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Sawyer chuckled. “Sounds romantic to me.”
“Try that on your next date and let me know how it goes.” On second thought, please don’t. I didn’t need to hear any tonsil hockey stories between him and Miss Sunshine.
“So, let me clarify, if you know the guy well and you’re attracted to him, tongue is totally appropriate for a first kiss?”
“That sounds about right, unless he’s Jude Law. He can French kiss me any day without introduction or delay.”
Sawyer narrowed his eyes. “He’s getting so old.”
“He’s refining with age. Speaking of Jude Law, do you want to watch The Holiday later?” Crap! That invitation slipped out before I remembered I should be trying to be prevent fungal heart. It was just so easy to want to be around Sawyer. Plus, he always brought my favorite caramel popcorn with him. And he always had a tissue ready to go for when I cried during the scene where Jude Law tells Cameron Diaz he loves her. Maybe that’s what I should do. Swap houses with someone in England for a week and pray they had an amazing brother I wasn’t related to who comes to visit and wants to make out with me passionately, sight unseen. I would definitely be amenable to tongue in that scenario.
Sawyer shook his head at me, amused. “Sure.”
“First, I need to finish kicking your butt.”
He waved his arm out for me to proceed. I was about to until an unfamiliar voice said, “Sawyer.”
Both Sawyer and I turned to see a man and a woman standing pensively by the chairs in our lane. The handsome gray-haired man looked so familiar to me, but I couldn’t place him. The younger woman next to him, gripping his hand was probably in her mid-forties with long, blonde hair. They were an attractive couple, whoever they were.
“Dad.” Sawyer’s hand clenched until his knuckles were white.
What? I dropped the dumb ball, barely missing my toe. Sawyer jumped into action and swooped up the ball before placing it back in the ball return for me. I could feel Sawyer’s body shake next to me. Without thinking, I took his hand. Never once had I initiated such contact, but it seemed so natural. For me, our hands were meant for each other. He accepted my hand without a second thought, squeezing it.
“Are you okay,” I whispered.
He said nothing, but continued to stare at his father. The familiarity I had recognized in him became obvious. Sawyer looked so much like his father, from the curl in his hair to his build. They even shared the unusual amber eyes. Sawyer was going to be a babe in his late fifties.
Mr. King braved moving toward us. The woman he was with continued to cling to him and followed alongside him. I recognized pleading in the unknown woman’s eyes, like she was asking Sawyer to please not turn them away. The closer they got, the tighter Sawyer’s grip on my hand became.
“Son, it’s good to see you,” a nervous Mr. King stuttered. “Who’s this lovely young lady with you?”
Sawyer continued to stare hard at his father while pins and balls collided around us. I had a feeling Sawyer’s insides were doing the same thing.
I wasn’t sure what to do, but I hated the awkward silence. “I’m Emma Loveless.” I held out my free hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Sawyer whipped his head toward me with eyes agape as if he couldn’t believe I was fraternizing with the enemy. His dad looked so kind and his physical appearance reminded me so much of Sawyer’s it was hard not to be polite.
Mr. King gratefully took my hand and shook it. “The pleasure is all mine. I’m Warren, by the way.” His wide smile looked exactly like Sawyer’s toothy grin. It made me smile. Warren looked at the woman near his side. “This is Bridget.”
Sawyer’s grip reached vice-like levels. Was this the woman? Sawyer had never mentioned a name or whether his dad was still with her. She looked so nice. So opposite Stepmommy Dearest. She was pretty, but she wasn’t stunning like Josephine. Bridget was more naturally beautiful. No collagen or fillers. She even had a muffin top. This was my kind of woman.
Bridget held out her small, semi-rough hand. I noticed some dirt under her fingernails. I was liking her more and more. That was, unless she was the man stealer and the reason why my dad was now married to Sawyer’s mom.
I took her hand, giving her the benefit of the doubt.
“It’s nice to meet you, Emma.” She dared to catch Sawyer’s gaze. “It’s nice to see you again, Sawyer. It’s been too long.”
Sawyer scoffed.
“I’ve missed you, son.” Warren held his breath, waiting to be lambasted for his remark.
Sawyer said nothing, but stared coldly at them.
“What brings you here tonight?” I couldn’t help but try and make the situation more comfortable. But seriously, what a dumb question. Why else do you go to a bowling alley? Believe me, the snack bar wasn’t worth the trip.
