looked at the picture, suddenly struck by how…perfect they looked together.

He waited for some warning signals to ping in his head at that thought.

But nothing came. So, instead, he sat back, ate, and drank, so ready for the game to start.

• • •

Natalie had the best time. Not only had Miami won with a walk-off home run, but she’d had two hot dogs, two beers, and now had a new T-shirt of her favorite team, thanks to Eugene.

After the game, it took a while to get a car and then fight through traffic, but Natalie was hyped up after the exciting finish to the game, so none of the waiting bothered her.

“Feel like hitting the beach when we get back?” Eugene asked.

Knowing they were heading home tomorrow morning, she wanted to maximize fun in the sun as much as they could. “I’d love that.”

When they got back, they changed into their beach clothes, and Natalie wound her hair up into a ponytail, applied sunscreen,then put on her sun hat and sundress and slipped into her sandals. She came out to find Eugene in a sleeveless tee and board shorts, showing off all his delicious arm muscles.

She had to admit that having him all to herself these past few days was not a hardship. Then again, this was just fun and play. A dreamland that was nothing like her reality. A reality she was shortly going back to.

So just enjoy it.

Right.

They headed down to the pool and grabbed a cabana. Natalie grabbed her book and got comfortable on her chaise while Eugene decided to do a few laps in the pool. When a server came by, she ordered drinks for both of them.

Her phone buzzed, and she saw Sean’s name and a FaceTime call.

This couldn’t be good. Her stomach tightened, and she hoped nothing was wrong with the kids.

“Hi, Sean,” she said.

“Hey.” He was smiling, which was odd. “Nothing’s going on so don’t panic. Christopher misses his mom and wants to talk to you. So does Cammie.”

Relief filled her. “Oh. Of course. Thanks!”

Within a few seconds, there was Christopher’s sweet, chubby face. “Hi, Momma.”

“Hey, sweet boy. What are you doing?”

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