Page 42 of More Than a Little Spark

He catches the swing and meets my lips.

And in the fading light of that June night, we kiss.Now, I have a new favorite spot.This swing.Okay, second favorite spot.That tree where we shared our first kiss still holds the top spot.

Chapter17

Carson

Carson

Ididn’t want to spring Daphne on Fred with other people around, so I suggested she come to the house before the party.That way, they can meet again without a bunch of people around.

The nervousness that has my insides in knots is likely unwarranted.At least I hope it is.Things are going well with Daphne, and life with Fred keeps getting better.I have a twelve-year-old who seems to actually like me.Can’t complain about that.

Fred drops a wad of towels onto the couch.“Are we leaving soon?”

“In a bit.My friend is coming here.Then we’ll all ride over together.”

“Okay.”He jogs down the hall.“I need my goggles.”

“Aren’t they in the pool bag?”I try to keep all the pool stuff in one place, but you’d think those things had legs.

When I hear the car pull up, a smile tugs at my cheeks.I’m looking forward to everyone knowing that Daphne and I are dating, and not just the handful who I’ve told or those who have figured it out.

I open the door as she’s getting out of her car.“You made it.Any trouble finding the house?”

“Not at all.Once I made it to the ranch, it was easy to find since I’ve been here before.”She stops outside the door and whispers, “Have you told him?”

“Not yet.Come on in.”I debated about how I should do things.One option was to tell Fred I was dating someone before Daphne arrived.But I went with the alternative and waited until she was here.She’s sweet and kind, and I think that will make the news easier for Fred.

Maybe it won’t be hard for him at all.I could just be projecting because I hated it when Mom found a new guy to date.But I had reason to dislike the men in her life.They hated me and found me bothersome.

Daphne isn’t like that.

Fred runs out and tosses the pool bag on top of the towels.“Found ’em.”Then he waves at Daphne.“Hi.You were the one who had the accident.”

“Yes, I am.My name is Daphne.”

“I know.And I’m Fred, if you forgot.My dad saved you, didn’t he?”Fred’s gaze bounces between me and Daphne.

“I helped her.”I slide an arm around her waist.“That’s how we met.And we’ve been dating for a few months.”

Fred blinks.“Oh.”

This is not the response I was hoping for.

Daphne pats my arm.“I’m going to run into the restroom for a moment.”After flashing a smile at Fred, she hurries out of the room.

He watches her leave, then turns toward me.“Is she your girlfriend?”

I nod.“She is.”

“Weird.”He walks to the couch and gathers up the bag and towels.

I should leave well enough alone, but I don’t.“Why’s that?”

He shrugs.“She’s really pretty is all.”

“That’s true.Daphne is beautiful.”

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