Page 61 of Pucked Up Plans
He arches a brow in disbelief. “Even though we didn’t have sex?”
“Even still. You made me feel so cherished. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way.” Honesty flows out of me around this man like lava from an active volcano.
“It pains me to hear you admit that. However, I’m not sorry I’m the one who gets to show you how you deserve to be treated. Not just in the bedroom.”
“Me too. I’m not sorry it’s you.”
His arms open wide, inviting me to fall into him. And I allow myself a quick hug, breathing in every ounce of his essence, forcing myself away when I begin to feel too comfortable.
He motions me ahead of him, his hand resting on my back as we make our way to the front door. Once inside, he calls out, “Honey, we’re home.”
Footsteps echo from above us, and soon Lennon appears on the stairs, Aubrey lagging.
“Keeley. Finally. Aubrey and me are starving. What the heck took you so long?” Her actions defy the sass she extends Walsh’s way—she jumps into his arms from the bottom step. He doesn’t miss a beat in catching her.
“Boring grown-up stuff. Be thankful you didn’t come.”
Aubrey’s exuberant grin and sparkling eyes greet me as she bubbles with excitement. “Mommy, you’re here! Do we have to leave yet? Because we didn’t have dinner and Mimi made super special biscuits I want to eat.”
Lifting her off the ground, I cuddle her into my chest, breathing in her scent. Besides school, this is the only time she’s been away from me since we moved. As enjoyable as our afternoon was, I missed her. But seeing her this excited tamps down the mom guilt. We were each having our own fun.
“Hey, Bree. Did you have fun?”
“Yep. So fun. So can we stay? Please?” Her wide eyes plead with me to agree.
“How can I turn down super special biscuits? They’re your favorite.”
“Yay!” She covers my face in kisses, prompting giggles from both of us.
“Squirt, you excited about Mimi’s super special biscuits?” Walsh asks.
I turn my head just in time to catch Lennon’s reaction.
“The ones she makes once a week? Oh yeah. Can’t wait.”
Five. Years. Old. And the girl has mastered the art of sarcasm. I’m not sure if I should laugh or cringe.
She wiggles herself out of Walsh’s arms, Aubrey doing the same. They scurry off toward the back of the house.
“How did she learn sarcasm?”
“That would be my tutelage. Megan hates it.”
Remembering what he’s mentioned before, I smirk. “So let me guess. You encourage it more.”
“Bingo.” He boinks my nose. “I know it’s wrong, and it’s inevitable before it bites me in the ass, but damn, it’s hysterical.”
“I should disagree with you, but you’re not wrong. Quite impressive.”
He bows, complete with one arm at his waist, the other behind his back. “Why thank you. For only seventy-five dollars an hour, I could tutor Aubrey. Probably only take a few hours before she fully grasps the concept.” He pauses a moment in concentration. “Scratch that. First, I’ll teach your daughter sarcasm, then I’ll teach you how to give a mind-numbing blow job. Two for one deal.”
Only joking, his words don’t sink in fully right away.
“Just the blow job lessons are necessary. I have a feeling Aubrey won’t completely understand sarcasm until she’s a teenager. If then.”
Despite the fact I have no idea where I’m going, I leave him standing in the front hallway, traipsing to where the girls ran off.
Dinner with the Keeley family is interesting. There’s a fun dynamic between Walsh and his mom. He obviously gets most of his personality from her. Gary, his dad, says little but gives off a calm, happy vibe. He thanks his wife several times throughout the meal, complimenting her. I’d say he’s going overboard, but it’s damn delicious. And I thought my mom was a superb cook.
