“My feet are killing me,” Heather said. “I don’t know where he gets the energy.”
“The excitement probably has something to do with it.” Simon wrapped his arm around her shoulders and steered her towards a seating area in the center of the room.
She sank down with a sigh. “I don’t think he’s ever going to want to leave this place.”
“I’m just amazed at how fearless he is,” he said. “Honestly, at his age I think seeing these sharks would have scared the hell out of me.”
“I would have protected you,” she teased.
He smiled and sat down beside her. It was hard to believe, but they really had known each other since they were barely older than Finn was now. Even in the years they had been apart, he had spent the time working on the company she had inspired. Now, they were getting the second chance that he hadn’t seen coming. Their relationship was new, but because of their history it felt so right. Like they were meant to be together.
Simon had never believed in things like fate, but if he did he might believe that he was destined to be with Heather. He had never loved a woman before. Never thought it was possible. Yet here he was, ready to do anything to make her happy. Even try to bond with a kid despite knowing very little about raising children.
If someone had told him a year ago that he’d be in love and spending time trying to bond with a six-year-old, he wouldn’t have believed it. For years he had resisted letting people in, and now not only had Heather gotten past his defenses but so had Finn. Simon hadn’t known Finn for long, but he liked the kid already.
She tilted her head, like she was trying to get a better look at him. “What are you thinking?”
He jerked his head back in surprise as her voice dragged him back to reality. “Nothing really. Just thinking about how lucky I am.”
Her entire face lit up as she smiled, and she leaned closer to him to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for planning this. I haven’t seen Finn this happy in such a long time.”
His gaze drifted over to the far side of the aquarium, and together they watched as Finn and the tour guide chatted eagerly as they watched the sharks swim by.
Nearly an hour went by and Finn still hadn’t tired of looking at the sharks.
Heather yawned. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to get Finn out of here.”
Simon glanced at his watch. It was after nine. “What time does he usually go to bed?”
“Around eight,” she said. “But you’re probably right about the excitement. Seeing sharks up close has probably given him a bunch of energy. I don’t want to make him leave, but it is getting a bit late.”
“I think I have an idea.” He got up and walked over to Finn. “Hey, Finn. How would you like to check out the aquarium gift shop before we head back to the resort? I’m pretty sure they’ve got some shark stuff there, so we can get any toy you like.”
“Really?” Finn grinned and reached for Simon’s hand. “Okay, let’s go.”
Heather got to her feet when they walked up to her. “Ready to go?”
“We’re going to the gift shop. I’m getting a toy.” Finn bounded ahead of them, racing towards the gift shop.
“Ordinarily I’d be concerned about you bribing him with toys, but since we’re on vacation I won’t complain.”
Simon took her small hand in his. “Great. Because I’m buying you a gift as well, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
SOUVENIR SHOPPING WAS the last thing he ever saw himself doing. Before his relationship with Heather, he would have thought it was too clichéd. Too pedestrian. But the more time he spent with Finn and Heather, the more the mundane things he had missed out on began to take on an air of excitement.
He wrapped his arm around her waist as she looked over some scarves in the aquarium gift shop. Finn was busy looking over toys, trying to figure out which one he wanted.
“Have you checked the jewelry section?” he whispered into her ear.
Something akin to panic flickered in her hazel eyes. “I couldn’t possibly—”
“That’s it, we’re going to the jewelry section,” he said, steering her towards the glass displays nearby. As he led her away, he made sure to keep an eye on Finn.