When the girls returned, they found Carey lying on one of the lounge chairs, Patrick in his arms, a huge beach towel wrapped around both their waists like a blanket. Jan came over to them while Shonda stayed at the gate, still nursing the remains of an ice cream cone. “Well? You boys ready to go?”
“I’m staying right here,” Carey told her, holding Patrick close as he snuggled up against his back.
With a laugh, Jan asked, “Did he treat you nice, Patrick?”
“More or less,” Patrick replied.
“Hey!” Carey cried, sitting up.
Patrick’s shy smile made Jan giggle. “Oh, you’re too cute. You have to keep this one, Carey. I like him.”
“If he stops being mean to me,” Carey said with a pout.
Snuggling closer to Carey, Patrick sighed. “I’m not being mean.” His earlier nervousness was gone, left behi
