“So, about this girl,” Linc says.
I hang the keys to the tow truck on the hook by the door. “I believe we were talking shop.”
Lincoln follows me like a puppy. “Who is she? And why is she living in your house?”
A text comes through, and I hold up my phone then swipe the keys off the hook where I just placed them. “Duty calls.”
I got out of the conversation.This time.But that doesn’t mean I don’t spend the rest of the day having one inside my own head. Because that’s where she is, morning, noon, and night, as apparently the mysterious, gorgeous brunette has taken up residence there.
~ ~ ~
Christian looks back at me, his head inside the refrigerator. “Two burgers or four?”
“Two.”
“You sure?”
“I ran into Kenna and Amelia in the yard when I pulled up. They’re eating downstairs.”
I don’t mean to sound so fucking pathetic, and my intuitive kid totally picks up on it.
He pulls out the meat and puts it on the counter. “Okay, Dad. I have to ask. What’s going on with you and Kenna? I mean, you like her, right?”
“It’s complicated, son.”
“Because they’re leaving after you fix their car?”
“Something like that.”
“Still, if you like her, you should tell her. Because maybe she doesn’t know you like her, and that might change things.”
I open a beer, take a drink, and set it aside to start making hamburger patties. “I’m pretty sure she knows. And I’m pretty sure it doesn’t matter.”
“Well, it should. And I can tell she likes you. Bug can too. Yesterday at the pool, Kenna couldn’t keep her eyes off you.”
“She was watching Amelia, not me.”
He laughs. “Dad, I know I’m only a teenager and all, but I think I can tell the difference in how someone looks at their kid versus someone they want to, um…”
I look up, amused. “Someone they want to what?”
He shrugs. “Date?”
I chuckle slightly at his diplomatic choice of words.
“As long as we’re talking about how people look at each other, how about we discuss how you’ve been looking at Bug? Because I have eyes too, you know.”
“Way to turn the conversation around.”
I stop what I’m doing and lean against the counter. “Seriously, Christian. It’s been a while since we’ve talked about this. I know you say you’re just friends, but everyone can see it’s more than that. Is there anything you want to ask me? Tell me? Confide in me?”
He gets French fries from the freezer. “I think I’m good.”
“You’d better be. Because Asher will have both our asses if this goes sideways.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Dad.”
“Son, it’s a fundamental right of every parent to worry about their kids.”
