He barely contains his laughter.
“Do I look panicked?” I toss at him jokingly.
He softly nods.
“I’m sure you can do it. Emma will help you,” he says, sprawling into his chair and leaning back.
He closes his eyes. I pick the smallest plastic shovel and throw it at him.
Laughing, he peels his eyes open.
“Did you just set me up?” I ask.
First, he shakes his head, and then he nods a yes, utterly entertained.
“I’ve never built a sand castle,” I say.
He spreads his legs and gives me a cocky smile.
“You’ve built a multi-million dollar business. I’m sure you can build a sand castle.”
“You’re such a smart ass,” I mumble under my breath, shifting my attention to Emma, who watches me attentively.
“Ass...” she murmurs, echoing my word.
“Jazz...” I reply, trying to distract her.
Jaden barely suppresses his laughter.
I throw him a glare, and then I roll my eyes.
He starts laughing like an ass.
“Smart jazz...” I say to Emma, trying to keep my voice even.
She looks at me, confused. Swiftly, she makes up her mind and starts clapping her hands, singsonging.
“Jazz... Jazz... Jazz.”
Jaden straightens in his chair and opens his mouth, ready to give me some advice. I flick my hand up, and he keeps his mouth shut, quietly chuckling.
For a good half an hour, we build a sand castle that looks horrible. Seemingly, I’m the only one concerned with esthetics, and Emma has a lot of fun.
Sara shows up around noon.
She wears a sleeveless white dress with a tailored top, a flared bottom, and strawberry embroidered pockets that add a splash of color to her full skirt.
Her hair is tied into a ponytail.
“Has she behaved?” she asks, setting her beach bag next to the third lounge chair.
“Yes, she has. She is a good girl,” I say, shifting my gaze to Emma.
Just as I finish saying that, Emma pokes her sand-glazed fingers into my mouth.
“Emma. That is not food,” Sara says, rushing to pick her up. “I’m sorry,” she mutters, apologetic.
“I’m fine,” I say, with grains of sand stuck between my teeth.