Page 10 of Copper

“You want to be social with him? Chat about the Bears over a few beers?”

Aaron nods and looks back up at me. “Yeah. We’re going to talk football and pretty girls. That means I need a pretty girl on my arm.” He stands up and adjusts his softening dick. The idea that he’ll have to take care of that at home pains me. “Get a dress. I like you in red.”

“What makes you think I’ll dress for you, Aaron Dwyer?” I sass back, knowing damn well that there’s a red number in the back of my closet just waiting for that man’s eyes. It’s five years old, but it’ll do.

He reaches the door and pulls it open before turning back to me. “Because I said so, Lucy. You’ll help me because you always help me…every time I’ve needed it.”

Chapter 6

Aaron

“Willyoubringaturtle home?” Pearl asks, tying my tie like I’ve taught her. She kneels on the dresser as I face the mirror.

I laugh and bump my nose against hers. “It’s not that kind of event to save turtles, sweetheart. We only raise money for them. Besides, we’re kind of hanging on by a thread here. It’s enough for me to keep you and your sister alive. I don’t think I can handle an endangered turtle.”

“I’d take care of it.”

Fat chance of that.

“Who is the lady you’re taking?” Pearl asks, thankfully changing the subject. She moves her hands so I can finish threading my tie. It’s the only part of the process she has trouble with.

Here it is. The conversation. Cynthia died a year ago, and I’m a good-looking guy in his thirties. I’m not going to be alone or celibate for the rest of my life. I’ve dreaded this conversation, though. No father wants to tell his eight-year-old daughter who lost her mother that he’s dating again.

Am I? I’m not sure if talking your ex-girlfriend into helping you spy on a human trafficker at a charity event counts as a date.

If I had my way, I’d take her on a proper date. I’d take her to a nice dinner and then for a walk on Lake Michigan. We’re always in Chicago in my fantasy for some reason. We’d go on a carriage ride, even if they are overpriced tourist traps. My hand would trail under the blanket and –

“Daddy!” Pearl says, jolting me out of my fantasy date with Lucy.

“I ran into my high school girlfriend. I asked her if she’d go with me.”

Pearl’s eyes widen to the size of dollar coins. “You had a girlfriend before Mommy?” she whispers.

I put my hands under her armpits, kiss her forehead, and help her off the dresser so she doesn’t have to jump. “A long time ago.”

“Is she pretty?”

I need to be careful here. Do I tell her the truth that Lucy’s gorgeous? I know why she’s asking. Pearl wants to know if my new interest is prettier than her mother. How do I compare the blonde, Swedish wonder that was my late wife with the auburn-haired enigma that’s Lucy? Cynthia was fit and muscular, even joining a female bodybuilding gym. Lucy is all curves and soft breasts. It’s like comparing an apple and an orange.

“She’s very pretty,” I say, leaning down to her level. She pulls on my tie a little while looking at me with her brow scrunched. “I know why you’re asking. Nobody will replace Mom in your heart, OK? My friend’s name is Lucy, and she makes me happy. I want to spend time with her. Is that enough for now?”

Pearl bites her lip like she’s thinking, and I can tell from her expression that I have a long way to go to explain this to Pearl and Ruby so they can understand. I’ll deal with it then, though. This isn’t something I can just mention and hope they accept. I also don’t know if I have a shot in hell with Lucy. She’s coming with me tonight as a favor. I sold it as her helping me – not as a romantic evening. I have my hopes way too high for the night.

“How do I look?” I ask, standing up and holding my arms out.

“Mom would say you’re hot and would have spanked you on the bottom.”

Tears well up in my eyes. Yeah, Cynthia would have called me hot and smacked my ass as she walked by. The way Pearl says it hits me in the chest. It’s amazing how much my daughters watched me interact with their mother without me realizing they were watching. Hopefully, I was a good enough role model for them to have high expectations for their own adult relationships.

“I need to go pick her up, Pearl.” I wag my finger like I’m telling her something important. “A man should always be a gentleman and pick up the woman properly for a date. He should ring the bell, talk to your father, and open doors. I should also bring her a gift. What should I take her?”

***

“What are you holding?” Lucy asks, swinging her door open.

I avert my eyes from her ample cleavage and try to form words. Fucking hell, she can fill a dress. It’s red and long, fitting her like a second skin in all the right places. How am I supposed to get through the night without begging to tear the dress from her body? My mouth waters at the bodice of the dress that shows the side of her breasts – breasts I want to suck on.

“Um, I asked my daughter for advice. We’re working on being a good guest and bringing something. I asked her what I should bring you.” I shrug and hold out the items I purchased on the way here. “I went with her advice because it’s different. I thought I’d have a shot of standing out from the crowd.”

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