Page 28 of Blue Sky

He finally released me, and I gave him an involuntary hug. Our wet bodies pressed against each other with only the thin fabric separating us. I wanted to stay in this moment and lose myself in Beck’s embrace.

But I quickly realized all eyes were on us at the pool. God, what did these people think? This widower hugging the nanny. How inappropriate.

I raced out of the pool and Mónica handed me a towel.

“Don’t!” I scolded when she opened her mouth.

“What, I wasn’t going to say nothing. Just that you are a good swimmer.”

Her tone was teasing. What kind of example was I setting for them? I wanted to rush back to our place and lock myself in the room, alone with my embarrassment.

But Beck placed his hand on my back and smiled.

“Let’s get ice cream.”

“Yes!” Ana María said, a little too loudly.

We went to the concessions cart and we each ordered a cone of swirl soft serve.

Ana María looked up at Beck, with ice cream dripping down her face. “Beck?”

“Yup, sweetie.”

“Thank you. This is the best day ever.”