Page 26 of Doctor Holliday
“Okay, so what are you gonna wear?” Ruby asked him. He waited a moment before answering, wondering if Alyssa was still there. When he was pretty sure it was just him and Ruby again, he took a deep breath.
“I don’t know. Dress pants. Dress shirt.”
“I should come and help you!” Ruby definitely squealed that time. “I could come over and help you get ready for your date.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Well, first of all, you have a sleepover tomorrow night,” he reminded her and continued over her sigh, “and second, I’m a guy. And I don’t need fashion advice.”
Ruby’s snicker made him lean forward to examine his current clothing. Thick work socks. Old, faded jeans. And probably an older crewneck sweatshirt.
“That’s why you need advice, Dad. ‘Cause you’re a guy.”
“I promise I’ll wear something nice.”
“Okay.” Her sigh was overly dramatic, as if she needed him to understand how his refusal of her help irritated her.
“How’s school?” The microwave beeped.
“Wait.”
“What now?” He took his plate and set it on the counter, but he didn’t sit just yet. What ifnowshe had a reason why he shouldn’t go on a date? He needed to be standing for that.
“Who’re you going out with, Dad?”
He hated that she had asked, and yet, he was surprised it wasn’t her first question. Not that he would hide it from her. But Keaton would have preferred to have the first date out of the way, to know if there would be a second date, before telling Ruby about Lucy.
“Lucy Holliday.”
“That doctor?” Another squeal. Keaton cringed. Good thing Ruby was at home and not around friends. After all, she was too grown up to act like a silly baby. “The one who delivered that kid in your store?”
He snorted as he perched on the stool at the counter.
Not the lady they talked to Sunday at the mall. The doctor whodelivered that kid in hisstore. Keaton felt a pang of regret. Ruby, his sweet daddy’s girl, was in fourth grade. She probably had a hell of a potty mouth when she was with her friends. Not because she understood what she was saying. Not because she had any venom or even bad behavior tucked away in her big heart. But because she was a fourth grader, and kids grew up way too damned soon these days.
“The very one,” he told her as she cut a bite off the ham steak he had grilled the night before.
“I like her.”
“Good. I’m glad.” He was. He actually felt the tension drain out of his shoulders at Ruby’s announcement. Would he let her control his social life? No. But on the other hand, if he and Lucy got involved and Ruby didn’t like her, it would be difficult.
“Tell me all about your date when I see you Saturday.”
“Oh, I will.” He rolled his eyes and crossed his fingers. He would tell her exact details of what he wore, what Lucy was wearing. What they ordered for dinner. Maybe even what kind of liquor he had in his cocktail. But that was it.
Because Keaton had lived that goodnight kiss over and over in his head until it was as much a part of him as his right elbow and the memory of Ruby’s birth. He absolutely planned another goodnight kiss. And while he didn’t want to rush anything with Lucy Holliday, he wouldn’t be upset if there was more.
More kissing. Some pawing around. The thought made him grin. He was sure Lucy would find it funny, too.
“And take pictures!” Ruby added.
“Not in a million years,” he told his daughter as he chewed and swallowed.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m a grown man taking a woman to dinner. Not prom.”