Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 91065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Easy there, little spider monkey. Let’s have ice cream first before we take a road trip—then we can hijack all your mom’s plans to keep me in the friend zone.”
I relax, sighing back into the leather of the booth. “Dex and I will talk privately about whether or not we’re going to see each other again—and if you’ll be invited. Young lady.”
I stress the word privately, and we all grin when the server brings over our ice cream. He sets the bowls in the center of the table and stands at the foot of it, staring down at Dex.
“You’re Dex Lansing.”
Dex’s grin is wide and friendly. “Sure am.”
He looks humble, which surprises me. I kind of expected that the first time I’d see someone approaching him in public—the signing did not count, IMO—he would say something cocky like “The one and only!” But he doesn’t. He seems modest and chill and at ease.
Which is great, because when the teenager opens his mouth, all that comes out is an awkward “Um.”
He is speechless—a total fan.
“What’s your name?” he asks the teen, making him stammer even more.
“Dude.”
“Your parents named you Dude?” Wyatt pulls a face. “That is so weird.”
“Wyatt.” My tone is a warning.
“Gavin,” the teen finally says, eking out an “I’m Gavin.”
Dex holds out his palm to give the kid’s hand a shake. “Good to meet you, my man.”
Eventually the server goes back to the serving counter, and we’re able to dig into our treats, Wyatt waving her spoon around. “Anyway, all I’m saying is, I think the two of you have great chemistry—and this date was fun.”
“When did you say that?” Because she did in fact say nothing of the sort.
Dex tilts his head, amused, stealing the cherry from the top of our sundae and popping it in his mouth. “How old are you again?”
“Ten. I thought you knew that.”
“Well, you sound forty.”
My daughter giggles, loving the compliment.
“I feel forty,” Wyatt announces, spoon buried in her ice cream.
“Being a grown-up can be pretty dull sometimes. Enjoy your youth while it lasts.” I pause, thinking about my stance on rock climbing. “Tonight was actually a lot of fun.”
Dex takes a bite of our sundae and nods thoughtfully. He swallows. “Except those harnesses. I could have done without those pinching my nads.”
“Facts.” My daughter nods sagely, as if it were the kind of statement she’s used to.
Trying my best not to correct him—he’s a grown man, I do not need to scold him for using the word nads in front of my kid—I create the perfect bite: ice cream, chocolate, whipped cream, nuts.
Taste it and moan. “Yum. So good.”
As we finish our treats, the sun sets outside, casting a warm glow through the parlor’s windows. Wyatt’s energy starts to wane, and she leans against me, letting out a big yawn.
“Tired, kiddo?” I ask softly.
She nods. “Yeah, kind of. But I had tons of fun.”
I smile, then press a kiss to the top of her head. “I did too.”
Dex stands, stretching, and gathers up our empty containers. “We should get you home, Wyatt. You’ve got school tomorrow.”
He sounds so responsible.
“Yeah. And I have to take a shower before bed.” She holds up her hands. “My palms are still covered in chalk.”
Chapter 24
Dex:
So. What did you think?
Margot:
About . . . ??
Dex:
Uh—our date tonight?
Margot:
Aka, hanging out with you?
Dex:
Yeah, hanging out with me. Final thoughts and go.
Margot:
LOL and go?
Dex:
. . . waiting on pins and needles for your assessment.
Margot:
I’m shocked that you care this much LOL. It was fun—wayyyy better than I was expecting.
Dex:
Welp, That’S a backhanded compliment if I’ve ever heard one.
Margot:
No! I didn’t mean it that way! I mean, not on purpose hahahahah
Margot:
I just didn’t know what to expect, that’s all. It was good!!!
Dex:
So what I hear you saying is that the date exceeded your expectations . . . What was your favorite part of the evening, besides my nuts in a vise?
Margot:
Mostly your nuts in a vise. LOL
Dex:
Ouch that hurt, and also, it actually did hurt. My balls were KILLLING me softly. Or not softly. Like hell.
Margot:
LOL omg stop. You keep mentioning your junk. I personally did not have that problem.
Dex:
Would you mention it though if you had?
Margot:
Okay, fine. I was struggling a bit—my pants were up my butt. Happy Now?!?!?
Dex:
Indeed. Now you’re on my level.
Margot:
The good news is I forgot to be nervous.
Dex:
You don’t seem like the type who gets nervous about anything.
Margot:
False. Getting to know someone is daunting, you know? Wrangling kids is easy. Wrangling You, not so much . . .
Dex:
I can relate. Running a football I could do all day, every day. But making time for a relationship is, like, a full-time job.
Margot:
How so?
Dex:
Cuz. I have to give it more thought. I’m on autopilot with football, been doing it so long I could do it in my sleep.
Margot:
Fair enough. Is it hard sometimes to have people only see that one side of you??