Where would she be when the maze was finally completed? Would she even be living on the island? I supposed if she was still with me and happy, I knew what my secret message would be. I hoped I wasn't setting myself up for disappointment.
Chapter Eighteen
Blake
The last few weeks, Dalton was busy between work and the maze. It left me with a lot of time to think. I'd researched the possibility of offering art classes. But I still couldn't decide if I wanted to go back to school and get an art therapy concentration or if I just wanted to start doing it now.
If I was being honest with myself, I wanted to offer the classes now. But the logical side of my brain said to go back to school, not waste the money I'd already borrowed for tuition, and just finish the degree. It had the added effect of pleasing my parents too.
I felt like I was stuck. The only thing that got me excited was spending a day with Lilliana and Dalton or the thought of hosting a class.
Tonight, I'd finally arranged time to meet up with the girls at a local beach bar. Dalton came home early, giving me time to take a bath and get ready.
When I lingered in the kitchen, he gave me a look. "I love spending time with you, but you are going out tonight."
I pouted. "But I'm going to miss you and Lilliana."
He pulled me into his chest and kissed the top of my head. "I'm going to miss you too. But you deserve a break. I've been working extra-long hours on the maze."
I patted his chest. "That means that we should be going out together."
"Girls' night first. Then we'll talk about date night." He lowered his face, and I kissed him, wishing this could be my life all the time.
But there was no way for it to work if I went back to school. Not that I was sure I wanted that anyway. Regardless of my relationship with Dalton.
He smacked my butt. "Now go."
I hugged Lilliana in her high chair, kissing her when she lifted her lips. She was into giving everyone kisses, and I couldn't say no. It was adorable, and every day I was certain I loved her too. "See you later."
"Not too soon," Dalton called after me. "Let one of my brothers drive you home if you need a ride."
"Will do," I said, feeling weird leaving the house in the evening. We spent most nights together when he wasn't working on the maze.
The weeks when Oakley took Lilliana, we spent a lot of time swimming, taking long walks on the beach, and in bed. Those hours together were amazing, but it only made me want more. A future with Dalton and Lilliana.
I drove to the bar, feeling a little weird to be going out with these women that I didn't know that well. I'd spent time with Ivy but more as her son's nanny. Then there was the time we went to his family's dinner. But that was a while ago now.
I drew in a deep breath as I walked around to the back of the bar where the girls said they'd be. Someone had added me to their group text, which appeared to include the Kingston brothers' girlfriends and fiancées and their friends.
I hadn't been able to get out to meet other people. Most of the moms didn't socialize with the nannies. I wasn't in the same stage of life as far as they were concerned.
Elena waved me over to their picnic table in the sand. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"It must be hard to leave Lilliana at home," Daria said sympathetically as if I were her mother, which hit me in the chest.
From what I remembered of the group messages, she owned the seashell shop. "Dalton insisted I go out. He's had a lot of late nights building the maze, so he felt like I needed to get out."
Daria fanned herself. "It must be hard to leave him too."
Everyone laughed, and I found myself relaxing.
"We usually spend every evening together. It's been nice."
Elena leaned in. "Are things getting serious between you two?"
A server paused at the end of the table before I could respond. "Can I get you anything?"
I looked around at the table, and everyone had various fruity-looking drinks. "Whatever they're having is fine."
