“Oh man. I told you I had a blind date that didn’t go well. My dad and sisters tried grilling me.”
“Tried?”
He sighed. “They’re brutal.”
“So, if you don’t mind me asking, what didn’t work?”
He shrugged. “Look, I’m not too proud to say my dating history isn’t the best. I broke up eight months ago with someone I’d been with pretty seriously. It’s been tough for me to get back into dating.” He grimaced. “I hate games.”
She nodded. “Tell me about it. When my ex and I divorced three years ago, I felt like my world had ended. Was I making a mistake taking Emily away from her dad? Did I expect too much? Was I…?” She trailed off, aware she’d totally taken over the conversation. “Sorry. There I go, rambling.”
He smiled. “I’d much rather hear about you.”
“Ha. My house, my rules.”
“Oh, please, now you sound like my dad.”
She laughed. “He sounds like my kind of guy. Come on, Reggie. You’re among friends. Spill. What happened on your date?” She cupped her chin on her palm and blinked up at him.
He tried not to laugh, but she’d perfected her pretty-please-with-puppy-dog-eyes expression years ago. “Fine. You win. But stop batting your lashes at me. You’re making me dizzy.”
She chuckled.
“If you must know…”
“I must.”
“Regina was very nice. Intelligent, pretty, well-mannered.”
Maggie hated her already.
“But…?” she prodded.
“I’m not someone to gossip or speak ill about someone behind their back.”
“Please. I barely know you and I can tell you’re a good guy. But we’re sharing dating horror stories. You have to tell me.”
“Sharing?” He raised a brow. “So you’re going to give me a story if I tell you one?”
“Yep.” She crossed her heart. “Swear.”
“Fine. Regina was grabby.” He blew out a breath. “I admit it. I don’t like being pawed. My father tried giving me advice on dating and romance like I’m sixteen again. As if jazz and dancing will solve all my problems.” He frowned. “Are you laughing at me?”
She coughed. “No, I’m not.” She wasdying.Reggie getting dating advice from his dad? She could just imagine that conversation and Reggie trying to avoid it. “I feel for you. I do. I’ve had the same reaction on many dates.” But she had a tough time envisioning Reggie trying to avoid a human female octopus. And she shouldn’t. Except he was huge and strong and…helpless? She coughed louder, struggling to hold in her amusement.
“Ha. I heard that.” He bit his lip, but she saw his smile.
The oven beeped. “Saved by the casserole.”
“This isn’t over.” He shook a finger at her. “And I thought we were having macaroni and cheese?”
“With hot dogs, in a casserole.” She grabbed an oven mitt and went to remove the pan from the oven, but Reggie beat her to it.
“What are you thinking?” He glared and took the mitt from her hand. “Here. Let me get that.” He expertly retrieved the casserole from the oven and set it on top of the stove. Then he removed the mitt and turned off the oven. “Please don’t tell me you’d have done that if I wasn’t here.”
“I’m pretty strong.” She’d one-armed the thing into the oven, after all.
Reggie looked skyward. “So smart and pretty. And so senseless.”
