Page 24 of From Maybe to Baby

“She’s gone, passed away two years ago.”

Holy fuck. My God, I’ve really stepped right into it.

“I’m so sorry—” I start to say.

But the kids are focused on a passing ice cream cart, oblivious. But I notice. I notice everything—the way his smile falters slightly, the protective way he reaches for his kids, the shadow that crosses his face before he covers it with another heart-stopping grin.

"Anyway," he continues, "I'm a fan. In fact, a bunch of guys on the team are. That’s how I found out about you. Which makes drowning your laptop even worse."

They read my writing? A bunch of professional hockey players?

Wait till I share this with Ryan.

"So you read my blog?" I ask, even though I heard him loud and clear. I'm stuck on this point, possibly because it's easier than processing how his sad smile did weird things to my chest. "My very specifically child-free, anti-family-vacation blog?"

"Yeah. You’re funny as hell. It's nice to read about a life completely different from your own." He shrugs, and good lord, those shoulders. "Though I have to ask... what brings Minty Fresh Adventures to a family resort?"

"Would you believe a cruel twist of fate and an ironclad contract clause?"

"Daddy. Ice cream." The boy pulls on his father's hand with a single-minded focus.

If only my life were that simple.

"In a minute, Lukas." Jonas doesn't flinch as his son attempts to scale him like Everest. "I'm talking to Miss Minty."

Lukas peers at me with suspicious interest. "The one we splashed? The one who brought her laptop to the pool?”

A pink tinge washes over Jonas’s face, which I find damn endearing, even if he is judge-y about my commitment to my career. He’s not the first.

"The one we're apologizing to, Lukas," Jonas corrects. "Remember what we say about accidents?"

"Say sorry and make it better," both kids respond, clearly practiced.

"We're sorry about your laptop," Lukas offers, though he's still eyeing the ice cream cart. "Even though it was the biggest splash ever and Daddy said?—"

"And that's enough apologies," Jonas cuts in quickly. "Who wants ice cream?"

"ME." Both kids bounce with enough energy to power a small city.

"Miss Minty?" Jonas asks. "Ice cream? It's not a laptop, but it's a start."

I should say no. Should remember that I don't do families or relationships or anything that requires choosing between sprinkles and chocolate chips. And should not ingest the empty calories.

But I am weak. "Only if you tell me what you really said about the splash."

He laughs. "Maybe over coffee tomorrow."

"ICE CREAM NOW," the girl demands, pulling his hand with impressive strength.

"Okay, Jace,” he agrees. "Coffee tomorrow?"

"You still owe me a laptop."

"And dinner," he adds. "Don't forget dinner."

"We haven’t said anything about dinner."

"Yet." He grins. "But I'm optimistic."

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