Page 27 of Play Dirty

“Daddy!” Emma’s voice brings us back to reality, and I quickly sit up as she runs over to us. “Look, Daddy!” She holds up the biggest stuffed animal I’ve ever seen, and Martin has one that’s identical, just in a different color.

“I think we need to put these in the car,” Canyon says, grinning. He’s holding a third one, apparently for Bradley, and the kids are talking excitedly.

I see Saylor narrow her gaze at me, and I give her a slight shake of my head.

“We definitely need to put these in the car,” Marty says. “So they don’t get lost or dirty, okay?”

The kids all nod happily and he and Canyon head in the opposite direction, stuffed animals in hand.

“What was that?” Saylor asks, sitting beside me.

“Panic attack,” I admit. “In the house of horrors. There was a guy stabbing a woman and throwing her down the stairs.”

“Oh, honey.” She leans over and hugs me.

“Marty pretended I was having a medical emergency and carried me out.”

“Itwasa medical emergency. Mental health counts, you know.”

“Well, he said I was hypoglycemic. It worked like a charm. Now I’m just embarrassed and frustrated.”

“Was he mad?”

“No, not at all. In fact, the opposite.”

“You like him.” Saylor smiles.

“I’m not ready to date again,” I say quickly.

“I think it’s too late. This seems like a date to me. Even if you’re not sleeping together or whatever—you can keep things simple. Casual. He’s not divorced yet and has an ugly custody battle ahead. You’re dealing with your demons. There’s no reason not to let things progress at a crawl.”

She has a point, but it’s more complicated than that.

“Marty seems like the kind of guy who wants a traditional marriage, probably more kids, and I can’t provide either of those things.”

“He has three kids and he’s alreadydonethe traditional marriage thing. I think you should talk to him before you jump to conclusions.”

“I don’t think either of us is thinking about a relationship right now.”

“No?” She smiles as Emma climbs into my lap and starts playing with my braid.

“Stop it,” I warn Saylor, but I can’t help but smile.

Maybe we are dating.

Friendly dating.

Platonic dating.

Is there such a thing?

Can you date and remain just friends?

That’s an oxymoron.

Isn’t it?

“Have you been horizontal with anyone yet?” Saylor asks, probably keeping her wording vague since we have the kids with us.

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