Page 42 of Dating the DILF
“What,” she snips.
“Are you excited for your birthday party next week?”
“Yes!” She squeals, bouncing on Charlie’s lap. “But it’s my birthday on Wednesday so you can give me my present then, okay?”
“Whatever you say.” He laughs.
“Charlotte, will you be joining us for the party?” Thomas’ clipped voice cuts through the din.
“Uh, yes.” She looks to me for reassurance. “I hope that’s okay with everyone. I don’t want to intrude.”
A chorus of denials bounce around the room from Dad, Grayson, and myself, and I shoot Thomas a dirty look.
“Of course she’s coming. She’s my girlfriend.”
He shakes his head ruefully, turning back to his dessert.
“I’m getting a Barbie Dreamhouse,” Lulu declares, her voice ringing with excitement, she brings everyone’s attention back to her.
“Maybe. If you behave yourself for the next four days.” I snatch her last bite of cannoli and pop it in my mouth.
“Daddy!” She growls.
“You gotta be quicker, kid.” I lean down and blow a raspberry on her cheek, delighting in her giggles. When I straighten, I find Charlie’s eyes locked on me, lit with a heady combination of amusement and desire.
“Are you having fun?” I whisper.
“Yes. I think they like me.” Her voice, also a whisper, is full of optimism. I wish I could make her understand how much more it is than simplylike. Dad and Grayson are already prepared to walk through fire for her for no other reason than she makes Lulu and me happy.
“I think so too. They probably could have done without the twenty-minute explanation of the differences between corporate and business law, but other than that, you’re doing swell.” I tug a lock of her hair, savoring the flush that sweeps across her cheeks.
“God, that was bad, wasn’t it?” She buries her face in Lulu’s hair, drawing a giggle from her.
“They love you, relax.”
“Jeez, pluck a duck, we love you.” Lulu reaches up, wrapping her arms around Charlie’s neck and drags her down to place a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
Watching the two of them together, blood starts rushing to my head and my right arm starts to feel numb. I’m torn between wondering if this is a stroke and wanting to agree with Lulu and tell Charlie just how much I love her.
Instead, I turn to Gray and pierce him with my most severe glare. “Stop teaching my kid coded swear words.”
“No idea what you’re talking about.” He starts licking cream from his fingers. “Hey, Charlie, I need you to give Adelaide a message for me.”
“I am not getting involved in that mess.” She shakes her head, but her lips are tilted in a small smirk.
My phone vibrates against my ass, distracting me from Gray’s response, and when I see the name on the screen, I quickly excuse myself and head through the kitchen to the back yard, looking for some privacy.
Stepping out into the ink-black night, I accept the call and put the phone to my ear.
“Harvey.”
“Miles, nice of you to finally take my call.” His words are dripping with derision.
“I didn’t have anything to say to you.”
“And, now?”
“Now, we need to talk.”
