Time by the pool

After Aiden left, the mood between Lisa and Natalie relaxed. They wandered down the block, taking their time until Lisa spotted a boutique with bright sundresses out front and tugged Natalie inside.

Lisa made a beeline for the swimwear racks and began flipping through hangers. “You know, I could use something new. That bikini from last night is barely holding together.”

Natalie smiled, picturing the bold print and high-cut bottoms. “It looked a bit like it was struggling, but not because it’s worn out.”

Lisa grinned, then pulled a coral two-piece from the rack and held it up to her waist. “You think this one’s too much?”

“No, I think it’s perfect for you. Definitely your color.”

She didn’t hesitate, heading straight for the dressing rooms, pulling the curtain tight behind her. “Seriously though, right, Nat? I think this place was made for me. They have so many cute items.”

Natalie waited by the racks, casually browsing what they had while Lisa’s voice floated out from behind the curtain about summer concerts and sunscreen brands. A minute later, she emerged, tugging the new bikini into place, turning sideways in the big mirror.

“Well?” she asked, striking a quick pose.

Natalie gave an approving nod. “You look amazing.”

Lisa checked herself once more, then beamed. “Done deal. I’m getting it.” She ducked back inside to change, then grabbed a bright pair of cheap, but fun sunglasses before heading to the counter.

After the bags were packed, Lisa looped her arm through Natalie’s as they stepped outside. “Just so you know we’re hitting your pool when we get back. No excuses.”

Natalie shook her head, laughing. “It’s heated, but don’t expect it to feel like a hot tub.”

“That’s fine. We can just do little dips in it then. It’s still warm enough out, I can work on my tan.”

Back at the apartment, they dropped their bags in Natalie’s room. Lisa pulled out her new bikini, then poked her head down the hall to find Aiden where he’d been sitting on the couch with his phone.

“Hey!” she called. “We’re heading to the pool. Grab your suit.”

Aiden looked up, raising an eyebrow. “I just got comfortable.”

Lisa waved a hand. “You can be comfortable out there. I didn’t come all this way to sit inside. Besides, you already ditched me last night, you’re not doing it this afternoon too.”

Aiden let out a groan. “You two go ahead. I’ll catch up later.”

Lisa crossed her arms, grinning. “Nope, not happening. You’re coming- it’s family time. You can consider it part of my visitation rights.”

Natalie peeked around the door, towel over her shoulder. “You might as well give in. You know she’s not gonna take no for an answer.”

Aiden tried for one more protest. “Can I at least finish what I’m doing?”

Lisa held up a finger. “Ten minutes. Pool deck. No excuses.”

He couldn’t help but smile at her stubbornness. “Fine. But if you sunburn, I’m not gonna be the one to go buy you aloe.”

“Deal!” Lisa shot back, already heading for Natalie’s room.

Natalie slipped into her own suit and tied her hair up, catching Lisa adjusting the fit of her new bikini in the mirror. “You’re really something, you know that?”

Lisa just winked, grabbed the towels and speaker, and led the way out.

True to his word, ten minutes later Aiden showed up in board shorts and a t-shirt, carrying a bottle of water. Lisa greeted him with a triumphant little cheer and waved her arms around the empty pool area. “See? It’s not so bad.”

Natalie set her phone aside, eased herself into the pool, and watched as Lisa did a quick twirl in her new bikini before diving in. She surfaced with a wide grin, splashing water in Aiden’s direction.

He backed up a step, laughing. “You’re in a mood today.”

Lisa flashed him a victorious grin. “That’s what happens when I finally get to drag you outside. Now c’mon, get in before I make you.”

Natalie laughed, finally letting the energy between the three of them settle into something a little more relaxed. The afternoon sun beat down, the water was warm enough to not feel like she needed to jump right back out, and despite everything that had changed, they almost felt like a family for the moment.

The afternoon unfolded in the pool with an easy, infectious energy. Lisa started it by tossing a foam ball she’d found earlier at Aiden the second he sat at the pool’s edge. He scooped it up and tossed it back, sending it arcing right over Lisa’s head so that Natalie had to stretch to catch it.

Lisa grinned. “Okay, so here’s the game. First person to drop the ball has to go back to the apartment to grab us all water.”

Aiden gave them both a mock-apologetic look. “One of you two are toast.”

Natalie rolled her eyes but played along, laughing as Lisa made up more rules as they went – no holding onto the side, you could only tread water, you had to throw left-handed every few rounds, you could only hold the ball for two seconds. It was ridiculous, but fun.

For a few minutes, they were just three bodies in the water, shrieking with laughter as Lisa, who was highly competitive, tried every trick to win. At one point, she clambered onto Aiden’s back, trying to keep him from being able to catch the ball. “Mom, you’re cheating,” he called, ducking as Natalie lobbed the ball their way. Lisa just cackled, clinging on, her feet making a mess of splashes.

When Aiden still managed to catch the ball, Natalie finally relented, sinking down until the water washed up to her chin. “All right, you two win. I surrender.”

Lisa raised her arms in victory, then slipped off Aiden’s back and sent a spray of water in both their directions. “Go get me my water!”

Aiden grinned and climbed out, shaking water from his hair. “I’ll go get them. Natalie, you want anything while I’m there?”

She shook her head, squeezing water from her hair and following Lisa to the sun loungers. “Just a bottle of water is fine.”

Lisa flopped onto one, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. “That was what I needed. You two are good for me.”

When he made it back, Aiden settled in next to her, their chairs angled so they could both watch the pool. He passed Lisa her bottle and tapped his to hers.

Natalie dried off and took the seat next to them, but stayed quiet, tucking her towel under her. She watched as Lisa kicked a foot at the end of Aiden’s chair, the two of them chatting about old road trips and how often she’d really gotten them lost. Lisa nudged his leg with her toes, laughing when he tried to imply that he didn’t think they ever ended up where she intended, and just lied to play off being lost.

Natalie let herself watch them for a moment. She enjoyed seeing Lisa’s smile, and the familiar way she teased her son bringing the playful rhythm of their back-and-forth. There were similarities of Lisa in the way Aiden smiled, and the way he furrowed his brow when he pretended to be annoyed. The commonality stood out to her, not just in the physicality, but in the warmth and openness they carried together.

Something twisted deep in her stomach. She’d always admired how close they were, and how easy it was for Lisa to show affection, or to make people make room for her, and fill the space with enthusiasm. Now, watching them like this, Natalie felt an emptiness as the two bantered back and forth. A wish that she belonged to something as comforting as they did, and a guilt that swept in at the thought she could cause a rift between them.

Even now, some part of her couldn’t help but want Aiden the same way she wanted Lisa. The guilt came in quickly setting over her. Guilt over what she and Lisa already shared, tangled with the thoughts of Aiden that kept creeping in, uninvited, and reminding her of how she wanted him too.

Lisa’s laughter carried, and Aiden glanced over, his mouth forming into a smile that looked exactly like his mother’s. Natalie turned her face toward the sun, closed her eyes, and let herself drift, just for a moment, in the glow of what she had, and everything she wanted.

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