Page 84 of Parentmoon

I shake my head and reach for my wineglass, finishing the last sip in hopes of washing away any ridiculous thoughts, like that Keli might be right.

After dinner, the sky is dark, and we all walk in the direction of the smaller pool closest to Dallas’s place.

He pauses beside the pool. “I’ll give you until eleven-thirty. Then it’s separate-ville.” The authority in his voice is like the father of a teen, not a grown woman.

“Why don’t you two take a seat back there?” He points toward a set of rattan loungers at the far end of the rectangular pool. “Jo and I will sit up here.”

Michael takes Keli’s hand and leads her to the other end of the pool while Dallas takes a seat, straddling a lounger and patting the space before him.

“Are you certain you don’t want your house for the night?”

“Nah. Keli and I will be good. The condo is a two-bedroom that doesn’t have a guest for the night.” Dallas reaches for my hip and guides me between his spread thighs, folding me down to sit before him. Once I do, he lifts his legs, tucking them on either side of mine which are stretched before me. I lean back on his chest, and he wraps his arms around me. My fingers play with the silver set of beads he wears on his wrist which matches the set of beaded bracelets on mine.

“You’re being rather traditional this evening.”

Dallas chuckles, jostling me against his chest. “Feel like a dad setting limitations on a date. Giving them a curfew and telling them where to sit, like I’ll have my eyes on them.”

“They’re behind us, though.”

“I don’t want to watch them. I’d rather look at the moon and spend time with my own pretty girl in my arms.”

“Such a charmer.”

“It’s true, though. I like having you in my arms, Jo.” The use of my name adds sincerity to his comment.

“I like being in your arms.” I rub a hand over his forearm, which is exposed as he’s wearing another form-fitting tee. His legs are covered in his light-weight linen pants, but I can still feel the strength of them through the material.

Dallas shifts, pressing me forward a second to retrieve something in his pocket. Then he’s pulling me back into place against his chest. He holds his phone up, aims it at us, and takes a picture.

We both laugh as we’re blinded by the flash.

I’m still blinking away the dull light when Dallas says behind me, “There. I took a picture as evidence it really happened.”

“What really happened?”

“Us.”

My shoulders lighten and I relax into him. “It’s been a great week.” My statement rings somber when I feel quite the opposite. Dallas has been exhilarating for me. I’ve really enjoyed spending time with him.

For a few minutes, we’re quiet, watching the sky as stars slowly prick to life in the dark canvas and the moon lazily moves over the water.

“Darlin’, I want you to know I didn’t gift them a house to hurt your feelings.”

I shift my head to look at him over my shoulder. “I know that. The house has nothing to do with me.”

“But it does. I know you thought I was taking Michael and Keli away from you but that wasn’t the plan.” I’m ready to ask what this elusive plan of his was when he adds, “I just miss my daughter.”

“I get that.” I’ll miss my son. The spur of the moment dinners and shopping trips for random items. The drinks on the patio or a last-minute decision to attend a baseball game. “We’ll need to share them now.”

“Think we do that pretty well.” Dallas kisses my temple, squeezing his arms around me.

I don’t want to think about Michael leaving so I concentrate on the palms waving in the night breeze and continue to rub my fingers over Dallas’s beaded wrist.

“You’ll come visit,” Dallas says, like it’s pre-decided.

“Yeah.” My voice lacks. I don’t have the financial means Dallas does for expensive airfare. I also don’t have endless days to leave my job whenever I please. A visit still isn’t like having Michael every other weekend. Not that I have Michael every other weekend now, as he’s an adult with his own life, but it’s those sporadic moments I’m going to miss.

I remain quiet. Trying not to be selfish, I eventually muster some false enthusiasm. “And there is always video conferencing for all the milestones with future baby Hudson.”