Page 54 of From Maybe to Baby

Still not talking about the three-day rule?

Ryan:

Unless you're writing with your hips, I need words

Mom:

Those photos are getting quite the circulation

Ryan:

Is this research or romance?

Mom:

Both, if you're doing it right

Ryan:

Your next piece better be Pulitzer worthy

Mom:

Or at least worth breaking rules for

"Miss Minty." Jace tugs my hand. "Keep dancing.”

Of course. Because what else would I be doing during a week that’s already hijacked my sanity?

I continue with my amateurish demonstration and Jace attempts to follow, her brow furrowed in concentration. I dodge her flailing little arms as she performs her version of the hula.

Then, I spot my notebook, open on my lounge chair where I left it.

The resort offers…

Offers what? Awkward mornings with overenthusiastic kids? A reminder that I don’t belong in places like this? Proof that family-friendly chaos is best admired from a distance?

And as if on queue, Jonas catches my eye. I quickly look away.

The resort offers... more than enough material for a blog.

He catches my eye again. This time neither of us looks away.

The resort offers opportunities… to see things differently than you ever have before.

The dinner clearsout family by family, drifting away with their shell necklaces and sugar-crashed children. I watch Jonas gather his kids’ things—a discarded flower crown and an attempt at a volcanic rock collection.

"They didn't even make it through dessert," he says, looking at his conked-out kids.

"Your hula dancers crashed, huh?"

"Three performances of their 'special dance' might have been pushing it. Though you have to admire their commitment to the encore."

I smile, remembering their hilarious interpretation of Hawaiian dance, which involved a lot more jumping and sound effects than the more traditional performance. "I thought the part where Lukas added hockey moves was creative."

"He does like to stay on brand." Jonas adjusts Jace's lei, careful not to wake her. His hands are so gentle, and I definitely haven't spent all evening watching them, wondering what they'd feel like in my hair.

Definitely not.

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