Invisible String

24

Jason perked up. "That was you?"

She rolled her eyes. "It was a side angle and blurred. Calm down."

Travis just pulled his sunglasses down and muttered, "This boat is cursed."

I grinned as Mira finished, letting out a content sigh. I shifted her to burp and leaned into Travis a little.

"Guess I should pack a one-piece next time."

"Nah," he said. "Just pack me a towel next time. I'll be your security detail."

I blinked at him. "You'll be my security detail?"

Travis just smirked, still chewing on his sandwich, like he hadn't just casually volunteered himself to be a walking, shirtless human shield for my boobs.

"You do realize that's literally someone's full-time job, right?" I said, adjusting Mira against my shoulder as I patted her back. "You're gonna walk around with a towel ready at all times? What if you're in the water? What if you're holding a sandwich? What if you're the one having a nip slip?"

Jason choked on his drink across from us, sputtering as Kylie patted his back, laughing.

"Oh my God," Kylie wheezed, "please let him be the one to go viral for a wardrobe malfunction."

"First of all," Travis said, raising a finger like he was giving a TED Talk, "I'm a professional. I can sandwich and security at the same time. Second-" he leaned toward me, lowering his voice, "-I don't really care what anyone sees. But if someone so much as thinks about snapping another creeper photo of you without permission, they're gonna have me to deal with."

I stared at him, eyebrows high. "Since when are you so possessive?"

"Since always," he said simply. "But especially when it comes to you walking around with, like, half the internet waiting to pounce."

Mira let out a burp loud enough to make all the kids giggle. I gently sat her up on my lap, brushing her soft baby hair away from her forehead. "You know," I said, eyeing him, "I married you for your charm, but I'm starting to think I severely underestimated the bodyguard potential."

"Now you're catching on," he grinned. "Just call me Travis: Husband, Father, Towel Bearer of Justice."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, Thor. Finish your sandwich before you start claiming kingdoms."

He nudged my shoulder and whispered, "Already claimed mine."

That made me blush, and Kylie let out a dramatic gag. "Okay, we get it, you're in love. Save it for your next beachy Instagram caption."

Jason shook his head. "I'm never looking at a towel the same way again."

---

Travis smirked, clearly enjoying how flustered I was getting. "I'm just saying-your Instagram would kill with the whole 'supermom on vacation' vibe."

I gave him a look. "Are you calling me a content opportunity?"

He shrugged, clearly unbothered. "I'm calling you hot, in case that wasn't obvious."

Kylie snorted. "You two need a reality show."

"Only if you narrate it," I shot back.

"Deal," she grinned.

Jason shook his head again, pretending to regret coming on this trip. "All I wanted was a peaceful vacation and now I'm surrounded by thirst and sass."

"Welcome to the family," Travis muttered under his breath with a grin.