“Come and watch the show,” Tyler said. “I’ll help unpack the groceries once it’s over.”
“Good idea,” Eric said. “I’m exhausted. Need to build up my strength.”
Josie elbowed her husband again. “Shush. I can’t hear.”
“Do you want me to rewind to the start?” Tyler asked.
“Don’t let Eric do it,” Josie said in alarm. “He’ll push the wrong button and we’ll miss the entire show.”
Eric grumbled under his breath, and Tyler bit back his amusement. No way was Eric getting his hands on the remote. Lesson already learned.
Tyler let his mind drift while Eric and Josie caught up with the show. He shifted his weight, sprawling out, only to shift again and fold up his legs.
“What is wrong with you, Tyler?” Josie demanded when a commercial break started.
Eric grinned over the rim of his tea mug. “Easy to see where Katey gets her fidgety nature.”
God, he couldn’t wait any longer. “Josie, I wondered if you and Eric would mind looking after Katey next weekend. I want to go up to Auckland to visit friends.”
Eric and Josie shared a quick glance before making him the center of their attention.
“Of course we’ll look after Katey,” Josie said. “You haven’t visited your friends before.”
Tyler sighed inwardly. He’d known nosy questions would come, and he couldn’t be rude to this couple who’d treated him better than his own parents. “I’ve met someone on the internet. I’m going to meet her and her friends.”
Josie frowned. “But what if she’s spinning you a line?”
“I don’t think so, but meeting her in person will let me know either way,” Tyler said.
“Where are you staying?” Eric asked.
“With a friend of hers,” Tyler said. “The show is starting again.”
Eric and Josie exchanged a concerned look before focusing on the television.
“It’s Nolan,” Josie said. “Good gracious. Look at that girl’s shoes. How does she expect to tramp to the top of Rangitoto in that footwear?”
They watched as she plus a couple of the other girls headed straight for the land train and climbed aboard.
“She’s suitably dressed,” Tyler said, his eyes feasting on Susan. She’d dressed for the day and wore a pair of sturdy boots. She looked just as appealing in her casual jeans, jacket and beanie as she had in her red dress.
The show continued with snatches of conversation, a panoramic view of the city and then the questions started.
“Oh my,” Josie said. “The kissing one wasn’t too bad, but the questions seem to becoming harder and more difficult for the girls to answer.”
Susan appeared on the screen—at long last—and Tyler’s heart beat a little faster.
“She’s my favorite,” Josie said. “But I thought Nolan preferred blondes. Every woman I’ve seen him with has been blonde.”
“The rest of the women look like blondes,” Tyler said.
“I hear your mother is outraged at his selection of women,” Eric said. “I caught up with the gossip at the sale.”
“I haven’t seen her for a long time,” Tyler said, the pain of his mother’s rejection having faded into a dull ache.
“I know she’s your mother, but she’s a judgmental old bat,” Eric said.
“Oh my. Good answer,” Josie said. “Well at least Susan’s question wasn’t too bad.”
