Page 81 of When Sparks Fly
“I didn’t sleep around. It was only Genna.” Mike didn’t point out the hypocrisy of that statement. “Zoey deserves to be happy.” His eyes narrowed on Mike. “I don’t want to see her hurt again.”
“I don’t, either,” Mike answered. If she ever let him back in, he’d make sure of it.
“And about that video...” Chris scrubbed a hand over his face. “Hazel’s teen years are going to test me at every turn. I told her she needs to apologize to you.”
“She doesn’t need to—”
“Shedoes.Look, if you and Zoey make a go of it, we’re all gonna be joined at the hip for every life event in Hazel’s life—graduation, marriage, kids.” He shook his head as if the thought overwhelmed him. “Zoey’s a package deal, and the package is more than just Hazel. It’s every side of Hazel’s now-extended family. Genna finally grasped that. You’re gonna have to step up, too.”
He wasn’t taking on a woman. He was taking on a ready-made family. He just had to love Zoey enough to wait her out.
And for once, the idea no longer terrified him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“NO,NOTTHERE. I want the patio table in the other corner. Where’s the umbrella for it?” Vickie looked around the new deck behind her house as if the brightly striped umbrella might be hiding in plain sight.
“It’s still in the storage shed,” Gordy replied, sliding the glass-top table to where Vickie was pointing. “I’ll get it. Relax, woman. This isn’t an international summit. It’s a kid apologizing to a grown man.”
She’d been surprised to get the text from Hazel yesterday. Vickie wasn’t much of a texter, so she’d called Hazel back, earning herself a lecture on modern communication from a thirteen-year-old. Eventually Hazel got to the point—she wanted to apologize to Mike for that ridiculous video, but she wanted to do it somewhere without her parents, or anyone else, looking on. Somewhere like Vickie’s new deck.
Vickie had grilled Hazel—did her mom know about this? Did her dad know? DidMikeknow? The girl waffled a bit on the Mike issue, but she’d assured Vickie that both parents were aware. In fact, it was her father who’d insisted on it.Good for Chris.This could be the first step toward reconciliations all the way around. Vickie hoped so, because Zoey had been moping around for over a week now. She tried to keep a happy face on for Hazel, of course, but Vickie knew better. The woman was hurting.
She stood back, examining the table location, then let out a squeal when Gordy swept her into his arms without warning, kissing her senseless before setting her back on her feet with a cocky grin.
“What wasthatfor?” She touched her fingers to her lips. Damn, the man could kiss.
“I needed to break up your panic cycle.” He grinned. “Everything will be fine. When are your matchmaking masterminds showing up?”
“They’re not coming until four.” She glanced at her watch. Electronic computer watches were all the craze now, but she still loved the sleek look of her classic Movado. “Mike and Hazel are doing their thing at two. I should finish getting the appetizers ready. You’re staying for book club, right?”
Gordy’s face twisted, and he made a face at her. “Do I have to?”
His pleading made her laugh. She’d never thought of herself as a complete sourpuss, but Gordy had a way to get her to laugh at things far more easily and often, including laughing atherself.
“Yes,” she said, swatting at him when he walked past her. “You promised. Besides, they like you.”
“I’m just the new curiosity. They like making swoony eyes at you and I, like we’re in a freak show. You’re not going to make me actually join this little club of yours, are you?”
“You don’t want to join my book club?” They were a couple. They should want to do everything...
“Just because we’re official now,” Gordy said, as if reading her mind, “that doesn’t mean we have to be joined at the hip. Doyouwant to come to my poker night at the golf club?”
“Hardly,” she said with a sniff.
Gordy spread his hands wide. “Exactly. Chuck Manning’s wife doesn’t makehimcome.”
It took her a second to realize he was talking about Cecile’s Charlie.
“Fair enough.” She wagged her finger at him with a smile. “You’re off the hookaftertoday. I already told them you’d join us, and they all want to talk to you.”
“Interrogate me is more like it,” Gordy grumbled. His expression lifted. “But if you promise me a trip upstairs after everyone is gone, I’ll consider it.” He was facing her now, arms crossed.
“You are a dirty old man.”
“And you are a dirty old broad. Is that a yes?”
She slid one of the patio chairs closer to the table. “Of course it is. Did you bring a change of clothes for church tomorrow?”