Page 128 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

He chuckles. “The teen years are tough. They go to bed after you and they’re always around. I didn’t even know you were dating.”

“It’s pretty new, but I like her.”

“The whole making out in the backseat of your truck gave that away. Where’d you meet her?”

“At a coffee shop. I figured it was better than the apps Miller keeps trying to get me to use.” I tap my thigh. “Speaking of my son, what’s this about you catching him getting it on with girls in the backseat of my truck?”

Clyde and I know each other enough to make small talk, but getting into my dating situation with him is another level of personal.

“It was a few weeks ago. I caught him with one girl who comes to a lot of the games and practices. They were in the back of the lot.”

“Here? At the arena?”

“Yeah.” He chuckles.

“It was just that one time?”

“That I caught him? Yeah.” He nods once.

I run my hand through my hair. “You’d think with all the energy they’re expending on the ice, they wouldn’t have any left for things like making out after practice.”

“Eh, they’re full of hormones.”

“Seems like they’re not the only ones these days,” I mutter.

Chapter Nine

The Moops Ruined It

Skye

Over the next several weeks, Sidney and I go on a handful of dates. Unfortunately, private time is scarce, and our kids thwart every plan to go back to either of our places.

Violet needs to be picked up early from Michael’s—that situation seems to have resolved itself now that Michael has a girlfriend—or Miller needs a ride home from his friend’s place. If it isn’t my daughter, it’s his son. On the upside, we’ve gotten to know each other and outside of the physical attraction, I really like him.

Tonight Violet is going to the movies and sleeping over at her friend’s house. Sidney is picking me up in ten minutes. He made dinner reservations and afterward we’re making use of my empty house.

Violet is still home when Sidney arrives, but she’s in the bathroom. The water isn’t running, so I knock on the door. “Honey, I’m on my way out! Have a great night with Sasha and text me if you need anything, okay?”

“Hold on!” A few seconds later she opens the door. She’s wearing a bathrobe and her hair is wrapped in a towel. Her glasses fog up as soon as she puts them on. “Oooh, you look pretty. Have fun on your date.”

“I will. And you have fun with your friends.” I kiss her on the cheek. “I’m only a phone call away.”

“Do you have your lactose pills?” she asks.

“Oh crap. Good call. Want to grab me a couple?”

“For sure.” A few seconds later she drops two pills into my palm and hands me a glass of water. Her glasses are foggy again.

I down them, thank her and leave her to get ready and meet Sidney at the front door. He’s wearing a navy suit with a blue tie that matches my dress.

He taps his bottom lip. “You look fantastic.”

“So do you. My daughter’s still home, otherwise I would invite you in now.”

“She’s here?”

“Yeah, her friend is picking her up in an hour. She just got out of the shower.”

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