“It feels weird, that’s all.”
“Connor, it would be weird if you went over there and started making out with her or fondling her, but I don’t see you doing either of those things. You’re simply going over and hanging out with your kid, who happens to be hanging out with Lexi and her kid.”
“And Slater,” he murmured.
“There you go. Now we’re getting somewhere.” Pausing, he took a sip of his drink. “Although, they work together. They have stuff to talk about. You have to get over that. He’s not interested in Lexi, and she’s not interested in him.”
“Yeah, logically I know that. But I want to be the guy who can just go and sit with her or talk with her without it being so damn restricted.”
“Again, were you planning on going over and humping her or something?” Laughing, Milo shook his head, but sobered when Connor glared at him. Gently, he cleared his throat. “Okay, so you’re not feeling humorous. Fine. What is it exactly that you’re feeling restricted about?”
“I want to go over and sit with her and be able to…you know…put my arm around her. Hold her hand. Kiss her.” Then he glared again. “Not make out with her, just a kiss on the cheek or something.”
“So why don’t you?”
“Are you crazy? We have kids! We can’t just spring that on them.”
“Why not? Jonah’s too young to really get it, but I’m sure Annabeth will have some questions. And what’s wrong with that? You’re going to have to have that conversation eventually. Even if you and Lexi don’t go the distance, you’re still technically dating. And at some point, you may date someone else. Your daughter should know this so you can tell if she’s okay with it.”
“There isn’t going to be anyone else. Lexi’s it for me. Lexi’s always been it for me.”
“Then why are you standing here talking to me instead of sitting with her and easing the kids into this new dynamic?”
Good question.
Leaning in, Milo added, “If you’re really ready to have the life you want, shouldn’t that start now?”
Wordlessly, he nodded.
“Then what are you waiting for? Go!” He nudged Connor none too lightly, sending him stumbling awkwardly.
Hint taken.
Casually, he made his way across the room and pulled up a chair and sat himself down next to Lexi. Annabeth quickly jumped onto his lap. “Dad! Are you done working?”
Smiling, he kissed the top of her head. “I am. I can finally relax and enjoy the wedding. Are you having a good time?”
She nodded. “I am. And before you ask, all the food was delicious.” Grinning up at him, she added, “But the cupcakes were my favorite. I snuck a second one.”
Laughing softly, he asked, “You did? You know the rule about sweets…”
“Slater did too!” she quickly interrupted, pointing directly at Slater.
And for a moment, Connor felt a little sorry for him because his eyes went wide like he knew he had done something wrong.
“Um…to be fair, I don’t have any rules about sweets,” he explained. “And Jayce assured me there were plenty of cupcakes and we weren’t limited to only one.”
Unable to help himself, he laughed. “Good to know.”
“But…I should maybe think twice when there are all these little spies around to rat me out,” Slater teased, making Annabeth giggle.
“You do whatever you want,” Connor assured him. “And this was a special occasion, so maybe having two cupcakes isn’t so bad.”
Looking up at him again, his daughter smiled. “Thanks, Dad. I tried to sneak an extra one for Jonah, but Lexi said no.”
He glanced at Lexi, who was nodding.
“Well, she didn’t say no in a mean way; she just said that Jonah had already had enough and thanked me for thinking of him.”
