Page 61 of The Housemaid Is Watching

He rests his book down on his lap. “Doyouwant to go swimming, Millie?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

Jonathan looks at me blankly. Does he really not care at all how much Suzette bosses him around? I’d like to think that Enzo and I are equal partners in all our decision making, but from what I’ve noticed, it seems like Suzette is making every important decision in the Lowell household.

Then again, Enzo did take $1,000 out of our joint bank account without telling me. But he’s already put the money back. I’m sure he was telling the truth that it was for equipment for his business. Like, ninety-nine percent sure.

The clear blue water is glistening under the sun. Both my kids are strong swimmers like Enzo—he used to take them to the YMCA when they were little, and he taught them both to swim before they could walk. I take stock of both of their dark headsbobbing in the water. Ada is near Enzo, and then Nico is a bit away from them and he’s…

Huh. Why does it look like he’s talking to Suzette?

What could Nico possibly have to say to Suzette? It seems strange, especially after that seething look he gave her earlier. I wish I knew what they were talking about, but I’m not anywhere close to being in earshot.

“Anyway,” Jonathan is saying, “we’re not leaving any time soon. I can swim later. This sunscreen will last for hours. Days, actually, if I needed it to.”

I manage to tear my gaze away from the water. “Does it really?”

“Oh yes, it’s great stuff.” He digs into Suzette’s tote and pulls out the tube. “Do you want some?”

“Sure,” I say.

Jonathan hands it over to me. He doesn’t try to rub it into my back and shoulders, which is very appropriate, given he’s not my boyfriend or husband. It looks like a pretty ordinary tube of sunscreen, although I have to admit, it smells nice.

I’m about to squeeze some of this magical sunscreen onto my palm when I get interrupted by a sound coming from the direction of the ocean.

Someone is screaming.

THIRTY-EIGHT

It all happens so fast. Drowning is quick.

There is a huge commotion out in the ocean, but I can’t see much. I leap to my feet, and Jonathan does the same next to me. Whatever is happening is happening right where I saw my children swimming just a short time ago. The lifeguard has climbed down from his perch and is running for the shore, but it turns out he’s too late.

Enzo is already coming out of the water holding her.

Suzette turns out to be the person who was almost drowning. She’s clinging to Enzo’s neck as he heroically carries her out of the water. She is still conscious, although her face is pink and she’s coughing. As much as I would like to accuse her of fake drowning, she looks like she’s in real distress.

Enzo lays her down on the sand and gets on his knees beside her. The lifeguard crouches next to her too, but Suzette’s attention is solely on my husband.

“You okay?” Enzo asks her.

“Yes,” she gasps, then starts coughing again. “That was just… It was so scary. I’m okay though.” She reaches for my husband’s hand. “Thank you. Thank you for saving me. You’re my hero.”

Oh, brother.

I look over at Jonathan, who does not seem the slightest bit bothered that an incredibly sexy Italian man is hovering over his wife, and she is pretty much drooling over him. Or maybe the drooling is from the near drowning.

“You sure you’re okay, miss?” the lifeguard asks her.

“I’m fine.” She manages to prop herself up on her elbows. “It just felt like my leg got tangled in something, and it was pulling me under. It was… terrifying.”

“Maybe some seaweed,” the lifeguard suggests.

“Yes,” Suzette says, although she doesn’t look convinced. I agree that it’s not clear how seaweed could pull someone under the water, but I’m not sure what another explanation could be.

Ada and Nico have come out of the water, looking decidedly shaken by the incident. Ada is hugging herself, and Nico has planted himself at the shore, about ten feet away from us, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Suzette, dear,” Jonathan says, “I think it would be best if we got you home.”