Page 77 of Those Two Words

If anything, being a girl dad makes me more masculine.

We finish setting up for the party and share a look of satisfaction as we look around the room. A six-foot inflatable unicorn and dinosaur sit at the back of the room, both sporting tiaras. Pink, purple, and white streamers and balloons decorate the ceilings and walls, and a small tea party is set up in the middle of the room. My mom is bringing all the fixings for a classic English afternoon tea, and George is picking up the birthday cake I hired Quinn to make.

Happy that we have some time to spare, we throw ourselves on the sofas before carnage ensues. The moment my butt hits the sofa, however, there’s a knock on the door.

“No way is someone here already,” I groan, hauling myself to my feet.

“Tell them to scram,” Graham says.

“What are you, a 1920s gangster?” I trudge my way over to the front door and swing it open a little too forcefully, prepared to turn away whoever is an hour early.

Only it’s not one of Lottie’s friends or parents. It’s a startled-looking Jo, clad in a purple, floor-length dress.

“Oh! Nice crown.” She bites her lips and tugs at one of the layers of her skirt, looking a little shy.

“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting anyone yet.”

“Is the party not today?”

“No, it is, but not until two.”

“Shiiiii—oot. I knew I got the time wrong. I’m trying to practice not swearing around kids and I’m not doing so well. I’ll come back when the party actually starts. Forget I was here,”she says, looking cute and flustered.

Before she can walk away, I hook an arm around her waist and pull her through the open doorway, narrowly avoiding trapping the gift bag she’s holding as I kick the door shut behind us.

“No, you don’t,” I mumble against her shoulder. “Stay, it’s fine. I thought you were one of Lottie’s friends’ parents, and I didn’t want to make small talk yet.”

She wriggles her way out of my hold, but now I’m able to get a good look at her.

How her hair can look even more golden, I have no clue, but it does as it falls in loose curls down her back. Her long, lean legs might be hidden, but the tight bodice of the dress and the little bow between her cleavage have my mouth watering.

Shit, is this some new kink?

The look is finished off with a pair of Chucks, because of course. How can she look cute and sexy? Suddenly, I’m regretting the horde of children about to take over my home, because all I want to do is drag her up the stairs and peel that dress off her.

“Did you hear what I said?” She laughs, waving a hand in front of my face.

“Nope.” My eyes are still glued to her chest, and I’m thinking of all the ways I want to fuck her to Sunday.It’s been a week since the afternoon at the lighthouse, and once again, we’ve done nothing but kiss or grope each other silly in the few moments alone we can find.

Graham walks out of the living room and Jo gives him a warm smile, and for the first time since her return, he returns it. Okay, it might not be what most people call a smile, but those who know him, know it’s genuine, and it’s good to see them talking again.

“Hey, Gray,” she greets him.

“Jo. Nice dress. I’ll take that.” He takes the gift bag from her hand and turns to me with a raised brow. “Remember, this is a kids’ party, Pat. Stop flirting with Sleeping Beauty and get your guest a drink.”

“Oh, I’m, umm, Rapunzel, actually,” she replies, but I’m already steering her toward the kitchen and away from the three guys currently in my living room who would enjoy nothing more than to wiggle their way into my business right now.

“What do you want?” I ask as I let go of her hand to reach inside one of the cabinets.

“Juice or water is good.”

I pull two glasses from the shelf, and watch her from the corner of my eye as she stares out into my yard.

We’re not broadcasting what’s happening between us, yet from the looks our siblings have been giving us, I suspect they have some idea about what’s going on.

Okay, they know.

Booth and Harriet wouldn’t know the meaning of the world subtle, and when Jo’s sister came to the restaurant to say goodbye a couple of days ago, she gave me a wink and whispered, “Go get ’em, tiger,” as she hugged me.

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