Page 95 of The Dom with the Clever Tongue

“Paris Hilton?” She shook her head and sighed. “Get a better grasp on what I do before you try to insult me about it.”

Ignoring her, he looked at Scarlet then stuck out his hand. “Hi. You must be Reece’s...”

“Girlfriend,” Reece finished for him. “You can say it.”

He gave Reece a look. “Well I didn’t know what you people are calling it nowadays. Life partner or whatever.”

Scarlet chuckled and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You people?” Reece echoed Max. “You mean, like, the lesbian club?”

“Give your brother a break,” Scarlet said with a smile. “He’s being polite.”

“Hey, pumpkin.” Her dad walked into the living room, making it feel cramped with only four people there.

He was dressed in flannel too, and a baseball cap. Though his skin was tan and overworked, he still didn’t look a day over forty-five. She hoped she would look as good at fifty-five.

With a smile, she walked into his open arms. He kissed her cheek then set her back to look at her.

“You look good, Dad,” she said.

His thick brows furrowed as he looked over her clothing. “Hmm. So do you, pumpkin. You still doing that, uh, fashion stuff, huh?”

She sighed. “Yes. I’ll probably be doing it for a long time.”

Nodding, he turned his attention to Scarlet, who stood awkwardly in front of the door. Reece motioned for her. “This is Scarlet.” When Scarlet reached her, she pulled her up beside her, holding her hand.

“Ted.” He put his hand out to shake.

“Nice to meet you,” Scarlet said, shaking his hand and smiling.

Though she looked at ease, Reece could see small signs of her nerves. Her other hand was trembling a bit and she squeezed it tighter.

“Now where’s my beautiful nephew?” Reece asked.

Lisa came in from the kitchen, bent over while the little guy held her fingers and walked. He was cooing and wobbling and drooling but just as adorable as lasttime she’d seen him.

“He’s so big!” She crouched in front of him. “Hi, Josie!”

Max sighed. “How many times have I told you not to call him that? It sounds like a girl’s name.”

“How else would you shorten Josiah?” She smiled and made crazy faces at him like every completely sane grown-up did.

One smile and he wrapped her around his finger. Just like Zen. She scooped him up into her arms and kissed his chubby cheeks then blew raspberries on them. He giggled.

“I don’t even get a hello?” Lisa said, hands on her hips in mock offense.

Lifting Josiah with her, Reece rose and chuckled. “Sorry.” She gave her sister-in-law a side hug then Josiah squirmed to get to his mommy. “We need to get him together with my goddaughter, Zen.” She turned to Scarlet. “Don’t you think?”

Scarlet smiled and nodded.

Lisa stepped forward. “Hi. I’m the sister-in-law.”

“I’m the girlfriend.”

“Nice to meet you.” They smiled awkwardly at each other then Lisa leaned in and whispered, “I kissed a girl once so... I get it.” She gave an exaggerated wink. Coming from the petite brunette with baby food stains on her shirt made it hard for Reece to keep from bursting out laughing. The sentiment was sweet even if it was a little misguided.

“You’re a member of the club then,” Reece teased.

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