Page 34 of Irresistible Second Chance

“I remember you from grandad’s party,” TJ said.

“Yeah, that was a good party...lots of cake,” he commented stepping into the living room.

“I love cake,” Johnna said, “We made brownies, want some?”

“I would love some brownies.” They led him to the kitchen and made themselves at home on the stools in front of the island and started chatting him up. I watched from a distance as I searched for water in the fridge.

“Who’s your favorite princess?” I heard TJ ask Chris.

“Cartoon princess or real princess?”

TJ’s eyes grew large, “There are real princesses, no way!”

She sounded like her mom. “No way!” was her mom’s favorite expression.

“Yep, there are princesses all over the world.”

“And let me guess...you’ve met your share,” I said, filling up our cups with water.

He shrugged, “One or two...but don’t worry, none as pretty as you.” He smiled at me teasingly.

The girls started giggling. “Oh my gosh, he thinks you’re pretty!” TJ squealed, and I couldn’t help but blush.

“Girls,” I said, “I think I have some dolls in my closet that you all left here. Why don’t you guys go see?”

They went running in the direction of my bedroom, now distracted. That’s exactly what I needed. I turned immediately to Chris and said, “Let me guess. You didn’t check your texts.”

He looked at me confused, “I never got a text from you.”

I frowned, “I sent you the text a while ago.” I pulled out my phone and started going through my texts, “See?!”

He looked at my phone and said, “You mean that text that says draft.”

I looked at it. He was right. I guess I forgot to send it. “Uggh...I’m sorry. They’re distracted so if you want to sneak out, I completely get it.”

He laughed, “And miss out on these brownies,” he took a bite and his eyes widened, “They’re good.”

“And covered in little girl germs.”

“They were baked. Pretty sure any kid germs have been eliminated.”

“Seriously, you don’t have to stick around. Starr had to go on a trip and Dad was watching them, but he needed a break--”

“So, you agreed to take them. That was nice of you.”

I shrugged, “The girls are easily entertained, and Dad deserved a break.”

“And maybe you need one too?”

“What? No, I’m fine. No big deal.”

“You were sleeping at 7pm.”

“What makes you think I was asleep?”

“One side of your hair is flat and there’s a little drool---”

“What?!” I quickly walked to the mirror in my hallway and looked. Yes, my hair was plastered down to one side of my head, but there wasn’t any drool in sight.

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