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“I think she’s tired,” I said, trying to be helpful. I hated what Henry had done, and I disliked how he’d acted after the divorce, but for the kids and my own stress levels, I wanted this process to go smoothly more often than not.
He nodded and tried again. “Want to go in with the others? Then I can tell you how we’re going to the zoo to see the penguins tomorrow after we get back from the football game.”
“Pen-gun?” Riley wiggled to get out of my hold at the same time as Avery poked her head out of the door.
“Where’s the puppy?”
Annoyance flickered in Henry’s expression. “He went to live with one of Jenni’s friends. We work shifts too long for a dog.”
I had a feeling that wasn’t the reason. I was sure Jenni had gotten a puppy without asking Henry’s opinion. He wouldn’t like that even if it wasn’t about a dog.
“Oh. Okay.” Avery grabbed Riley’s hand and went inside. “Did you hear? We get to go see the penguins?”
“Thanks for bringing them down.” Henry’s gaze flicked to my vehicle where Holden was scrolling through his phone. A line formed across his brow. “Why’d you bring him?”
It was tempting not to answer, but it would be better to remain cordial. “We had plans tonight. We changed them to Bismarck since I was coming here anyway.”
Henry’s lips pressed together. “So things are getting serious?”
“Things are just things, Henry.” I shrugged. What else could I say? I didn’t know whether Holden and I were considered serious. Dating as an adult in my thirties was new to me. But Henry wouldn’t be the one to talk to about it either.
“He’s good with the kids?”
“Is Jenni?”
His scowl deepened. “She’s fine.” Something about the way he said it gave me pause. There was a hint of defensiveness, and I wasn’t sure what that meant. Jenni was young. She could be ambivalent about the kids. She could genuinely enjoy them, though I didn’t sense that was the case.
Or she could resent that four kids intruded on her time with the surgeon she’d bagged herself.
“Holden hasn’t lost his temper and called them a pill. Did you know about that?”
Henry’s expression darkened and his tone was hot. “I talked to her about that.”
“Thank you.” I’d heard his exchange with Avery, but I couldn’t resist asking. “So, no more puppy?”
He gave me adon’t go therelook. “Jenni wanted him, but it’s not feasible when she works twelve-hour shifts.”
The way he said that wasn’t a surprise. He wouldn’t have helped take care of the puppy. I couldn’t see him walking a dog, much less picking up its poop. He’d need to go to a lot of therapy about why he felt like he couldn’t live up to the Yorkies his parents had at any given point before he’d willingly take care of a dog.
I took a couple of steps toward the garage door. “I’ll have my phone on me if you need anything.”
“I’ll bring them back Sunday.”
That would remain to be seen. He hadn’t spent an entire weekend with them since he’d moved out. But I gave him a smile and a wave, grateful that this handoff went better than last time.
I got back into the car. Holden lifted a questioning brow.
“It went well. He wasn’t a dick, and I didn’t have to see Jenni.”
“You got a twofer there. Where do you want to eat?”
I pulled away from the house. My kids hadn’t fought about being at their dad’s. I didn’t argue with Henry. And I had the entire night to spend with a hot guy that would end in toe-curling sex. My divorced life was finally looking up.
* * *
Holden
I woke up to a round ass pressed into my side. My arm was slung over my face, and I was surrounded by a peaches-and-cream scent.
