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“We can do some sightseeing and shopping and meet back up in say, an hour?” Macy suggested.

“That works for me.” Holding out my hand to Owen, I said, “Let’s eat.”

CHAPTER FIVE: MINA

OH MY GOD.

Not only was the hot guy from before Owen’s dad, but he was single. You can’t imagine the complete and total mind-fuck it was when I realized the chick I’d thought he was with was just a friend’s wife.

And we SPARKED.

I’m not talking about just vibing. I’m talking about a literal spark when we shook hands.

Now on shaky legs, I led them inside the restaurant. Rory glanced up from rearranging menus. At the sight of me with Gavin and Owen, her eyes bulged out of her head, and she jumped in surprise so hard the menus all went fluttering to the floor.

I rushed forward and knelt down to help her. “What are you doing with him?” she hissed.

“We met outside when I helped find his son.”

“You don’t know who that is?”

Glancing over my shoulder at Gavin, I searched his face for recognition. “Should I?”

Rory rolled her eyes. “You would if you were a hockey fan.”

I gasped. “He’s a hockey player? Like professionally?”

“Yeah, I am,” Gavin said as he knelt beside us.

Now it was my turn to jump and send menus flying. As they fluttered around us, I threw a sheepish look at him. “Sorry I didn’t recognize you.”

Gavin grinned. “I take it you’re not a hockey fan.”

With a rueful smile, I replied, “Guilty.”

Rory waved awkwardly at Gavin. “I’m the hockey fan in the family.” Giving him a goofy grin, she replied, “I love the Heat.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Owen stomped his foot. “Daddy I wants to eats wif Ozzy!”

Nodding, Gavin grabbed a bunch of menus and rose to his feet. Rory and I followed suit and collected the remaining ones before standing up.

Cocking her brows at me, Rory countered, “Since when has Ozzy been allowed to dine with guests?”

Heat rose in my cheeks at her calling me out. “They’re eating on the terrace.”

“And once again, since when does that happen?”

I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of saying never. As the restaurant mascot, Ozzy was often on the property. He greeted visitors outside as well as in the lobby. Obviously, he wasn’t allowed in the main dining areas because of health code violations. Since it was outdoors, the verandah gave me some leeway.

I didn’t want to think about the fact I barely knew Gavin, yet I was willing to throw caution and restaurant regulations to the wind. Sure, I’d initially been very sexually attracted to him. But after seeing his love for his son, I’d become quite smitten. Like forget a down-and-dirty fuckfest–I could see a future with this man.

And yes, I realized how insane that sounded. I’d just met the guy. He could be a serial killer or even worse, a man who wore socks during sex and chewed with his mouth open.

Thankfully, one of the waiters walked up then. Ignoring Rory, I motioned to Owen and Gavin. “Casey, could you show our guests and Ozzy to a table on the terrace?”

Casey blinked at me in surprise. “Ozzy’s going with them?”