Page 12 of A Package Deal

“Does one thirty work?” Nelie asked, sounding resigned.

“It will be fun. Trust me.” Chet grinned like a fool.

Chapter 7

Chetzippeduphisjeans as his phone chimed. He scowled. He should have been dressed by now, and he had no one to blame but himself. He’d earned his extra-long, extra-hot shower by keeping up with guys ten years his junior at the gym today. Chet had finished his strength routine and was on his way to the treadmills when Jackson Wyatt grabbed him to join their pickup game of basketball. Jackson didn’t need to ask twice.

Rumor had it Jackson had played college ball, and Chet took the invitation as a peace offering. He didn’t want to stay on the bad side of Haven’s most influential family, and a man who’d recently been included in Minnesota’s forty under forty watch list. Jackson Wyatt was a newsmaker going places, and it was in Chet’s best interest to keep him close.

“Daddy, can I come in?” Ava asked, as he heard his bedroom door squeak. He kept meaning to oil it, but he was seeing the usefulness of a squeaky warning system. A few minutes earlier he’d stood naked in front of his dresser, grabbing boxers and socks. He didn’t know which worried him most, the close call on scaring them both for life if she’d seen him in his birthday suit, or her calling himDaddy.

“I’m in the closet,” Chet said. Ava peered around the corner, and her nose wrinkled.

“Not that one. The one next to it,” she said, pointing. Chet moved his hand to the brown shirt, away from the fleece-lined one he’d planned to wear. If they were going to traipse around an ice castle for several hours, he intended to stay warm, which was why he also wore a base layer on his lower half.

“Why?” Chet pulled the mid-weight brown shirt from the hanger and dragged his arms through it.

“Because it will make your brown hair browner, and you’ll look more handsome.” He stood in front of his full-length mirror, catching Ava’s reflection. She looked pleased, and his worry-meter inched up.

“And here I thought I always looked good,” Chet teased, as he eyed his reflection. His abs weren’t as defined as they once were, but they were still flat. And when he lifted heavy objects at the gym, he saw his arm and shoulder muscles flex. For a man closer to fifty than forty, he was in good shape. As to his hair? It wasn’t that gray, but if Ava kept it up, he’d be more salt than sand by year’s end.

“Da-ad,” she complained, stringing out the word as only a tween could.

“What’s going on, Ava?”

“You got your hair trimmed.”

“It needed it.” He buttoned the brown shirt, tucking it into his jeans and hoping Ava didn’t glimpse his base layer. Even though it would keep him warm outside, he was sure Ava would deem it uncool, and he didn’t want to fight her on it.

“And you cleaned out the car this morning. Here.” Ava thrust a quarter zip sweater into his hands. It was the wool one his mother had sent him for Christmas, and he hadn’t worn it yet for a reason: wool made his eyes itch.I’ll be itchy, but it will make Ava happy,he thought, as his phone chimed with another reminder.Now we’re really late.

“It needed it,” he said, as he pulled the sweater over his head. Ava kneeled on the bed and straightened his collars. If not for his worry-meter and the way she bit her lower lip, he would have enjoyed her fussing. Chet buckled his watch strap, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “I know that look, kiddo. Spit it out.”

“Well, we like Nelie, too, and I just wanted you to know that if you wanted to make this like a date or something, Piper and I can explore on our own for a while.” Chet sat next to her on the bed and scrubbed his face. There was a lot to unpack in her offer. The girls liked Nelie, which was great, but it wasn’t great that Ava thought she and Piper could wander around on their own, despite it being a family-friendly event. Even those attracted creepers, the worst ones, in his opinion. And Ava sensed he had feelings for Nelie, but it sounded like she thought he had no game and he needed her help. He wanted to be honest with Ava but not burden her.

“For now, Nelie and I are friends.”

“But that could change, right?” Ava’s voice sounded hopeful and her eyes twinkled. “And I know you like her. And she’s looked at you the same way you look at her when you think no one is looking.”Oh, boy. Chet fiddled with his cuffs, tugging at the shirt sleeve so the wool sweater wouldn’t touch his skin.

“Good observation skills. Maybe you should be a scientist or a spy?” Chet wanted to set a good example for her by talking about his feelings. After all, sooner than he wanted, Ava would be the one dating or hoping to date. Or trying for a second chance. But he didn’t want to put Nelie in an awkward position or have his daughters champion his cause. Because nothing screamed,I’ve got no gamelike a middle-aged man whose daughters plotted his love life.

“Da-ad.”

“It’s a one syllable word, Ava, stop dragging it out.”

She huffed. Long and loud. “Fine. But think about it. Nelie’s nice. Mom found someone, you should, too.” The concern in her voice reassured him. Ava might dabble in being a tween queen, but her intentions were good. She wanted him to be happy and he couldn’t argue with that.

“Got it.” Chet patted her leg and dropped a kiss on her head. “I need to finish getting ready. Can you check on Piper? We don’t want to be late.”

“I know. Late is rude,” Ava said over her shoulder, and he swore he heard her eye-roll. He rubbed his face, wondering if this was what the next ten years would be like. Running defense was exhausting. At least when he’d been married, they’d had one-on-one coverage. But he’d rather play defense than repeat his marriage. Ava and Piper were the best things to come out of it.

He should shave, but Nelie had once let it slip that she didn’t care for beards, but she thought scruff was sexy.Wonder how she feels about some gray in the scruff?Maybe I should shave? Shit, maybe Ava’s right and I don’t have game?He stared at his reflection, feeling decrepit and like an acne-ridden, insecure teen heading out for his first date. His watch vibrated with his third and final alarm.Maybe you should quit worrying and go.

As Chet pocketed his keys, he wondered if Nelie thought she was waiting for her date or for a pickup to a family event. He wanted it to be the first, but he’d survive if it was the last. He had time and patience on his side. And Ava’s and Piper’s blessings.

Chapter 8

“Where’stheicecastle?”Piper asked, dropping Chet’s hand and turning in a circle.

---