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“Hey, Jackson, you can call me Lacey if you want.”
“Okay. Bye, Lacey.” He runs off.
“He’s tired. Don’t let the energy fool you; I’ll start the engine, and he’ll be out.”
She nods smiling. “Yeah. Thanks for today, being so nice to Jacob. He’s usually a happy kid, but I haven’t seen him this excited in a while. I hope they weren’t too much trouble for you by yourself.”
“Are you kidding me? Today I’ve become the rock star of dads. All I had to do was ply them with candy and all the hotdogs and soda they could drink. Small price to pay for temporary hearing loss and getting splashed with mud,” I chuckle, pointing to my clothes.
“If you say so.” She looks at me dubiously. “I wasn’t looking forward to monster trucks, to be honest. That’s Shay’s thing. Cars, mud, and guys.” She crinkles her nose.
“I figured.” I smile tilting my chin up behind her, whispering, “She hasn’t changed.”
She laughs. “Not much.”
“I better get going. Jackson’s probably sleeping already.” But I don’t want to go. I could spend the entire night standing here just looking at her.
“Good night, Landon.”
“Good night.” I take a step back, and her hand reaches out, holding my wrist. She steps up, kissing my cheek. She smiles at me, and I’m not sure what to do, but I know I want more. I go on instinct. The click that’s always there between us.
I pull her closer with one hand on the small of her back, hugging her. And there’s the undeniable click. She presses her lips to mine in an innocent kiss, taking me back to our first kiss, the beginning of us.
I can’t help but hope this is our second act, only better, with no regrets and no six-year intermission.
“So when’s the party over?”
“Two hours down. Two to go,” I say to Trigg over the phone.
“Don’t make it sound so bad. You’re in prime hot mom territory. I’m sure they’re just jonesing to take the hot dad home after the kids are sleeping.”
“Nice to know you think I’m hot—”
“You’re welcome on that. I’m confident enough in my sexuality to let you know.”
“Yeah, okay. It’s not a pickup joint. It’s a kids’ party.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Women love a dad that’s all involved and shit. Their panties drop faster than stock in a recession.”
“Not interested.” I run my hand through my hair, sitting on a chair furthest away from the other parents in the room.
“Sure you are. Too bad the only woman you’re interested in isn’t there. You’re stuck with her mother.”
I was hoping I’d get to see Lacey. She had to work, so her mom brought Jacob. “She hasn’t been bad. We saw each other and had a pleasant exchange.”
“If you say so. I’m telling you, I never saw her smile. I told a hilarious joke once about a priest and a nun, and you would have thought I’d dropped an altar in front of her and started worshipping the devil.”
“I don’t know why Shay would attempt to bring you home, other than to drive her mother batshit crazy.” I laugh and hear him doing the same.
“I’m a lovable motherfucker. Give me some time, and I’ll grow on you.”
“Excuse me, Landon?”
“Hey, Mrs. McQueen.” I stand up. “I’ll call you later,” I tell Trigg.
“Sorry to interrupt your call,” she says, mild censure in her tone.
“Wasn’t important. Checking in at The Office.”
