He finally looked up at me and smiled. But the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
And I already knew what he was going to say.
“Just the three of us for a little longer.”
It was the sweetest way he could possibly put it. But I felt myself deflating.
“Don’t,” he said, pulling me into his side. “Don’t be upset about something that isn’t in your control.” He kissed my temple, holding me tight.
It was easy to melt into him, letting him take away some of my pain. “Maybe next month,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure I believed the words.
“Maybe. And look on the bright side. It means you can have a glass of wine tonight.”
I smiled up at him. “That’s true.”
“And that you can eat sushi for at least another month.”
I laughed. “You know I don’t like sushi.”
“Well, now you have another month to try some new varieties. I really think if you tried it again…”
“I promise you I don’t like it.”
“You’re very unadventurous.”
“Really? If I recall correctly, I escaped from a mob boss, lived on my own for months barely scraping by because I wanted to see the Pacific Ocean, and shagged my bodyguard. I even know how to use a gun. I’m very adventurous.”
“I stand corrected.” Miller pushed himself up off the floor and put his hand out for me. “Come on my adventurous wife. I know just what you need.”
“And what is it that I need?”
“I’m going to need you to trust me on that one.” He put his hand closer to me.
Of course I trusted him. I put my hand in his and let him help me to my feet.
He led me past Jacob’s bedroom. Jacob was fast asleep. He’d had a busy birthday. I bet he’d fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Miller led me down the hall, through the great room, and out the back door.
“Where are we going?” I said with a laugh as we walked through the grass. God I loved the summer. There was something magical about walking barefoot in the grass.
We walked onto the dock and he led me to the very end.
“Okay,” he said. “Do your thing.”
“What thing?” Did he want me to jump in or something?
“Your thing.”
I laughed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Scream, kid. Scream it all out.”
I hadn’t done that in ages. I remember screaming at the top of my lungs at the beach house when I was frustrated. I knew he’d seen me do it. Or at least heard me do it. I smiled over at him.
“Come on, we’ll do it together,” he said and squeezed my hand.
“Won’t someone hear us?” The night was quiet, except for the hum of cicadas in the trees. I always thought my screams at the beach got swept up with the crashing waves.
