Page 15 of Pity Party

Sammy runs over to me. “Hey, Dad. I want you to meet Melissa.”

I know I’m in trouble the second our eyes meet.

CHAPTERSEVEN

MELISSA

Holy heck, Sammy’s dad is hot! My eyes linger at what I’m guessing is a twelve-pack under that vintage Pearl Jam t-shirt. I know that’s not something I should be thinking about a married man, but I can’t seem to help myself. As I approach Mr. Tall, Dark, and OMG-are-those-blue-eyes?—I nearly trip over my own feet.

In a bid to detract from my clumsiness, I smile widely and declare, “You must be Sammy’s dad.” Butterflies swarm my stomach like a flock of espresso-drinking vultures.

His expression shifts from one of surprise to—was that a flicker of interest??? Wait, I think it’sannoyance. But why? Without so much as a glance at my offered hand, he says, “Jamie Riordan.”

I briefly look at my extended appendage, checking for mud before returning it to my side. I wonder what he’d do if I ran my fingers through that wavy brown hair of his. “Melissa Corner,” I say, forcing my thoughts away from the inappropriate.

“Thank you for letting my daughter spend the day with you. I’ll make sure she doesn’t overstay her welcome in the future.” His voice sounds automated, like a droid reciting the lyrics to “Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall.”

Also, overstay her welcome? What are you talking about, Mr. Roboto? Sammy and I had a great time today. Before I can say this, my new friend hurries to explain, “Melissa offered me a job, Dad. I’m not bugging her.”

“You’re only twelve, Sammy. You can’t legally have a job.”

Is he serious?

“If you can pay a kid to mow your yard or babysit your cat when you’re out of town, why can’t you pay them to help pick out accessories for brides?” I want to know.

“Because yard work and cat sitting aren’t commercial businesses.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Sammy demands.

I quickly interject, “It’s not like I’m going to put her on the payroll. I’m just going to give her cash on a bride-to-bride basis.”

“I believe the government would consider that illegal,” he says rigidly.

“Dad, please! I really like Melissa and if I work here, I’ll be able to meet a lot of new Elk Lake friends.” I’m not sure that’s true as most of our brides are from out of town, but I don’t say that.

Jamie’s tight expression loosens as he addresses his daughter. “I don’t want to put Melissa on the spot.”

“What spot?” I exclaim. “I’m not on any spot. I’m the one who offered Sammy a job. I mean, I would have never paired those pearl drop earrings with that lace dress. I would have thought it too fussy, but the truth is, it was a spectacular combination.”

After a long pause, he finally says, “She can stop by once in a while, but I don’t feel comfortable with her taking any money.”

Sammy shrugs her shoulders. “That’s okay. I don’t really care about the money. I just like hanging out here.”

My mom pops her head out of the back room like a starving dog on the scent of its next meal. “Melissa,” she gushes. “Who’s this?” She strides over to Jamie with intent. I half-expect her to tell him to open his mouth so she can inspect his teeth.

Jamie smiles kindly at my mother. “I’m Sammy’s dad, Jamie.”

Mom beams at him before putting her arm around Sammy. “I’m Missy’s mom, Margie. You have a lovely daughter. Did she tell you she’s going to be working for us?”

“She can help, but she can’t take money,” he tells her.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” my mom says. “I got my first paying job when I was twelve. I picked blueberries. We’re paying Sammy and that’s all there is to it.”

Jamie shifts slightly which causes my gaze to move to his bare legs.Look away!I practically swoon as a wave of attraction hits me. I’m clearly sinking to a new low here. I mean, I’m not one to pine for married men, and certainly not hunky automaton men, but I can’t seem to control myself.

“That’s very nice of you, Margie. Thank you.” Now it’s Jamie who refuses to look at me.

I take a step so I’m right in his line of vision. “You wouldn’t let your daughter take money when I offered it, but she can take it from my mom?” Somebody has just thrown down the gauntlet.