Page 55 of Only You

Jack raked a hand through his hair. “Fine. You win.”

Kayla smiled triumphantly. “I’ll keep them company while you get dressed.”

“Why can’t I stay like this?” Jack teased.

Ignoring him, she cut a wide path around him and strode out of the kitchen. Resigned, he followed her into the living room.

“Good news! Jack agreed that we should stay in tonight. Do you two play cards?” Kayla asked his parents.

“We love cards!” Eileen said.

“They’re in the drawer of the end table. I’ll get dressed,” Jack said, trying not to sound as disappointed as he felt. Nobody replied, as they were already discussing which card game to play. Jack went into his bedroom and didn’t bother closing the door. If Kayla came in and saw him naked, so be it. Based on her laughter floating down the hall, she was happily occupied. Dejected, he picked up his phone from atop the dresser and dialed.

Ryan answered on the first ring. “Are you almost ready to go?” he asked.

“There’s been a change in plans,” Jack muttered.

“How come?”

“My parents stopped by, and Kayla invited them to stay and play cards.”

Ryan chuckled. “So your pretend girlfriend put her foot down?”

“So to speak.”

“Knowing your parents, they won’t stay long. You can always come to the bar after they leave.”

“I don’t think Kayla is too keen on going out tonight.”

“Keep me posted,” Ryan said.

“Will do.”

After they hung up, Jack slowly got dressed. He wasn’t in a hurry, since Kayla and his parents seemed to be doing fine without him. Finally, he spritzed on the new cologne from Macy’s that Ryan had convinced him to buy. “It’s supposed to drive women wild,” Ryan had insisted. Jack had instantly thought of Kayla, though the way things were going, the only place he was driving her was further away.

Jack found the three of them playing cards at the kitchen table. Next to Kayla was a half-eaten slice of pumpkin pie.

“Have a seat,” John said.

“I’ll deal you in,” said Kayla.

Jack slid into the chair beside her. “What are we playing?”

“Blackjack,” said Eileen. “Your father is winning as usual.”

“I’m just lucky.” John looped his arm around Eileen’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “In more ways than one.”

Kayla smiled. “You two are so sweet,” she gushed.

The way she looked at them confirmed what Jack already knew. Kayla was a true romantic, through and through.

While Kayla dealt the cards, Jack moved his chair a little closer to hers. She glanced up at him with an unreadable expression. “I feel lucky too.” He hadn’t planned on saying it. The words had just slipped out.

Kayla gave him a brief smile and averted her attention to the cards. They played several hands, conversing easily about a variety of topics. This part of the plan was going great. His parents and Kayla genuinely liked each other, and she seemed relaxed in their presence, the way she used to be with him. Jack wanted that back, but he might have ruined everything by admitting his attraction to her.

Jack was about to deal another hand when John stopped him. “Sorry, kids, but we need to get going.”

Eileen nodded. “It’s been a long day.”