Page 127 of Challenged by the Single Dad

Blech.

Their faces all fell.

“Why? What’s up?”

Dex shrugged. “We were hopin’ he’d either drive us to the shop since we’re hungry and nothin’ in the fridge is really callin’ our names. Or the restaurant, and we’d buy him a pint. He’s done that before.”

That was fair. Nothing in the fridge was really calling Chloe’s name either. She made herself that PB&J earlier simply because she was hungry. Not because she actually wanted it.

Dex’s blond brows rose. “Unless you’d like to go to the pub with us for a pint?”

Smiling at his kind offer, she was tempted to rub her belly, but just crossed her arms over her chest instead. “I’m okay, but thank you.”

Unlike that Orrin prick, these three were good, honest, hardworking kids. She really liked them, and felt that she could trust them.

“And I can’t ride my bike in that wind and rain anymore,” Azzy added with a frown. “I already feel like I’m coming down with something.” She sniffed for good measure.

“I mean wecaneat fridge food,” Kit added quickly. “But we’re—”

Chloe tossed Dex her car keys. “Take my car.”

Three sets of eyes went the size of dinner plates.

“No, no. We can’t,” Dex said, setting the keys down on the desk.

“Do you have your international driving permit?” Chloe asked.

He nodded.

“Do you plan to drink until you can’t walk straight?”

He shook his head. “I’m not even old enough to drink in the states. I’m only nineteen.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “And I’m sure that’s stopped you.”

He made a guilty face. “Well, no. But I can’t buy beer at the pub. And I’m not planning to go to the liquor store.”

“You just want to go out for dinner, grab some groceries, and socialize?”

Dex nodded again.

“If we’re gonna drink, we’ll come back here,” Kit said. “It’s cheaper and we won’t get any restaurants in trouble for serving underage people.” He shrugged. “We’re not lookin’ to cause any trouble. Just have a bite.”

She bowed her head at the keys. “Then go. Be young. Have fun. This is such a short, and wonderful, time in your lives.”

Azzy’s bourbon and chocolate eyes turned sad. “But what about you? You’re going to be here all alone?”

“I was here all alone before you guys got back from work,” Chloe said with a chuckle. “I actually don’t mind my own company.” She picked up her phone. “Besides, the stablehand just ripped the countess’s bodice—with her consent of course—so I need to see what happens.”

Kit barked out a laugh. “I’ll tell you what happens—”

Azzy swatted his chest. “Don’t spoil it for her, you haggis head.”

Dex snorted, and with a genuine smile, picked up the keys. “I promise to have your car back to you in one piece. We really appreciate this, Chloe.”

“Just be safe. And,” she bit her lip, “bring me back a bag of salt and vinegar kettle potato chips if you can.”

“They’re called ‘crisps,’” Kit said jokingly, tugging on his boots, “and we’ll bring you backtwobags.”

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