Page 35 of Driven Daddy

“The bottom half of me will be behind a table.”

“People will want photos,” Larsen interjected.

My mom patted Larsen. “See. He knows. I’ll just go upstairs and get one from the closet.”

I glanced at him. “See what you started?”

“Look, you can play the slob artist all you want when there aren’t cameras around, son.”

“I’m not a slob.”

He arched a brow at me, his arctic eyes cutting.

“Fine. What does it matter what I look like? It’s about the art.”

“The shirt is a nice touch, at least. The Hugo Boss pants would be better.”

“Fuck off.”

Larsen grinned. “You only get away with that because JoAnn is upstairs.”

“Double fuck you.”

He laughed. And of course, even off a transatlantic flight, my best friend looked flawless in one of his Brioni suits. I swore he had a closet full of them. I was a cotton and denim guy—unabashedly. Hugo Boss was only under duress.

“It’s fine. You’ll look more like an everyman, I suppose.”

“Heaven forbid.” While I was waiting to be dressed by everyone but me, I put on my boots that made Larsen roll his eyes again.

My mother came back down the stairs with a belt from my bag—thankfully. I didn’t want to think about the JC Penney special hidden in some Tupperware tub in a closet.

“Thanks, Ma.” I gave her a quick kiss. “I’m stealing your favorite son.”

“Oh, does Larsen have to go with you?”

“Sorry, JoJo. I’ll bring you back something from the gift shop.”

“Oh, you don’t need to do that.” But she pinked up.

Disgusted, I hooked my hand around Larsen’s elbow. “Let’s go kiss ass.”

“How’d you get here?”

“Delta, unfortunately.”

I snorted as I headed down the drive to my car. “I mean there’s no car, asshole.”

“Uber. Shockingly, the rideshare has even found small towns.”

“Is that right?”

“I know. A delightful grandmother of seven drove me here.”

I shook my head and opened my door. He got in on the other side. “I’m glad to see you, not that I know what to do with you inmy parents’ small house. The other rooms have become toddler havens from all my siblings’ offspring.”

“Not a worry. I rented a cottage on the lake.”

“Fancy. Have a few rooms?”

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