Page 55 of Hard Hat Hottie

“So, I have an odd question.”

She looks at me with apprehension dotting her face.

“Are their dads like Ross’s ex-wife onFriends? Are they, like,together?”

Harlow breaks out laughing. “It might seem that way to some. No, I think they’ve given co-parenting a whole new meaning. They tag team their weekends with the boys. It’s probably easier that way. They’re both very straight. Just not looking to win any father of the year awards.”

“Ah.” I chuckle. “Well, why don’t you ask if they want to come over? We could all have dinner here.”

Harlow looks at me like I’ve asked if the six of us could all move to Mars. “Are you sure you weren’t the one who got hit in the head by that baseball?”

“I’m serious.”

“Harrison, this might be taking getting to know me a bit too far. I mean…” She looks over her shoulder again. “These two are on their best behavior right now. You’re shiny and new. And have a pool.” She giggles. “But they won’t always be like this. And even on their worst days, they’re easier to handle than my ex-husbands.”

I bend down, putting a kiss on her nose. Hell, if anyone’s looking. “Well, if it will let me spend a few more hours with all of you, I think it’s a fair trade.”

An hour later, the doorbell rings, and I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing. Harlow comes to stand beside me, and we head toward the door.

Thankfully, Joyce decided to spend the rest of the evening with Mom. I’m not sure if I’m willing to risk my mother’s antics around Harlow’s exes. It would invite way more questions than I’d like to contend with tonight. And this dinner party is strange enough. I admit, I fully expected her exes to turn us down flat. But apparently a free meal and a whole lot of curiosity was all it took.

“Hey, Jimmy. Rob. This is my friend, Harrison.”

I lean in and awkwardly shake each of their hands with my non-dominant one. They both seem a bit guarded. But who wouldn’t be? “Come on in. Grab a beer.”

This must’ve been the right thing to say, as Rob seems to visibly relax as he steps in beside me.

“Dad!” Alec yells, flying toward Rob like a torpedo.

“Hey, buddy. What happened to your head?” Alec’s bruise has darkened a bit, but still isn’t as bad as I expected.

“Harry hit me in the head.”

Rob whirls to face me, and I immediately take a step back.

“Harry didn’t hit him,” Justin blurts. “Alec tried to catch the baseball with his face.”

Rob seems to back down at this.

“It was an accident. I swear.”

“He’s fine, Rob. I think he was looking up into the sun and didn’t see it coming,” Harlow adds.

“Can I get you a drink? We don’t have much food here. I’ll have to run out and grab stuff for dinner, but there’s plenty of beer.”

“Sure,” Rob mutters, still looking edgy.

“Steaks okay?”

“Yeah, I could go for a steak,” Jimmy says as he reaches into the fridge. “Nice place, man.”

“Thanks.”

“Any idea what we’re doing for dinner?” Harlow asks as she enters the kitchen.

“Rob and Jimmy are good with steak. Maybe we can grill hot dogs or burgers for the boys?”

“That sounds perfect.”

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