Page 26 of One Hot Daddy

"Oh no, dear, don't call me Mrs.Sullivan."She kisses my cheek."Everyone calls me Patty.That includes you, Jennifer."

My cheeks have grown slightly warm."Oh, um, thank you.I appreciate---"

A burly man wearing a wide grin seizes me, strapping his arms around me in a big hug.Fortunately, he pulls away before I suffocate."Aren't you a pretty little thing!Fletcher told us you're amazing with the kids, but he didn't mention how gorgeous you are."

I'm pretty sure my face just flushed completely red."That's very kind of you to say, Mr.Sullivan."

"Call me Bob!"He claps Fletcher on the shoulder."Son, you hit the jackpot with our girl."

Fletcher clears his throat."Right, well, shall we all sit down?I'll put the kettle on."

"I'll help," I offer quickly, desperate to escape the scrutiny of four sets of parental eyes.

The kitchen becomes a refuge.Fletcher busies himself with mugs while I hunt for cookies in the pantry---or biscuits, as Fletcher would say.I hear the kids in the living room regaling their grandparents with wild stories.I've noticed Fletcher likes to spout tall tales too, so it must be a family trait.

"Your parents are terrific," I tell him, trying to fill the awkward silence.

"They are.And Bob and Patty are good people too, despite everything."He pauses, his hand hovering over the teapot."Despite what happened with Claudia, they never blamed me.They still treat the kids like their own grandchildren."

"That's...unusual."I arrange cookies on a plate, trying to make them look fancy or...something."Most in-laws aren't so forgiving when their daughter leaves."

Fletcher's eyes cloud over momentarily."Claudia's choices were her own.Bob and Patty understood that better than anyone.She's their daughter, after all."

I want to ask more questions, but this isn't the time.Instead, I reach for the milk jug, accidentally brushing Fletcher's hand.That same electric current zips through me, and I pull back too quickly, nearly dropping the milk.

Fletcher snags the milk jug, setting it on the counter."Careful there, Jennifer."

"Sorry.It was slippery."

He holds my gaze a beat too long."Very slippery indeed."

The way he spoke those words fired an erotic shiver down my spine, settling between my thighs.

The kettle whistles, breaking the tension.Fletcher turns away to deal with it, but I can still feel the heat radiating between us.Get a grip, Jennifer.You're supposed to be professional.

I know I should behave that way.But the longer I live with Fletcher and his kids, the harder it is to remember that I'm not the woman of the house.

Chapter Thirteen

Fletcher

Once all the hugs are over with, and two sets of grandparents have settled down to sit on the sofa, the children do calm down somewhat.Unfortunately, the settling down only lasts for a few minutes.As long as the grandparents keep talking, everything seems normal and reasonably calm.They want to hear all about what the children did at school today.No one pays attention to me or Jennifer for a blessed but short hiatus.

Then the conversation dwindles.I attempt to fill in the silence, but I'm ruddy awful at casual conversation.So, I fumble around to find something---anything---to say."Would you senior citizens like to go for a walk with us?It's a lovely afternoon.And since this is the weekend---"

Henry jumps up from his chair, waving his hands as if he's directing air traffic."No walks!Not boring walks!We should play cricket!"

I freeze.Cricket?Where did that idea come from?

"Uh, cricket?"Jennifer says.She looks as confused as I am."You want to play with insects?I thought worms were your thing."

I rub my forehead."Since when are you interested in cricket, Henry?"

"Since forever!"His conviction is endearing."Grandpa played it in England, right?He told us all about it.They can teach us!"

"You understand that cricket is a sport, Henry, don't you?"

Mum's eyes widen, and she shoots me a horrified look."Yes, it's an awfully violent sport for children.Don't you think, Fletcher?"