Page 76 of Interception

I wanted to take Zee out on a date, but with her breastfeeding, it’s not that easy, and she’s not ready to leave the boys with anyone yet. I get it—she’s in full-on mommy mode. I’m down on the list of priorities right now, and I’m okay with that. She’s amazing, and we have our whole lives to find time for ourselves and enjoy our family.

My buddy, Anders, called me, wanting to make good on my promise to hang with him next time he was in town. Oh, how life has changed since then. The last time I saw him, I was trying to get Zee to give me the time of day. I was fucking miserable. She had me by the balls before she even knew she wanted my balls. That’s not the saying, but fuck it. She likes my balls, and she’d probably find my analogy funny.

“You should go and hang out with your friend. I’m good.”

“I don’t really want to go out without you. I know that makes me sound like a dweeb, but I’m tired, and if I’m going to go out on the town, I want to do it with my wife on my arm. Plus, Anders is a good friend, and I’d like to introduce you. I want to show off my sexy, hot wife.”

“Next time. Once I’m not our sons’ only food source, we can hit the town. I promise.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“Okay, so tell him you’ll be there tonight.”

“Only if you’re sure.”

“Yes. I’m going to be hanging with the other men in my life. Actually, they remind me a little of you.” She gives me a playful grin. I do love to see her smile.

“I’m jealous now.”

“I like to keep you on your toes. Now go and get ready before I change my mind.”

“One thing you can never be accused of is letting things get boring! I have a feeling I’ll be kept on my toes until I’m ninety.”

“You know it, champ.” I love seeing the feisty side of Zee. It’s tough to keep it fresh when you’re up to your neck in dirty diapers.

“Okay, I won’t be out crazy late.” I pull her into my arms, kissing her neck, drinking in the soft scent of her perfume.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Danford.” When a moan of pleasure escapes her, all I want to do is take her to our bedroom and turn that moan into a scream.

“I’ll finish it right now. Just say the word.”

“You’ve got somewhere to be.” She shrugs out of my arms, an all-too-familiar event of late. She’s not ready.

“Okay. I’ll see you later. If you need me, just call. I can be back here in twenty minutes. You could always ask Faith to come over. I text Hunter, and he’s going to meet me at the bar.”

“I’m capable of dealing with the twins on my own. You need to stop worrying about me. Go, have fun. It’s one night. You’re blowing this out of proportion.”

She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and reaches for my keys. She may as well just shove me out the front door.

* * *

“Hey, bro. How the hell are you?” Anders is propping up the bar when I arrive, surrounded by a predictable harem of women hoping to warm his bed tonight.

“I’m good, man. How are you? Good to see you.”

“What are you drinking?” I can barely hear him above the thumping beat, and the fact that it bugs me makes me feel old as fuck.

“I’m just going to grab a water.” He looks at me like I have two heads.

“What have you done with the real Cooper Danford? Water? Get the fuck out.”

Hunter appears at my side, just in time to give me shit about it as well. “He’s gone soft, Beck. He’s all decaf coffee and jammies by ten these days.” He amuses himself at my expense.

“Laugh it up, dickweed. If you had two tiny humans who refuse to sleep, you’d be off the hard stuff, too.”

“Come on. I’m only in town for one night, and you owe me a proper drink after skipping out on me last time.”

“Yeah, Coop, let loose for a night.” Hunter jumps on the bandwagon.

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