“Just in time,” Katie remarked.
“Of course. The elements wouldn’t dare mess with the well-laid plans of the carnival committee. Or Joyce for that matter.”
She smiled. “How long is it going to take you to pick up Joyce’s daughter?”
“Probably four or five hours. Raleigh’s not exactly convenient to this place.”
“Why didn’t she fly into Wilmington? Or just rent a car?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask, but if I had to guess I’d say she wanted to save some money.”
“You’re doing a good thing, you know. Helping Joyce like that.”
He gave a nonchalant shrug, indicating that it wasn’t a big deal. “You’ll have fun tomorrow.”
“At the carnival or with the kids?”
“Both. And if you ask me nice, I’ll treat you to some deep-fried ice cream.”
“Fried ice cream? It sounds disgusting.”
“It’s actually tasty.”
“Is everything fried down here?”
“If it can be fried, believe me, someone will find a way. Last year, there was a place serving deep-fried butter.”
She almost gagged. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. It sounded terrible, but people were lining up to buy it. They might as well have been lining up for heart attacks.”
She washed and rinsed the last of the cups, then passed it to him. “Do you think the kids liked the dinner I made? Kristen didn’t eat very much.”
“Kristen never eats much. And more important, I liked it. I thought it was delicious.”
She shook her head. “Who cares about the kids, right? As long as you’re happy?”
“I’m sorry. I’m a narcissist at heart.”
She ran the soapy sponge over a plate and rinsed it. “I’m looking forward to spending some time at your house.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re always here, not there. Don’t get me wrong—I understand it was the right thing to do because of the kids.” And because of Carly, she also thought, but she didn’t mention that part. “It’ll give me the chance to see how you live.”
Alex took the plate. “You’ve been there before.”
“Yes, but not for more than a few minutes, and then only in the kitchen or living room. It’s not like I’ve had the chance to check out your bedroom or peek in your medicine cabinet.”
“You wouldn’t do that.” Alex feigned outrage.
“Maybe if I had the chance, I might.”
He dried the plate and put it in the cupboard. “Feel free to spend as much time in my bedroom as you like.”
She laughed. “You’re such a man.”
“I’m just saying that I wouldn’t mind. And feel free to peek in the medicine cabinet, too. I have no secrets.”
“So you say,” she teased. “You’re talking to someone who only has secrets.”
“Not from me.”
“No,” she agreed, her face serious. “Not from you.”
She washed two more plates and handed them to him, feeling a wave of contentment wash over her as she watched him dry and put them away.
He cleared his throat.
“Can I ask you something?” he said. “I don’t want you to take it the wrong way, but I’ve been curious.”
“Go ahead.”
He used the towel on his arms, dabbing at stray droplets, buying time. “I was wondering if you’d given more thought to what I said last weekend. In the parking lot, after seeing the rodeo monkeys?”
“You said a lot of things,” she said cautiously.
“Don’t you remember? You told me that Erin couldn’t get married, but I said that Katie probably could?”
Katie felt herself stiffen, less at the memory than at the serious tone he was using. She knew exactly where this was leading. “I remember,” she said with forced lightness. “I think I said I would have to meet the right guy.”
At her words, his lips tightened, as if he were debating whether to continue. “I just wanted to know if you thought about it. Us eventually getting married, I mean.”
The water was still warm as she started on the silverware. “You’d have to ask first.”
“But if I did?”
She found a fork and scrubbed it. “I suppose I’d tell you that I love you.”
“Would you say yes?”
She paused. “I don’t want to get married again.”
“You don’t want to, or you don’t think you can?”
“What’s the difference?” Her expression remained stubborn, closed. “You know I’m still married. Bigamy is illegal.”