Page 35 of The Lake House

“You’re going to be in a shitload of trouble when she’s older,” Giuliana says as she looks over the picture I’m showing her of Lily on my phone. We’ve been sipping on some water we purchased at the food truck that was driving by in the park.

We walked around the pond once more, and then after stopping the food truck from passing by, we purchased two bottles of water and sat down at a white painted fence and began talking about anything.

Right now, we were discussing Lily, and I just finished telling Giuliana how she was away for the weekend, having a girls’ fun getaway with Rachel and her bridesmaids.

I nod as I place the phone back in my pocket. “Yeah, I think so, too.”

Giuliana chuckles. “She’s such a pretty little girl. If you don’t already know, you’re going to have your hands full.”

I chuckle back. “I’m a lucky guy.”

It gets quiet again, and I need to say something more so she doesn’t tell me she has to leave just yet. I’m not ready to let her go.

“So, do you have any kids?”

“No,” she responds simply, and without saying anything further, she takes another sip of her water, basically telling me she’s done with this topic of discussion.

Shit, I hope I haven’t offended her.

I’m about to apologize for being an asshole, but she catches me by surprise as she offers more.

“Todd never really wanted children.” She looks straight ahead at the children on the jungle gym, playing with their friends, while their parents keep an eye on them from a safe distance.

I can tell there’s more to her statement than what she said. I push her just a little. “He doesn’t like kids?”

She shrugs and then looks at me with a sad smile. “Declan, I already know you know I’m no longer with Todd. This is a small town, and I know people talk. So, yes, it’s true. I’m divorced, and it hasn’t been super long, but it’s long enough that I just want to move on with my life. That’s the reason I came here as soon as I could.”

“I understand,” I reply as she pours her words into me. I didn’t expect her to open up like this, but I’m really glad she is.

But now, she’s getting teary-eyed; her eyes welling up with tears. “But getting back to your question, I’m not really sure if Todd liked kids or not. I just know I always wanted them more than he did.”

Fuck, I need to change the conversation. She looks so sad right now and it’s breaking my heart. “Shit, I’m sorry, Giules. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Placing a gentle hand on my left arm, she says, “No, it’s okay. You didn’t. It’s just talking about this, remembering what I’ve been through with Todd… it just all makes me sad. It really wasn’t easy.”

“I can imagine.” I run a hand through my hair. I know what it’s like to lose someone you care a lot about, but I’m not sure if I can understand how she feels completely. She was with Todd for a hell of a lot longer than I was with Claire. Maybe her hurt differs from mine.

She sucks in a breath and runs her hands over the top portion of her thighs and then smacks them twice before rising.

Shit, she’s about to leave, and I still haven’t asked her out yet.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting the conversation to sway in the direction it had. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to her about Todd and any bad memories that might stir up for her.

But I can’t let her get away now. I need to find a way to ask her out before she walks off and even now that the mood is off. But how?

She speaks before I can get a word in. “Look, Dec. I’m not trying to dwell on my past or anything that may have happened. That’s why I came here in the first place. Anyway, I’m not feeling as terrible about things as I was in the beginning. Still, I wish I hadn’t been through what I had, but I like to think there’s a reason for it.”

Yes, a reason in the stars. Maybe she’s meant to be with me, after all.

I shake my head. “Of course, there is, Giules, and I just know you will find it as soon as it comes around.”

Or in this case, as soon as it’s staring you in the face, gorgeous.

She giggles and I’m thankful that the mood is right once again. “I’m just ready to move on with my life and possibly be happy once more.”

Is this my cue to ask her out? Hell, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was waiting for me to ask her out.

Damn, I’d love to be the one that makes her happy. I’ve got to ask her now.

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