Zoey’s lips part in horror. “But he’s married! And you’re married! And he knows that!”
“I know.” I bulge my eyes at Zoey, trying not to laugh at her indignation. It’s kind of cute. She looks so like Zander right now, it’s freaky. “He’s a complete?—”
“Wankpuffin!” Zoey spits out, truly disgusted by him.
“A what?” I laugh.
Zander chuckles, squeezing my shoulder. “It’s Zoey’s latest insult. I kind of like it.” He nods, then points at her. “As long as you don’t use it on your brothers. That insult is reserved for idiot guys who don’t know how to respect women.”
“Okay, fine.” Zoey rolls her eyes, then winks up at Zander.
Oh, I’m so glad they’ve managed to sort out their shit. I hate it when Zoey’s giving us the silent treatment.
“You know what you should do, Mom?” She steadies herself against a tree as we navigate the final part of the trail. “You should start your own gym or become a personal trainer for women so they don’t have to work with dickheads like Davis.”
My eyebrows rise. “A personal trainer? You think I could do that?”
“Hell yes!” She looks back to smile at me.
“I’m not too old?”
“Hell no!” Zander snatches my hand as soon as we’ve cleared the tree line. “Baby, you’re a MILF. You’re a ten. You’re in your fucking prime.”
“Ew!” Zoey shrieks. “Dad, don’t be gross.”
“What? I was complimenting her.”
“A MILF?” Her face puckers as she sticks out her tongue. “I do not need to hear that.”
Zander snickers. “You don’t know what that means.”
“Yes, I do.”
“What?” Zander’s horrified expression is hilarious. “How do you know what that means?”
“Oh, come on, I wasn’t born under a rock.”
“But… but… you… you’re only… fourteen.” His words trail off on a sigh, and all I can do is laugh and shake my head while Zoey runs around to my other side to wrap her arm around my waist.
Dropping mine across her shoulders, I glance down at her as she assures me, “You’re not too old. That’s the beauty of havingkids when you’re young, I guess.” She swallows and pulls me to a stop. Ignoring the dirt smearing my jacket, she wraps me in a tight hug. “I’m sorry for what I said. You’re not an idiot. You’re smart and kind and the best mom in the world.” She leans back, her regret so sweet, my heart starts to melt. “You can do anything.”
I smile down at her, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “I love you, Zoey.”
“Do you forgive me?”
“Of course,” I laugh, pulling her back against me. “I forgave you before we’d even landed.”
Zoey’s arms wrap around me a little tighter, and l look over at Zander, sharing a smile with him.
He grins at me, resting his hand on my shoulder and telling me without a word that I’m the best thing in his life.
A MILF.
A ten.
His one and only Sparks.
CHAPTER 32
