Page 88 of Witch Please

“What?” Titus whispered.

“I feel like I’m being driven on a junior high field trip.”

He grinned. “Don’t tell anyone that we’re holding hands.”

His long fingers curled around hers, pulling her hand onto his thigh. With a happy sigh, Danica leaned into him. Now that she wasn’t constantly living in a state of panic, it felt good to enjoy being with him. Endlessly right, if she was honest with herself.Maybe my mom nailed it when she said that I just needed to let love in. I really need to talk to her.

Danica didn’t pay much attention to the conversation in the car, partly because she couldn’t hear all of it with the elders blasting ABBA. That was probably more Greg than Susan, though his wife didn’t seem to mind, and, hell, Danica had enjoyed the film version ofMamma Mia!as a teen. She was familiar with most of the songs and could sing along to “Waterloo.” Soon, everyone was, even Lucy, though she would’ve been a toddler at the time.

The impromptu sing-along kept any tension from cropping up until Greg pulled into a huge parking lot, an entertainment center in the middle of the desert. Honestly, the complex was impressive, the sandy hue standing out against the red of the mesa rocks. As they drew closer, she saw that it was an aquarium, the perfect indoor activity.

“This is fantastic,” she whispered.

“It won’t be as good as Shedd,” Titus predicted, “but at least we’re not hiking in this heat.” He waited for everyone else to climb out, then he gestured for Danica to precede him.

She crab-walked out of the back and came out of the minivan butt first. Maya steadied Danica as she got her footing in the parking lot. Though it wasn’t even noon, she could already feel tightness in her lungs. Late afternoon would be miserable.

“So? What does everyone think?” Susan pressed her hands together, and Danica wondered if she realized it was an unconscious gesture that revealed how much she cared about receiving a favorable review.

“It’s awesome,” Lucy said.

“Really? I’m so happy.” Mom and daughter hugged, and it was obvious to Danica that things had been messy between them for a while. “I wanted us to have fun together for once, without fighting. Especially since you’re l-leaving.”

“It’s not like you’ll never see me again,” Lucy said.

Danica felt like maybe she shouldn’t be listening in on this private moment, but if she rushed toward the entrance, that would send the wrong message too. Titus quietly put a hand on her shoulder, telling her wordlessly not to worry about it.

Maybe he’s saying that I’m family now too? Or close enough.

“But you want to go. That wouldn’t be true if you were happy.”

Lucy sighed. “I don’t want to do this in a parking lot, but…here’s the thing. I need some space. Toletyou be happy. If I stay, I’ll feel jealous of the new baby, and we’ll get on each other’s nerves. This way, the distance will give us the time to…adapt. Does that make sense? You deserve a fresh start, Mom, but so do I.”

To Danica, that sounded surprisingly mature. It didn’t seem like Lucy would give Titus and Maya a hard time.

Susan sniffed and wiped her eyes. Then her husband stepped in, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We’ve been over this, babe. It makes perfect sense. Now let’s stick to the plan and have a good time. I made reservations like you wanted for a nice lunch later. Now give me a smile, crying will upset baby Aubrey.” He rubbed her belly once.

Frankly, none of that made Danica like Greg better, but Susan cheered up at once. “You’re right. Family fun awaits!”

***

Surprisingly, it was an awesome day.

As predicted, the aquarium wasn’t as nice as Shedd, but Titus enjoyed the visit. There were penguins and butterflies and a cool feature in the ladies’ room, where they could look at sharks while washing their hands. That he didn’t experience personally, but Maya, Lucy, and Danica told him all about it.

“I’ve never been anywhere that the bathroom was a recommended stop,” Danica said, laughing.

Titus didn’t kid himself. Sharing the experience with her made all the difference. She held his hand while they walked through the exhibits, soaking in the tranquility of the exotic marine life swimming or floating in their tanks. They paused often so Susan didn’t get overtired, and it was…nice. No drama, just the sense of what things could be like in time. He liked sitting on the bench with Danica, holding her hand.

That’s kind of our thing.

They ate lunch at Olive and Ivy. Hummus, of course, bruschetta, various flatbreads, and salad to share. Until today, he would’ve bet that his dad had no freaking clue what couscous was. But here the man was, saying, “You’re right, the couscous is fantastic.”

The food was great, but his dad was a steakhouse guy, and he wouldn’t have chosen Mediterranean without a nudge. Sometimes it was hard for Titus to see the old man changing, as he’d refused to do for Titus’s mom. As if she sensed Titus’s ambivalence, Danica lifted a piece of white truffle and prosciutto flatbread to his mouth. He nibbled the food from her hand, and her kindness eased some of the sting.Bear with it. He loved Mom too. Believe that.

By the time they got home, it was late afternoon, time to help Lucy with the packing if she needed it. Susan had to work in the morning, so she’d be saying goodbye then. Dad was retired, though he did some day-trading. And wonder of wonders, he’d volunteered to drive them to the airport. Titus didn’t like thinking of people as lucky charms, but really, everything about his life got better when Danica was around. The family had been on their best behavior the entire time, likely not wanting her to think badly of them.

He made Susan happy by asking to watchEurovisionagain. It seemed to please her that he’d enjoyed it enough to want to share it with Danica, who laughed her ass off in all the same spots. It was just as fun the second time too.

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