Page 27 of Driven Daddy

There were only a handful of people up there with us, and I relaxed as the sound of the water lapping against the boat pushed the rest of the nerves out of me. “It’s really nice up here.”

Colette propped her head on her hand. “I know. I don’t get out here nearly enough these days. The store keeps me busy and…” She trailed off.

“And?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of planning for the extension. I’m nervous to do it, but I’ve been saving up for so long I just have to go for it.”

I leaned back in the chair and folded my arms over my middle. “Somehow I have the feeling you have a five-year plan spreadsheet going.”

She flushed. “That obvious? I keep trying for that cool, classy, and unaffected girl thing.”

I laughed. “Don’t worry about that part. You’re far too fascinating to be single—unless, of course, you like it that way.”

She sighed. “I don’t. I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for booties like most of the people in this town, but I do miss sex. So much!”

One of the older guys sitting a few tables away turned to look at her.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t be looking over here, Gary. I know your Christmas list with Lisa.”

“You shout something like that, and a man can’t help but look, Colette.”

She glanced at me. “I just miss that buzz, you know?”

I did.

Mostly, I was missing any sort of reaction in my stupid body. It had been like I’d been in a deep freeze for the last… Well, almost a year. And the last guy I had been with had been severely lacking in buzz.

“What’s going on over there in that head of yours?”

I rolled my eyes. “Just thinking back on the last guy I was with.”

“That good?”

“Let’s just say I had to pull out my handy dandy vibrator after he left.”

She sat up and clapped delightedly. “Been there, sister.”

Rami came back with an array of soft, warm pretzels and the most amazing trio of dips, as well as full water glasses. “We have some new dips. I figured you guys might want to try them. The green one is hot.”

Colette rubbed her hands together. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Wasabi hot, Col. Be careful.”

She reached for the basket and tore a steaming pretzel apart and dipped the tiniest tip in. “Happy?”

Rami put a hand on her hip. “Well, go ahead.”

Colette took a bite, and her eyes widened, but she kept chewing.

I had a feeling Rami was a longtime friend. When Colette finally gave up and grabbed the water glass, the waitress cackled and pounded her on the back while she coughed. “I told you.”

When Colette’s eyes stopped streaming with tears, Rami gave her a stern look. “You’ll never learn.”

Colette finished her glass and held it up.

Rami took it. “I’ll be back with a refill and your wine.” She pointed at Colette. “Behave.”

I pushed my water toward Colette, and she took it gratefully.

---