Page 25 of Unpredictable
Well, when he put it that way…
“Honestly?” I asked, and he nodded. “I’m not opposed to the idea of a relationship, as long as we have separate houses.” He elbowed me in the side, and I clutched my stomach, feigning injury. “And bank accounts.”
He shook his head. “Cam really did a number on you.”
“Whatever, man.” I flipped him off. I hated talking about Cam. It had been over twenty years; I’d moved on. But that didn’t mean I was willing to repeat the same mistakes. I’d never failed at anything, except my marriage.
“Let’s say you were looking for a relationship,” Reg said, unwilling to let the matter drop. “What would you look for in a partner? Just humor me,” he added when I opened my mouth to protest.
I huffed, already knowing the answer, even if I didn’t want to admit it. “Someone who’s independent and confident.” With every trait listed, I thought of Juliana. “Someone who’s kind, generous, and passionate. Someone who…”Has long blond hair the color of sunshine and eyes that sparkle like the ocean.
“Someone who what?” he prodded.
“Oh, um.” I cleared my throat. “Someone who takes pride in their body and shares similar interests.”
He nodded, considering. “What about kids?”
Was he joking? I was pushing fifty-one, well past the age to consider having a baby.
“I have a kid, and she’s great. But I can’t imagine starting over again at this point in my life. I’m too old for those late nights.”
“That shit is no joke,” he said. He and Jas had five kids, and I had no clue how the hell they did it. Though most of their kids were older now, the youngest was in middle school.
“Which is a big reason why a younger woman is out. No biological clock’s ticking here.”
He laughed. “I get that. I think Jas would go for number six if I agreed.”
“You don’t want to add another to your brood?”
He shook his head. “Our house is loud enough as it is. And chances are, the baby would be another girl, and I’d be even more outnumbered.”
Reg had four daughters. He was seriously outnumbered as it was. But I knew he loved it.
I patted him on the back. “Better start saving for those weddings now.”
“Uh-uh. Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m putting them through college. They can pay for their own damn weddings.”
“Right…so, when Izzy comes to you, batting her eyes, and asks for the wedding of her dreams…”
“I’ll tell her to get a job.” His expression, like his tone, was stern.
“Oh, please. I don’t buy that for a minute. You—like me—would do anything for your daughter.”
“Damn straight. And I would do anything for my wife.”
“What’s with all the wife and marriage talk today?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Our twentieth anniversary is coming up. I guess it’s got me feeling all nostalgic and shit.”
I laughed. “What are you going to do to celebrate?”
“Not a fucking clue. But I know it has to be something special.”
I nodded, thinking about my own failed marriage. It felt like a lifetime ago. I would’ve said it was my biggest regret, but it had given me Olivia.
“You should talk to Juliana. Olivia’s wedding planner,” I added, when I saw his perplexed expression. “I bet she’d have some great ideas for your anniversary.”
His shoulders relaxed at the suggestion. “What’s she like—uptight, high-strung? I’m sure that’s a lot of pressure. Plus…needy clients.”
