Page 38 of Once Upon a Holidate
“I hate what you want to watch on TV.”
“I’ve been asking you to pick the shows or movies, and you still want to stay in your room. Come on, Joylyn. Give game night a try.”
She sighed heavily, then nodded, following him inside.
He’d been inspired to invite his daughter to The Boardroom after hearing a couple of guys talk about it at work. He went every couple of weeks, when he thought about it. It was always a good time, but was more fun with someone. His first instinct had been to invite Wynn. He liked her, he’d liked kissing her and he wanted to spend more time with her. But even as hereached for his phone to call and invite her, he’d realized that taking Joylyn was probably a better idea.
While his daughter was slightly less sullen than she had been when she first showed up, she still wasn’t anything close to friendly. He was willing to make accommodations, but he wasn’t going to beg for her smiles or good humor. He’d taken Wynn’s advice and had assigned chores—something he’d assumed would lead to a fight. Instead, she’d agreed with only minor grumbling. Maybe a night out together could move them a little closer to being friends.
He held open the door for her, then followed her inside. As per usual, the place was crowded. The Boardroom always pulled in a lot of locals, but Monday night was a favorite and the tournaments were popular.
Customers were three deep at the bar and most of the tables were full. As he looked around for empty seats, several people called out greetings. His friend Jasper walked by with two beers in his hands.
“Hey, Garrick. You’re welcome to sit with us, if you’d like.” He smiled at Joylyn. “I’m Jasper.”
“Joylyn. I’m, ah, Garrick’s daughter.”
Jasper smiled at her. “I figured. You’re too pretty and smart to go out with an old guy like your dad.” He tilted his head. “Come on. We’re this way.”
They reached the table. Renee was already there, casually dressed in jeans and a green shirt. She smiled at Joylyn.
“Hi,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Renee. Wynn mentioned you were in town for a few weeks. It’s so great to meet you. Natalie is so grateful for all the snowmen you’re making. Without you, she would be in deep trouble.”
“You know about that?” Joylyn asked, sitting across from Renee.
“I’m a wedding planner, so I’m the one handling the wedding.”She passed over a drink menu. “Everything with an asterisk can be made without alcohol. They do a very nice virgin piña colada. It’s not too sweet. About a billion calories, but worth it.”
Joylyn looked surprised by the information. “Thank you. Most people don’t know about virgin cocktails.”
“I have a lot of pregnant friends, or friends who recently had babies. Our little town is in a breeding frenzy right now.”
Joylyn glanced at Renee’s midsection. Renee held up her beer. “Not me. Not yet.”
Jasper put his arm around her. “We’re thinking in a few more months we’ll get serious about getting pregnant.” He kissed the top of her head.
They shared a look that even Garrick understood spoke of love and intimacy and connection.
Joylyn turned away. “It’s good to wait. Chandler and I didn’t want to get pregnant so soon, but it happened and now we’re having to deal.”
Garrick hadn’t known that and felt the pain of her regret. He wanted to reach out and offer comfort, but had a feeling he would be rebuffed.
A server walked by and took their drink orders. Joylyn chose the virgin piña colada. He got a beer.
Joylyn glanced at Jasper. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a writer.”
Joylyn looked confused. “Books?”
“Thrillers.”
“He’s a bestselling author,” Garrick added. “Very famous, but we like him anyway.”
“Oh. I don’t, um, read much.”
Renee shivered. “Don’t apologize. I can’t read his books at all. They’re too terrifying. Serial killers and dismemberment.”
“I don’t always dismember people,” Jasper said with a smile.
