Keeley splashed in the water and boogeyboarded with her sons. Violet tried it once, then gave up after getting water up her nose. Surprisingly, Aaron was the best.
"Wow, Dad! Show me how you did that!" Oliver exclaimed excitedly after Aaron rode a wave to shore.
"Honestly, I'm not sure, but I can try again," Aaron replied with a shrug.
It wasn't a fluke; he did it four more times. The boys looked at him with awe and begged him for help.
Keeley rejoined her daughter on the sand, sipping an alcohol-free piña colada and reading.
"I've only ever seen you read mystery novels," Violet said. "Don't you like romance?"
Keeley almost snorted. She hadn't read a romance novel since she was eighteen. Initially, it was lack of time; later, disappointment in her own love life. Even after remarrying Aaron, she couldn't stomach their unrealistic portrayal of love. Real love wasn't like that.
A wry half-smile touched her lips. "I had my heart broken a long time ago. That soured me on romance novels and chick flicks."
Intrigued, Violet asked, "Who was it?"
Keeley couldn't answer honestly; she wouldn't ruin her daughter's opinion of her father.
"A boy from high school. He had a rough home life and didn't know how to be in a relationship. It didn't work out, and I was bitter for a long time. That's probably why it took your dad a while to win me over," Keeley said ironically.
It took him so long because she wasn't sure she could trust again. Then, fear about Lacy Knighton and Alistair Hale kept her heart closed, even after he was her best friend again. Only after Lacy's murder did Keeley realize she was still hopelessly in love with her husband.
"I had no idea it took Dad time to win your heart. You guys are so perfect together, I figured it was always that way," Violet said, taking another sip.
Keeley shook her head, feeling sheepish.
"No, it took time. I met him during my senior year and wasn't open to love. We were apart for five and a half years before reconnecting. Even then, he had to work hard to convince me."
Violet laughed. "Someone should write a romance novel about your love story. People would love it."
Keeley thought of the telenovela—a secret she'd kept from Aaron. She saw no point in hurting his feelings.
"People do like a persistent male lead, don't they?" Keeley asked lightly. "Your father is the most patient person I've ever met. He wanted only me and did everything to make it happen."
"I wish someone would love me that much," Violet sighed dreamily. "The book I'm reading is like that. The characters were apart for over ten years because of a wrong phone number. But he never stopped loving her and found her when she was engaged to a jerk."
That sounded like a classic romance novel, though Keeley doubted Violet, usually so studious, would enjoy it. This romance phase was recent—she was at a romantic age.
Keeley wondered if Violet realized Noah's feelings. It was obvious to both sets of parents that Noah's childhood crush had blossomed. The love she described—mushy, sentimental, supportive—was a best friend relationship. Didn't she already have that with Noah? He attended every performance and brought flowers. How hadn't she noticed?
"Vi, I don't mean to pry, but do you like Noah?" Keeley asked gently.
Violet's shock was genuine. "Are you crazy?! Liking Noah is like liking Kaleb!"
Poor Noah. Keeley and Jennica knew he liked Violet. She hoped he'd move on, but wondered what would happen to her daughter when Noah fell for someone else.
"He's my best friend," Violet said. "You don't fall in love with your best friend."
Keeley thought of her own relationship with Aaron—a large part of why she was alive. Discounting reincarnation, she wouldn't have married him without their friendship. But she couldn't say that now. Keeping her lies straight across lifetimes was confusing.
Oddly, only Aiden knew the whole truth. Aaron had figured it out when Oliver was born. Aaron didn't know everything, however, because he was embarrassed about his past mistakes. But Aiden was the only other person alive who knew about their double reincarnation.