Tammy stooped to do them up as Zak went into a rush of excited chatter about a papier-mâché volcano they were making.
“It sounds cool,” Jayden said. “Are you painting it red?”
“Yes, how do you know?”
“Er, isn’t that what color the lava is?” Jayden said with a laugh as he tried to remove the dry red paint from Zak’s cheek with no success.
“Yeah, it’s gonna be all red at the top.” Zak was hopping on the spot, impatient to race for home with Caleb. “Can I go to Caleb’s for pizza?”
“Zak, you can’t invite yourself,” Tammy said.
“Oh, we love having him,” Sarah said. “But I’m visiting my parents tonight. It’s my father’s birthday.”
“Have a lovely time.” Tammy stood with a smile. “See youtomorrow.”
They wandered back with Zak atop Jayden’s shoulders and still talking about volcanoes. It seemed they were his new obsession, having taken the place of rockets.
“I hope one doesn’t grow and erupt here,” he said, holding one hand aloft, fingers crossed.
“Me too, buddy,” Jayden said. “But the water in the ocean will put it out, right?”
He thought for a moment. “Yeah, I guess.”
Tammy turned to look behind herself, unable to shake the uncomfortable feeling. Was it because she was playing happy family when by law she was still married to someone else? Was that what had made today different? She was sleeping with someone who wasn’t her husband?
But oh, she didn’t regret it. For so long, sex had been a duty at best. Yet today, today it had been all about pleasure and connection and giving in to a desire to be close to Jayden. A desire that had been growing steadily day by day.
She looked up at him, then higher still at Zak’s smiling, sun-kissed face.
It made her happy. These two people at her side were her everything. Her new life. And she was exactly where she wanted to be.
A sudden roar filled the air, and a Harley carrying two leather-clad passengers rumbled toward them. It stopped on the curbside outside her home.
“That bike’s like yours,” Zak said.
“Not quite as good as mine,” Jayden said with a laugh.
“Or as shiny,” Zak added.
Jayden chuckled. “True.”
The bike’s engine shut off, and Belle removed her helmet. “Hey.” She grinned. “How’s it going?”
“All good.” Tammy smiled. “You coming in for a drink?”
“Sure.” She turned to the house. “This your place?”
“Yes, well, it’s Hudson’s, but we’re staying here.”
“Wyatt.” She poked him as he tugged off his helmet. “We need a place like this, don’t you think?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say.”
“For the baby,” Belle said, climbing off the bike. “So he or she can grow up by the beach and not Nina’s.”
“We’ll see.” Wyatt rubbed his thumb and index finger together. “Depends on the bucks.”
Belle linked her arm with Tammy’s and leaned in like a conspirator. “I’ll get my way. Just you watch.”