Page 12 of Dad Bod Secret Santa

“That’s a no,” Damien declares. “Come on, man. You’ve got a gorgeous woman staying in your house-”

“With her daughter,” I interrupt. “And my daughter.”

“Still.” Cody offers me a fresh beer, but I wave it away. “You’re not getting any younger, buddy.”

“Thanks for that.” I wince. It’s not like I’m geriatric, but time marches on. I’m not the man I was before I had Vivian. I’ve got lines on my face and a bit of a gut. There isn’t anything I would change, but I know some women would look right past me. Maggie hasn’t, and she’s the only woman who matters.

“He’s right,” Ace chimes in. “And she clearly likes you if she can put up with staying with your sorry ass.”

I whirl around. “Watch your mouth,” I snap. “You’re out of line.”

“Easy, easy,” Ace says, throwing up his hands. “Didn’t mean to offend your delicate sensibilities…”

“We care about your happiness, Hank,” Jax says smoothly, helping to defuse things.

“Yeah, well, care a little quieter,” I mutter, but I’m not really angry. These guys have had my back through everything—Karen leaving, learning to be a single dad, all of it. It dawns on me that perhaps they’re not the best bunch to talk about Maggie with. Maybe one day, they’ll all understand when they find the woman who takes your breath away with a single glance.

“At least tell us if you’re going to get serious about her,” Jordan prods. “We deserve at least that much.”

“Maybe,” I say noncommittally.

“Maybe?” Cody groans, rolling his eyes with a theatrical skill my daughter could appreciate. “That’s all we get?”

I take my last shot. This one hits the bullseye. “That’s all you get.”

Damien laughs. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Look,” I say, setting down the darts. “Maggie’s...special. I care about her. I don’t want to gossip about her.”

The men are all silent for a long moment, which is rare enough with them.

“Well, damn,” Ace says finally. “He’s got it bad.”

“Speaking of,” I say, grabbing my coat. “I’m calling it early tonight. I’ll catch you all tomorrow.”

“Going home to the missus?” Cody teases.

“Don’t make me fire you.”

“You can’t fire me. Only Jax can fire me.”

Jax raises his beer. “Don’t tempt me.”

I shrug into my coat and head out. I have another date with Leo’s workshop. I’m nearly done with my gift for Maggie.

“Hey,” Jax says quietly. “I get it, you know. Why you’re being careful.”

I pause, hand on the doorknob. “Yeah?”

“After Karen...I understand taking your time and being careful. Doing it right.” He squeezes my shoulder.

“Thanks, Jax.” I mean it.

“Now go on,” he says louder. “Get out of here before these idiots start planning your wedding.”

Behind us, someone—probably Ace—hums the wedding march. I flip them off without turning around, their laughter following me into the night.

I sit for a moment in my truck, letting the engine warm up. They mean well, I know that.

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