Page 15 of Claim to Fame

“So, hot grandpa, tell us about your lady friend,” Jo prompted as she took over his empty seat at the table and dug into the chips and queso.

“My what now?” Ethan asked, shooting a death glare at Baz and Gavin. He set Julie on her feet and let her toddle across the floor to the ever-growing cache of toys in the corner of his living room.

“Don’t look at me,” Baz said. “I have no interest in talking about your sex life.”

“Was I not supposed to tell Jo?” Kyla asked, looking up at her husband.

“It’s fine,” Gavin assured her. “It’s not like it was a secret.”

“It wasn’t up for discussion, either,” Ethan barked.

“Wait, I thought you went to Boston for some kind of business thing,” Jamie said. “It was a sex thing?”

“Come on. Spill. Ever since these two shacked up, there’s no good gossip in this group anymore,” Jo said, gesturing to Baz and Sabrina with a queso-laden chip. “Rumor has it, you have a sex buddy in Boston.”

“Keep me out of your gossip,” Ethan replied.

“Who is she?” Sabrina asked.

“I wouldn’t mind knowing that myself,” Jamie said, leaning back in his chair.

Ethan glared at him. “No one. Just a friend.”

“Well, which is it? No one, or a friend?” Jo asked, her grin growing wider.

“More importantly, are you going to see her again?” Gavin asked.

“It’s not like that.”

“Her loss. You’re a catch, even if you are a grandpa. And I’m not just saying that because we’re friends. You’re a silver fox in training.” She gestured vaguely at his head. “Not enough silver yet.”

“I’m in hell. I’m in actual hell.”

“I’m here! I’m here!” Tessa said, pushing her way into the living room, a tray of cupcakes balanced in one hand. She set the cupcakes down on top of the scattered game pieces and bent to give Jamie a kiss. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing, princess,” Jamie said.

“Hey, Dad. Welcome back.” Tessa gave Ethan a quick hug. “How was Boston?”

“We were just about to hear all the details,” Jo said with a smirk.

“No, you fucking weren’t,” Ethan said.

Tessa glanced around at their friends. “Is this a sex thing?” she asked, her nose wrinkling. “I can leave.”

“It’s not a—we’re not talking about this!” Ethan said.

“But thereissomething to talk about,” Gavin said.

“More like someone,” Sabrina added.

“Definitely a sex thing,” Jo laughed.

“You are a menace,” Ethan said accusatorily.

“I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” She took another bite of a chip, then got to her feet and gave Tessa a hug. “I gotta run. My shift at the bar starts in twenty minutes.”

“Thanks for watching Julie this afternoon,” Tessa said.

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