Page 18 of Hello Handsome
“Privacy?” I echoed. “You saw my scrotum.”
Fletcher gave me a look. “I also know that you manscape. Which one doesn’t do unless they’re considering it.”
I frowned. “It’s just good hygiene.”
“Uh huh.” He smirked.
I grunted. “Give me the damn cup.”
Once he handed it over, I brought the cup to the bathroom, filling it up. It was then I realized that Fletcher had casually brought up me having sex with someone who wasn’t his mom. And he’d been around to know her the longest.
I brought the cup back, and while he labeled it, I said, “Do I get doctor-patient confidentiality, or is that just for non-family members?”
Fletcher glanced back at me, eyebrows drawn together. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“Earlier, you said you wanted me to be tested if I’m sexually active, like you didn’t have a problem with it… Would you have a problem with it?”
He reached for the hand sanitizer, rubbing it over his palms as he leaned his hips back against the sink counter. “Why would I have a problem with it?”
“Why are you answering questions with questions?” I huffed. Embarrassed. Frustrated. Out of my depths.
Fletcher let out a small chuckle. I noticed a new fine line across his forehead and realized how much older he was getting. In just a few years, he’d be older than Maya ever was. “Man to man, I don’t know how you’ve lasted this long. You should be studied.”
My cheeks flamed hot.
“As your physician, you’re cleared for sexual activities.”
“And as my son?" I asked, the only answer I really cared for.
One corner of his lips lifted. “As your son, I really don’t want to think about you having sex.”
A surprise laugh barked past my lips, and he laughed with me. But soon, I sobered again. “Fletcher, I’m serious. What do you think about it?”
“Dad…” He put a hand on my shoulder. “You’re trying so hard to respect your relationship with Mom and spare our feelings about it that you’re taking your wants and needs out of the equation. All us kids are grown, and if we have issues with what you’re doing, it’s on us to work through, not you, okay?”
I looked down at my scuffed work boots, trying to believe him. I felt like I failed so much as a dad, especially in the first couple years after Maya’s death. I never wanted to disappoint my boys again, no matter the cost.
11
AGGIE
Etta cameover with a bottle of wine, as promised. Things were a little awkward at first since we’d never hung out alone before, but soon we were wearing face masks, drinking wine, and watching her favorite movie—Something’s Gotta Give.
Secretly, I loved watching the older people fall in love on screen. All these years living on my own, I filled my romantic fantasies with movies and audiobooks and watching couples interact at the diner. (And a drawer full of toys.)
It was fun to imagine I could be the main character, living my own happily ever after, even if I was waiting for my kids to graduate to put myself out there.
After all those years of waiting, of seeing couples come into the diner and fall in love, I felt like I could finally be the star of the romance… I had a date withGray Madigannext weekend.
As the show ended, Etta sat back, a smile on her lips. “It never gets old.”
“That’sWhen Harry Met Sallyfor me,” I told her, leaning back against the arm of the couch, my legs crossed in front of me. “Billy Crystal might not be your typical heartthrob, but he was so perfect in that one.”
Etta nodded in agreement. “We should watch it next week.” Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, I shouldn’t invite myself. That was rude.”
I shook my head, smiling at her. “Don’t be sorry. I was about to ask. This was really fun.”
“It’s a date,” she said, reaching for the bottle of wine. Holding the greenish bottle in her hand, she poured some into her glass and then put the rest in mine. “Gotta finish the bottle, right?”
