Worth the Fall(24)

“I am grateful you were there, and I’m sorry…and—”

“Apology accepted. How’s Charlie?”

“Um…he’s fine. He woke up in the night a few times, but—”

“Matty!” The kids had done all the waiting they were going to do and all four made themselves at home at Matt’s table. Gracie bounced between them like Tigger on crack. Charlie stood beside Matt’s chair, arms raised.

“Hey, little guy.” He sat Charlie in his lap and looked around the table at the other kids. “How’s it going?”

“Matty!” Charlie repeated, pulling Matt’s sunglasses off his head.

Matt retrieved them and settled Charlie to face the table. Before Abby could stop him, Charlie crammed the toast from Matt’s plate into his greedy little mouth.

“We’re hungry too.”

Matt pushed his plate across the table and little hands immediately swiped up the bacon and sausage like a pack of dogs.

“I hope you were finished,” she said, looking anxious. “I did feed them.”

“I was.” He brushed Charlie’s hair back from his forehead.

“I haven’t gotten a good look this morning, but I figured him running away was a healthy sign. Do you want me to get you another breakfast? I can go and—”

“Abby?” He didn’t look at her, just continued his inspection.

“What?”

“Sit down.” He didn’t lift the bandage but looked closely around the edges, holding Charlie’s head still until he squirmed. “It looks good. He definitely has his appetite.” He glanced around the table. “So, no bathing suits?”

“We’re going to the mall,” Gracie said.

“It’s an outdoor mall,” Abby added, “with a Ferris wheel and places to eat. I thought it might be better to avoid the water today.”

“Good idea.”

“You could come,” Jack said, looking hopeful.

“I can’t today, bud.”

“What about tonight? We’re going out for pizza and it has swings outside it. You could come then.”

“Well,” Matt hesitated.

“Don’t you like pizza?” Jack asked.

“Sure I do.”

Jack cocked his head. “Don’t you like us?”

“Of course I do, bud.” He smiled, messing Jack’s hair, hating the hint of insecurity in the boy’s voice. “I’m just not sure tonight is the best—”

“You should come,” Abby said.

Surprised, Matt looked over. “You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” He never took his eyes from hers, even as Jack cheered. It was probably a mistake, but he wasn’t ready to give up this feeling yet, this rightness that settled over him whenever he was close to her. “What time should I come down?”

“Five-thirty?”

“Sounds good.”

Abby’s flustered side reappeared as she gathered up the kids and said goodbye. That was fine. She needed time to regroup. So did he.

—

Matt had joined them for pizza and ice cream, then he and Abby had somehow gotten roped into watching a movie before putting the kids to bed. Not that it was a hardship to sit on the couch next to Matt.

And now the kids were in bed.

The night was clear. A nearly full moon reflected on the water and a cool breeze greeted Abby when she returned to the living room. The balcony door stood open, allowing the sound and scent of the ocean to fill her condo.

She stepped outside, just able to make out Matt’s big body in the dark. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he said, turning his head. “Kids asleep?”

“Almost.” The way his arms were braced against the rail, he looked poised to vault over at any second. Ready to save the world, and no doubt more than able.

Chill bumps covered her arms and she shivered—due partly to the ocean breeze, partly the man beside her.

“You’re cold.” Matt pushed off the rail and ushered her inside, his hot hand at her back shooting tingles up her spine. He slid the glass closed and turned the latch.

She’d watched him move all night in jeans that hugged his muscled thighs and a black polo-style shirt that outlined every bit of strength. Then she’d sat beside him, her head resting against his shoulder, trying hard not to imagine more nights.

“Do you want a Coke or something? Water? Milk?”

“I’m fine.” He sat on the couch, looking completely relaxed, stretching one arm across the back like he’d had it during the movie.

“Oh, okay.” She stood in the middle of the room, unsure what to do next, which way to go. “I might have apple juice, but it’ll be in a box and you’ll have to use a little straw.”