Page 12 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
"And I, you," he replies.
As we pull away, Keith throws an arm over my shoulders, giving me a small squeeze before walking over to the couch. He sits next to Laura, pressing a quick peck to her lips before pulling her close.
I smile at them, but Keith - being Keith - sticks his tongue out at me. I roll my eyes and shake my head. Some things never change.
Dad exhales, a slow, content sigh as he leans back in his seat. "It’s really great to have you here, Houston."
I smile at him, warmth creeping into my chest despite myself. "It’s good to be here."
Keith props his elbow on the armrest, turning toward me. "So, how long will you be staying?"
Before I can answer, Mom jumps in. "She’ll be staying for a while, right, Whitney?"
I glance at her, then at my juice, and simply nod before taking a sip. "I’d be delighted to help with the wedding in any way," I add, setting my juice down, and leaning back into the couch.
Laura’s face lights up. “Really?”
I smile at her. “Of course. I’d be delighted to help in any way I can.”
"Oh, I know one of the ways you can help!" She shifts in her seat, turning to me eagerly. "Can you recommend a place for us to go for our honeymoon? I follow your travel videos and blogs, and I love all the places you’ve been to. So, as the expert, I was wondering if you could suggest a few destinations for us. Keith is hopeless with these things, and me…, well…”
Keith scoffs. "Hey, I’m not hopeless. I just think anywhere with a decent bed and a beach is good enough."
Laura sighs, exasperated but affectionate. "See what I mean?"
I chuckle. "It’s no problem. I got you." Then, grinning, I add, "Prepare to be influenced." I shoot a wink at Laura, who giggles, shaking her head. Keith groans, rubbing his face.
"God help me," he mutters, but there’s amusement in his voice.
I smirk. "Don’t fight it, Keith. Just let the expert handle it."
Laura beams. "Exactly!"
Before I can add anything else, Dad shifts his attention across the room. "Ed, put your phone away for a while, come on."
Edward barely glances up, his fingers still moving over the screen. "Sorry, Dad, just responding to a client."
Janet lets out a knowing sigh. "Let me guess - another demanding one?"
Ed scoffs. "Demanding is an understatement. This guy has changed his mind three times in the last hour. First, he wanted one thing, then something else, and now he’s circling back to hisoriginal request. It’s like dealing with a child who can’t decide what toy to play with."
Rosa shakes her head. "I feel for you. Clients like that are the worst. I deal with one almost every day." Janet scoffs. “I had a guy last week who literally argued with me about his own test results. Some patients act like they know more than the doctors.”
Laura laughs. “I remember Keith telling me about a woman who tried to return a half-eaten cake because it wasn't what she expected. She literally argued and caused a scene for over three hours.”
Edward sighs. "It’s exhausting."
Keith shakes his head. “Very. Honestly, dealing with difficult clients is part of the job. You just learn to manage them.”
Rosa smirks, shifting her gaze toward me. “Of course, one of us wouldn’t know what that feels like. After all, she doesn’t deal with actual clients or do an actual job.”
I pause, my glass halfway to my lips.
Rosa leans back, crossing her arms, staring me dead in the eyes. The air in the room tightens as I set my glass down deliberately, a sarcastic smile on my face. I keep my expression smooth, my tone cool. "What exactly are you trying to say, Rosa?" I lean back, crossing my legs. "Whatever it is, say it plain and simple. Don’t sugarcoat your words, and don’t beat around the bush."
Rosa lifts a brow, tilting her head like she’s debating how blunt she wants to be. “Fine. If you want it plain and simple - this ‘influencing’ thing you do? It’s annoying, and not up to the standard of the Langford family.”
I blink slowly, inhaling deeply before exhaling through my nose. I clap my hands together lightly. “Straight for the jugular. I respect that.”
