Page 178 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
“You don’t want a guy like Jacob?” he asked. “He’s tough and dependable—”
“It sounds like you’re describing atruck, Daddy.”
“I’m just saying. Don’t ignore the good guys. Not every boy you fall for needs to be mysterious and…” He waved vaguely at Edward. “Five hundred years old and full of angst.”
Jamison reared back in outrage. “Edward is one hundred and four.”
“Not the point, princess.”
She rolled her eyes so hard he thought they might get stuck. “I want popcorn.”
“Not it.” Samuel swung his head around to look at Selah. “I got her a drink.”
“And I paid for the place,” Ben added, propping his feet on the coffee table. “So, you’re up, Selah.”
Selah half fell off the couch, sliding to the floor as if he’d been asked to do something that could possibly kill him. “Fine, but I’m making it cheddar flavored.”
A round of boos went up, and as Selah evil-laughed his way to the kitchen, something through the open patio doors caught his attention.
“Who is that?”
“Consuela said her nieces might stop by with fresh linens.” Ben yawned and wondered what time it was. He’d never been on vacation where he relaxed enough to stop looking at the clock, which was a bit disorienting. “They’re using the entrance on the south side of the complex.”
“Hola!” Selah called out. “Tienes un buen culo!”
“For the love of God, Selah. Stop saying that.” Ben whacked a snickering Samuel on the back of the head for lying to his brother. “It does not mean,how are you doing? Do not disrespect those girls.”
“Thosefinegirls,” Selah whispered. “Sammy, come look.”
Samuel didn’t appear even remotely interested. “No.”
Selah flapped his hand behind the curtain so the girls outside wouldn’t see. “Come here,” he hissed through clenched teeth as he smiled. “Now!”
The phone rang, and Jamison crawled over to answer it. “Evie! You’re back from your date? No way! Shut up!” She giggled and flopped down to talk. “Tell me everything.”
“Yeah, I’m not listening to this.” Samuel peeled himself off the couch to join Selah at the balcony door. “Good evening, ladies.”
A string of rapid Spanish answered them, followed by feminine laughter. Ben watched his sons step through the patio doors, disappearing down the sloping yard toward one of the outer buildings.
“I hope they realize they’re still in their pajamas,” Ben grumbled once they vanished around the corner. “Not that they’re thinking with their brains right now.”
He finished the last of his beer and waited for Jamison to wrap up her call. But when Annabeth got on the phone, too, and the three of them started chatting together, he gave up.
“I think we lost the boys, so I’ll make the popcorn.”
Jamison gave him a thumbs-up and flashed her mouthful-of-metal smile, which made the heart in his chest go tight. He would do anything for his kids. Anything at all to make them happy. They could ask for a T-Rex, and he’d figure out how to get one, even if he had to open a Jurassic Park.
Not bothering with the lights, he allowed the full moon’s glow to guide him to the pantry. The balcony doors were open, and that floral night breeze had the sheer panels billowing about into the kitchen.
Finding the popcorn easily, he stuck the bag in the microwave and started it up. The second it was done, he poured it into a bowl, burning his fingers in the process. “Shit.”
Jamison would want to finish the movie, and since there was no way out of it, he went for the fridge next. Sticking his head in, he searched for a beer, knowing it would be his last one for the night. He was getting older, and alcohol wasn’t as kind to him as it used to be.
“You’re so handsome when you’re relaxed and happy like this.”
He nearly hit his head on the fridge shelf when he heard her voice. Keeping calm, he snagged the beer and straightened to shut the door. “No, I’m not.”
Laura Jean stood next to him, looking as beautiful as the day she left him.
