“Ashamed?” Lance said gently, carefully.
“Yeah. That’s the word,” Tanner acknowledged with a twisted smile.
Lance nodded and looked thoughtful. For a few minutes, the only sounds were the rumble of the engine and soft snores from the back seat.
“By the way, my sister thinks you’re some old high school buddy of mine.” Tanner thought it best to warn him of what was ahead when they dropped off the kids.
“Right—just so you know, I’m a terrible actor,” Lance admitted with a wry grimace.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. No need to lie. I just don’t want you to be surprised if she starts interrogating you. She’s Ms. Nosey Parker. With me, anyway.”
“You know—” Lance began, hesitating for a second. “I haven’t made a friend in a long-damned time either,” Lance said, as though reading his mind. He gave his shoulder a quick fist bump and said, “I’m glad you invited me to the park today, T.”
And Tanner didn’t doubt him at all.
By the time they got to Cameron’s house, the workers were done and gone, and she was hanging out in the backyard with a glass of wine. Tanner and Lance helped the girls get out of their car seats, and they ran to show her their new toys.
“Hey,” Cameron said and gave him a big hug. “Thanks again for this.” Tanner gave her a quick nod.
“Had a good time at the spa?”
“It was perfect!” Then her gaze moved from Tanner to Lance as he strolled towards them, a car seat under each arm. Tanner snickered as he noted her open curiosity and admiration. After all, Lance was quite the looker with his bright blue eyes, warm smile, and flexing biceps. Even Tanner could admit to that.
“Cameron, this is Lance. He’s the poor guy I chose to help play zookeeper for the monsters all day,” Tanner said by way of introduction.
“He’s exaggerating. They were great,” Lance said with a rueful smile.
“Please, I gave birth to ‘em. I know exactly how they get!” She glanced between them inquiringly.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember you from high school.” Tanner guessed that Cameron was confused only because she couldn’t figure out how she could have possibly missed seeing him in the school hallways and hitting on him.
“That’s because we didn’t go to high school together. I met Lance last weekend. He’s a good guy, so I gave him a call.” Tanner played it off very casually.
“That’s—” she looked between them for a second, obviously surprised. “It was good of you to help on such short notice. Thank you very much. I owe you big time,” she told Lance.
“You’re welcome. I had fun,” he answered, with a warm smile.
“Well, I don’t want to hold you up. I’ll see you around?” She gave Tanner a hopeful look. He nodded and leaned down to give her a big hug.
“I sent you dinner money by Venmo this afternoon,” she whispered while they were hugging. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered thanks before stepping back.
Tanner and Lance waved goodbye as they backed out of the driveway.
“I think I owe you dinner,” Tanner said, right before giving in to a jaw-breaking yawn. The sun was dropping below the horizon, and the excitement of the day had taken its toll.
“How about getting takeout and hanging out on my magically awesome couch instead? I must be getting old. I’m dead on my feet right now, and it’s not even dark yet.”
Tanner chuckled and nodded in agreement.
“We can swing by your place to get you some clothes if you want,” Lance offered. He’d grabbed his phone and was swiping through his apps looking for takeout options.
“I’m not sleeping on your couch again,” Tanner said resolutely.
“Oh, yes you are,” Lance responded firmly.
“No, I’m not,” Tanner corrected. “Like I said yesterday—”
But Lance jumped in with both feet and shut him down.
