Page 11 of Rubber Duckie Shifter Next Door

It turns out to be a lazy river filled with rubber duckies. We even get adorable duckie-shaped floaties, and Sig helps the kids count duckies as we drift past.

One duckie, two duckie, yellow duckie, blue duckie. Pink duckie, green duckie, king duckie, queen duckie.

We’re happy and relaxed by the time we reach the other end. And we spend the rest of the afternoon on rides, including the Quack Attack, which is everything I knew it would be.

Our final stop is the Quackie Drop—a pool you can drop into from swing ropes, diving platforms set at various heights, and even a few inflatable duck-shaped trampolines.

Sig takes my hand. “Let’s sit this one out.”

Reaper goes to supervise the kids, along with a few employees.

Sig leads me toward a grouping of giant rubber duckies facing the pool. He settles astride a yellow duckie that’s got a lion’s mane and an extra-large bill, while I sit down next to him astride a purple alien duckie. It’s a lot more fun than sitting on a bench—and it keeps me at a safe distance from the temptation of the man next to me.

I never thought I’d be into yellow board shorts, but they’re hands down the hottest thing I’ve ever seen on a man. My gaze keeps drifting down to his six-pack abs and the tempting trail that dips into his waistband.

I lick my lips before I realize what I’m doing, and quickly look away.

We watch the kids in silence for some time. They cannonball into the pool, splash around, and act nothing like they had in the back yard this morning.

I owe it all to Sig.

“Thank you,” I tell him softly.

“For what?” He sounds genuinely surprised.

“For this. For helping with the kids. For bringing us here.”

“I think I needed this just as much as you all did,” he says, surprising me. “I’ve worked so hard to build this place. I’ve taken jobs at dozens of water parks, went to business school, got investors…” He shakes his head. “I’ve been heading toward this moment all my life, but until today, it hasn’t felt real.” He shrugs. “It still doesn’t feel real.”

I tighten my thighs around the purple duckie, hold on to its ear for purchase, and lean toward him.

“What are you doing?” he asks, then lets out a yelp when I pinch his biceps. His deliciously muscular, warm, tempting biceps.

“It’s real.”

“I’m not sure if I should thank you or pinch you back.”

“Definitely thank me,” I say, prepared to jump off my duckie and run.

He smiles. “Thank you.”

I can’t help feeling a little disappointed.

The fact that I’d rather start a pinch war with the man next to me than have a grown-up conversation just emphasizes how unfit I am to be a guardian for Janey’s kids.

I touch Janey’s ring with a resigned sigh. “I make a terrible adult.”

Chapter 6

Rachel

Sig gives me a sensual once-over. “I think you make a really great adult.”

I snort and try to ignore the way my body heats in response. “Not what I meant.”

“Okay, then humor me.”

I gesture at the kids, who are laughing as they splash around in the pool. “I bet if I tried to join them, they’d start crying again.”