“Obviously we couldn’t have a guys’ day if the girls didn’t have a girls’ day,” he went on. “So, Harlow and Maisie are planning on having Annabeth do a whole day with them. They’re going to have a spa day, go to lunch, and when they come back here, they’ll all meet up and have dinner together. We’re making it sound like they’re getting a break from you and Lexi.”
It took a moment for him to realize exactly what Slater was saying.
“Wait, so…then Lexi and I will have an entire day to ourselves?”
“Exactly. So if you want to go somewhere, great. Or if you’d like a room up on a high floor so you can’t see or hear anyone and we can’t hear you, that can be arranged too.”
As much as he’d love to take Lexi somewhere, he knew she was going to be anxious about being away from Jonah. “And you talked to Lexi about this already?”
“I did. She’s on board with it if you are.”
“And did you mention the room here or us going somewhere?”
“Nope. That seemed a little too personal. She’s in her office. I’m willing to hang out here and monitor the kitchen for about ten minutes so you can go talk to her. But just know…I’m going to eat while I’m here and not clean up after myself, so…”
Without thinking, he walked over and hugged his friend enthusiastically. “Thank you! And eat whatever you want! I’ll be back in ten minutes!” Then he ran out of the kitchen, across the dining room and lobby, and down the hall to Lexi’s office. He nearly tripped over his own two feet in his haste to get to her. When he all but stumbled into the room, he was met with wide-eyed amusement.
“Either the place is on fire or Slater told you about the plan for tomorrow,” she said with a sweet smile.
Breathless, he asked, “How could you be so calm about it? We’ll have an entire day to ourselves. No kids. No work. No interruptions. It’s practically a miracle.”
Standing, Lexi walked around her desk and came to stand in front of him, resting her hand on his chest. Big brown eyes looked up at him seductively, and he inwardly groaned.
“What do you think we should do with all that free time?” she asked.
“There’s no place near Harbortown that’s good enough. If we ever get an entire weekend to ourselves, I promise to take you someplace fabulous,” he murmured against her lips and then kissed her because he simply had to. “So I’m thinking we take a suite up on the top floor, far away from everything going on down here. I’ll prepare us a gourmet basket of everything we might want, but I’m open to requests.” Another kiss. “And then we spend the day locked away in our own little world. What do you think?”
She smiled, caressing his jaw. “I think that sounds perfect.”
“Good.” As much as he wanted to linger, he had far too much to do. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “I need to go and figure out how to make thirty concession stand meals for tonight.”
She looked a bit remorseful. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I mentioned it to Slater, and it just snowballed. I didn’t think he’d want to do it tonight, but when everyone else heard, it took on a life of its own.”
“I get it, but my day just got crazier than usual, so…I’ll see you tonight at the movie.” Leaning in, he kissed her thoroughly.
When he pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, and she looked a little dazed. “Tonight.”
“And then all day tomorrow.”
Turning, he sprinted out the door and back to the kitchen. Now he had the motivation to get everything done, because the sooner he did, the sooner tomorrow would be here.
And then Lexi would be his again.
“I remember when this used to be the perfect distraction so we could make out without our parents seeing us,” Slater commented when they were all getting set up for the movie.
“True. But I know Annabeth will never do anything like that,” Connor replied as he put the final touches on their concession stand.
“Pfft…sure she won’t. Right now, she’s only eight, but at sixteen it’s going to be a completely different story.”
“Why are you trying to provoke me right now?” he asked wearily. “I managed to pull together all the food and snacks for tonight, and you’re actively trying to put me in a bad mood?”
“Dude, you’ve been in a bad mood for like…two weeks. Talking about teenagers and the things they do behind their parents’ backs isn’t the issue. You’re going to be pissy until you and Lexi finally have some uninterrupted time alone tomorrow.”
“No arguments there,” he mumbled.
People were arriving, and he couldn’t help but smile when he spotted his daughter walking with Lexi and Jonah. Whatever they were talking about had them all laughing, and it did his heart good.
That could be our family…
