Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,31

I resisted the impulse to jerk my hand away. “That does feel weird.”

“You kind of get used to it. Then you start thinking about it. And then it freaks you out a bit. I can’t imagine how much my life is going to change.”

I found myself contrasting my life to Becky’s and wondering about her path. Law school was a long haul, a hard road, and adding children to the mix could really impact a woman’s career path. I couldn’t help wondering why she’d done it.

“Did you always plan—” I cut myself off, realizing it was none of my business.

“Having a family?”

I removed my hand from her stomach. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“I know why you asked. I planning to work after the baby—babies. Maybe not full time.” She gave a little laugh. “As you’ve seen, practicing law in Rutter’s Point isn’t exactly a pressure cooker.”

“I like it,” I said, thinking back to the clients. “I didn’t expect that.”

“It’s not Manhattan.”

“I know.” I rose and moved back to my chair. “Does it lose its appeal over time? I mean, did you ever consider leaving Rutter’s Point?”

“A couple of times.” She trailed her hand over her stomach. “But then Ben proposed. Whatever my universe was, Ben became the center. We talked about everything, all the pathways, but we both wanted to raise our kids in Rutter’s Point. And here we are.”

“So, you chose family over a career.” I tried to wrap my head around that.

“It was never really a choice.”

“It wasn’t for me either. But the opposite way.” Funny that I’d never considered compromising my career for a family. Maybe it was my friends and circumstances. Maybe it was the influence of Manhattan. Or, it sounded cliché, maybe I’d never met the right man.

*

I hadn’t seen Josh since last night, and our moment in the wine cellar was topmost on my mind. I was curious about my feelings. Had it been a fleeting moment of intimacy, or would I still feel the same when I saw him today?

I had a snack at Madeline’s while I changed into my work clothes. Then I started on my way to the park, picturing Josh as I walked.

The air had a crisp ocean tang overlaid with the scent of flowers and the occasional hint of pine trees. It was a contrast to fighting my way through a crowded sidewalk or hailing a cab in the rain.

The traffic was sparse, and only a few families were out for the evening. They all said hello as they passed. The breeze was cool, gentle, and clear as it flowed over my skin.

My feet were loving the new shoes. My walking flats back home were just that—flat shoes that saved me from wearing heels. They were stylish, but definitely not built for arch support. Maybe when I got home, I’d convert permanently.

I couldn’t help but smile at my little epiphany and wonder what Cecily would think of my sturdy, seafoam footwear.

“There you are.” Josh’s voice came through the open window of his SUV as he coasted to a halt beside me.

My heart rose a notch at the sound of his voice, and I veered toward the vehicle. I took in his smile and the little green flecks in his eyes, marveling at how perfectly he fit his environment in a plaid cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up, faded blue jeans, and his beard stubble slightly longer than yesterday.

Oh, yes, the attraction was still there.

“Hop in,” he said.

I took the invitation, even though it was only two blocks down to the park entrance, and resisted the urge to stare at his profile as he drove. It didn’t help with ignoring the sound of his voice, which seemed to have grown sexier by the day.

“I hear you stopped in to see Becky this morning.”

I took the excuse and turned to look at him, strangely happy to be talked about the people in town. “Does everyone around here know everything about everyone else?”

He chuckled. “Pretty much. In this case, I was talking to Ben. How did she seem to you?”

“Good.” My enthusiasm stemmed from how much I’d enjoyed visiting with Becky. “I mean, not that I know her well enough to judge. Why? Is Ben worried?”

“Only that she’ll go stir crazy.”

“She did seem like she was on her way to that. I take it she has a lot of energy?”

“She does.”

I watched the parking lot entrance pass by. “Aren’t we . . .”

“Aren’t we what?”

“You missed the turn.”

He nodded out