Page 57 of The Sexy Part
“Interesting. Moldy bread is a turnoff.”
He does a double take and then laughs. “Come on, you.”
* * *
I take my place at the table next to Cooper at his invitation. I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through this meal without spontaneously combusting. I can’t help but imagine what we can do to each other after this. I feel like a horny teenager again, except I never did anything about it back then. Now’s my chance.
Here comes the sexy part!
Not yet. Soon.
“How was the planetarium?” Mackenzie asks me and Cooper.
Hailey’s eyes light up. “Oh, you two went together?”
“It was good,” I say casually.
“How was your date with the lawyer?” Cooper asks Mackenzie.
“A lawyer?” Hailey exclaims. “Tell me everything.”
Mackenzie presses her lips together. Cooper just turned Hailey’s attention to her daughter’s love life instead of his. Cooper and I exchange a secret triumphant look. He’s good.
Mackenzie looks to her dad, then back to her mom. “At first I thought he was boring, but then I realized he’s like Dad. Sort of unexciting but not completely boring.”
“I’m not boring or unexciting!” Josh protests.
“Wonderful!” Hailey says. “Your dad is a great guy. I’ve been hoping you’d meet a wonderful man like him.”
Mackenzie tilts her head thoughtfully. “He’s not exactly like Dad. He’s drop-dead gorgeous for one.”
“I’m gorgeous,” Josh says.
Hailey squeezes his arm. “Yes, you are, honey.”
Mackenzie continues, “Honestly, I felt comfortable because he was a calm, grounded person.”
“Dad’s my rock,” Hailey says. “This is great news! Do you have a picture?”
“No. I’m not sure if I’m going to see him again.”
Josh huffs. “I am not a rock. Rocks are boring. I’ve led an exciting life. I used to jump out of airplanes in the Army.”
Cooper sends me a conspiratorial look that says, isn’t my family nutty? I grin.
Mackenzie sighs. “We know, Dad. You were a paratrooper.”
He slaps his hand on the table. “I could jump out of an airplane right now. I’ve still got it.”
Hailey smiles at him. “Nobody said you didn’t, my warrior beast.”
He huffs. “Lawyers are boring.”
“What kind of lawyer is he?” Hailey asks Mackenzie.
“I didn’t ask,” Mackenzie says. “He’s into walks in nature and never drinks or smokes.”
“He sounds like someone coached him,” Cooper says. “Like a dating profile. How do you know he’s legit?”
