Page 82 of Suddenly Entwined

“Obviously, we need more serious equipment for a day at the beach.”

She places her small hands on the waistband of my shorts and pulls me close so our hips touch.

“That was really sweet, Berg.”

“I’m a sweet guy,” I say.

Caro’s lips taste salty as I bend and take her mouth in a kiss. Wind whips my cheeks as I secure some stray curls and suck her bottom lip lightly.

This day is perfect, and I’m so glad I took the day off to join them. Usually the girls would be in day camps during school breaks, and I’d not see them until the end of the day. We wander back to our beach blanket, stepping over clumps of vivid green seaweed and rocks covered in jagged barnacles.

She pauses at the edge of the blanket and I turn her, slipping my arms around her waist. Her soft, warm body fits perfectly against mine.

“Guess what I did this morning?” she asks.

I kiss her forehead. “Tell me.”

“I applied for school.”

“What!?” I lift her until her feet are off the sand, spinning her around until she screams.

“When do you know? When can you choose courses?”

She laughs. “I only did it today! I have no answers for you. I won’t have many options for classes, though. I basically know what I need to do.”

“I’m really damn proud of you, you know?”

She beams at me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

“Thank you for never pushing me. You let me make up my mind, and that’s what I needed.”

“How will we ever survive without you?”

I’m joking, but only partly. I’m overjoyed for Carolina, but there’s a small slice of me that’s wondering what this will mean for her and I.

“Find a new one, I guess.” She sticks her tongue out at me to let me know she’s teasing.

I don’t want another nanny.

“I hate the idea of that.”

“Me too. More than you know. The thought of sitting in an early morning class instead of braiding Louisa’s hair or doing a three-hour evening lecture and missing family supper?”

She swipes a tear away with her sleeve.

“Two semesters will fly by. Seriously. Is everything sorted out financially? Can I…can I help?”

Looking up the current tuition fees for colleges with Caro was a sobering reminder that I have two quickly growing daughters. The same question was on the tip of my tongue when she first told me about the asshole who screwed her over. Caro is generous and kind and she got burned because of it.

“No.” She presses her palms against my chest, letting her fingers roam across my body. “It’s important to me I figure this out. Let me keep working throughout the summer and maybe I can manage to pay for the first semester. Remember, I’m not even accepted yet.”

“You will be.”

I hate that she’s struggling with this. I’m not made of money since our family operates on a single income, but I’m doing well for myself. I’ve made smart choices, bought my house at the right time, and I’d happily part with a few thousand dollars if it meant Caro could finish her education. Regardless of the status of our relationship, I want that for her.

“You’ll probably have to force me back, Berg. Bundle me up and drop me on the university’s doorstep.” My laugh is watery. “That’s how hard it will be to leave you guys. I don’t know if it’s normal to feel so strongly about the kids you nanny for, but I love them.”

A wail turns my head, and we both look to see Lou limping down the sand toward us.

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