“What’s grooming?”
“Beauty for men,” I tell Gabby. “You sure about pizza?” I ask Reid, second-guessing him, or perhaps my plans.
“You know it,” he says.
He takes my hand, and I watch Gabby take it all in with the fascination of a fatherless girl who wants a dad. So I give his hand a pump and let go.
Reid walks us to our car and says, “See you in a few.”
On the drive, Gabby talks nonstop about the movie and how she thinks Reese’s misbehaves when we’re not home, and I think,She’d better not.
As soon as we get to Reid’s house, he takes our coats and offers us drinks. I go for a wine—one glass maximum when I’m with Gabby—and she asks for a soda.
Settling into his couch, he flicks on a gas fireplace and asks about pizza toppings.
Gabby singsongs, “Pepperoni.”
I say, “Plain or veggie, and Gabby will eat whatever we have,” giving my grabby-hands kid a glare.
Reid orders one of each—three pizzas for three people, one of which is half our size. I decide there’s no arguing with him, and mentally plan to help wrap the leftovers.
It’s easy hanging out, the fire roaring, our feet in socks. It’s too cozy. I can’t bring myself to consider telling the truth right in this moment.
And then the worst possible thing happens. Lizzie’s mom calls and asks, “Does Gabby want to come for a last-minute sleepover?”
Gabby dances and parades around, saying, “Please!”
Of course, I agree, and we gobble up the newly arrived pizza. Gabby and I both let out belly laughs over Reid donning a new apron that readsCHEAT DAY.
“What does that mean?” Gabby asks, running her finger across the words.
I’d like to do that—of course, not innocently like she does it. To her, I say, “It’s a joke. People who live on diets, you know what I mean?”
Gabby nods. “Yeah, Lizzie’s mom is always on a diet. She drinks Diet Coke all day long.”
“Well, on a cheat day, she’d drink regular Coke. On my cheat day, I don’t cook. I order pizza or Chinese.”
Gabby giggles and pulls a piece of pepperoni off her slice, shoving it in her mouth, cheese dribbling down her chin.
Finally, Reid drives us home so we can grab a bag for Gabby and feed Reese’s, then we leave my car and drive her to Lizzie’s in Reid’s Jeep. The rumor mill will be buzzing later, and my nerves are turning my stomach inside out. Gabby wants a dad, I need to tell Reid the truth, and all I can think about isI’m having a sleepover too!
Reid waits for me while I deposit Gabby at the door, and then we drive away in the night. It’s a cold night in January, yet the car is humid with want and need.
When we get back to Reid’s place, he replenishes our drinks since I’m not going home until morning. He scurries around, turning on the fire and dimming the lights. Music comes on in the background, and I take a moment to take in all that’s Reid’s house. It’s an expensive and well-maintained bachelor pad.
“Have you brought a lot of women back here?” I can’t stop the words as they tumble out of my mouth.
“Jealous?” He eyes me. He’s taken off his flannel shirt and is down to a black T-shirt and jeans, bare feet.
I shake my head.
“Yeah, you are. Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret. I’m a stats geek. At work, we’re most definitely not the cool kids. Those are the guys who teach foreign policy, who smoke cigars and drink brandy while wearing jeans, oxfords, and Ferragamos.”
“Wow, that’s fairly specific.” I raise both eyebrows.
“Well, a few years back, this guy, Spencer, did a number on me.”
“Did he now?”
