Page 15 of A Place for Daydreams

“Are you sure you still like it here, Julia?”

She turned to her boyfriend in surprise. His expression had grown serious, and she grabbed his hand. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I know you have fun at the pub, but Rosewood Beach is such a big change from New York. I just wondered if sometimes you miss the big city. I’m sure people are more sophisticated there.”

He cocked an eyebrow as he said the last bit, imitating someone fancy, and she laughed.

“Oh, I can assure you, there are just as many characters in New York as there are here in Rosewood Beach,” she told him. “Probably more, actually. And I would never want it any other way. Sometimes people make trouble, but they keep things interesting too. And I love my job. I love fighting for the progress of something I care about, not just numbers on paper. I can literally get my hands dirty at the pub, working hard to make sure it’s doing well. I love that. And I love working with my family.” Her tone took on a tender quality as she added, “And besides,you’renot in New York. I love being here with you.”

His expression softened. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

She kissed him. “There is no place I would rather be.”

Their attention was abruptly drawn to Macey when the little girl let out a squeal of displeasure. One of the other children had probably splashed her with water, and her face was scrunched up as if she was close to tears.

“Uh oh,” Cooper said, standing up. “I guess it’s time for dinner.”

He went back onto the splash pad and scooped Macey up into his arms. The little girl leaned her head against his shoulder in a way that made Julia’s heart melt.

“Are you ready to go home and eat some dinner, Macey?” Cooper asked her, kissing the top of her head.

“Yeah,” Macey said, and yawned.

“I’d be tired too if I just had that much fun.” Julia reached out to smooth an errant lock of the girl’s hair. “Sometimes fun can be exhausting.”

Cooper chuckled, and they turned toward the entrance to the splash pad, ready to get back into his car and head to his house. A few moments later, however, someone called Cooper’s name eagerly.

They turned and saw a family approaching them. The man had a thick black mustache and Julia thought he looked familiar. Next to him was his smiling wife and two kids, both of whom were a few years older than Macey.

“Dave!” Cooper grinned and shook the other man’s hand in a friendly manner. “I haven’t seen you in, gosh, two hours?”

Dave laughed. “Thought you were rid of me for the day, didn’t you?”

Julia chuckled. It was clear that this was one of Cooper’s co-workers, and she enjoyed seeing the friendly camaraderie that the two of them shared.

Cooper grinned. “This is my daughter Macey, and my girlfriend Julia.”

“Macey I’ve met, Julia I think I might have seen around before.” Dave shook Julia’s hand. “This is my wife Stacey and our kids, Harrison and Levi.”

Stacey and Julia smiled at each other and shook hands. The kids looked up at Julia and Cooper a bit warily.

“Are you coming bowling with the rest of the guys tonight?” Dave asked Cooper. “Should be a great time. Tony wants to celebrate his tenth year with Greener Pastures, so he offered to buy everyone pizza.”

“Bowling?” Cooper looked confused.

“Yeah, have you seen the group chat? He just suggested it about an hour ago, but it sounds like almost everyone is in. You should come by. I hear you’re a mean bowler.”

“Oh, I haven’t seen the thread. I haven’t checked my phone in about an hour and a half.”

“Too busy watching that one, huh?” Dave nodded his head toward Macey, who had fallen asleep on Cooper’s shoulder. “She looks like a little wild one.”

Cooper laughed. “She might look like an angel right now, but she is a wild one sometimes.”

“You should go, Cooper.” Julia smiled at him. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”

Cooper glanced hesitantly down at Macey. “I can’t bring Macey with me to a bowling alley, not when she’s so tired like this.”

“Don’t worry about it!” Julia touched his arm. “I’ll take care of her for the evening. I’ll make her dinner and read her stories and tuck her into bed. We’ll have a great time, and you can spend time with the guys.”

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