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Jackson relaxes and even laughs. “You’re not wrong. I saw—”
Raising his hand, Wes shakes his head. “I’m going to stop you right there. It’s better if I don’t know.”
Jackson shuts his mouth and nods, once again looking nervous until Wes’s next words calm him down.
“Good game today. We’ll see you fit and healthy at practice on Monday.”
“Thanks, Coach,” Jackson says with a smile. A smile that grows when Wes pats him on the back as he walks out.
As soon as Jackson’s gone, Wes turns his attention to me, a cocky grin in place. “So I got invited to a partyanda sleepover earlier.”
I grimace and cover my face in my hands. Katie was supposed to wait for me before asking about the latter. Wes laughs at my reaction and pulls me into a hug. “I told her I’d love to come. I’ll even bring my favorite stuffed animal.”
Gah! My ovaries.
“Thank you. That was lovely. I’m sure you’ll be very comfortable on the floor under her fort,” I joke. There’s no way I’m letting him stay in my house and not sleep in my bed, after Katie’s asleep of course.
“The floor sounds perfect to me.” He winks. “Can I help with the party at all? It’s not her birthday, right?”
“Her birthday was months ago, but she wanted to wait to have it at Dylan and Summer’s new house, so we’re only now celebrating. And as for help, thank you, but I think we have it covered. Just show up with a smile and I’ll be happy. Oh, and I’m going to have to ask you to keep it there.”
“Keep what there?”
“The smile. Katie wants to invite her dad. I think I’ll just tell him it starts a few hours later than it does. That way he’s not there the entire time. It’s too risky.”
“Why? Do you think I’m going to deck him?”
“I think there will be a line for that, yes.”
Wes huffs out a laugh, mumbling “It would be deserved” under his breath.
“I know, just please behave.”
He smiles at that. “For you, always.” Then bows with a cocky grin.
Why does that not give me confidence?
On the day of the party, Wes arrives at Dylan’s place an hour before it starts in his signature jeans and black tee. I’ve noticed a move toward black from his previous blue wardrobe and have to wonder when that happened. Something for another time. He’s carrying a box on his shoulder, making his bicep bulge from the effort, and my God, it’s hot. I quickly look away so I don’t get busted staring but find I’m not the only one. Delilah and Summer aren’t even trying to hide their appreciation of his form.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Joel announces as he wraps his arms around Delilah’s waist. “He’s smoking hot.”
Summer and I burst out laughing as Delilah nods. “He’s not kidding. He said it a few times last night. I think the term ‘man pretty’was thrown around.”
“Credit where credit’s due,” Joel says with a laugh and a shrug before walking over to help Dylan set up some chairs.
“Joel’s right,” Summer says. “He’s even more dreamy than the last time we saw him and—did he just drop the box midjourney to hug Katie? My God!”
I laugh, but that’s exactly what he did. Whatever’s in the box was quickly discarded to say hello to my little girl, and my heart is thumping because of it.
Wes helps Dylan, Joel, and Logan continue setting up around the yard while I busy myself inside. I’m plating up some snacks when his strong arms wrap around me from behind and he sighs.
“Please tell me we don’t have to be a secret here? You didn’t invite any coworkers, did you?”
He reaches for a chocolate from the bowl in front of me but I slap his hand away.
“None other than Dani, so yes, we can show a little more PDA. But not too much. We’ve still got Katie to consider.”
“Of course.” He presses a kiss to my cheek and heads back outside, stealing two chocolates as he goes.
