Page 12 of Undertow

“Is that name supposed to mean something to me?” he asks.

“Yes,” I snap. “Your asshole son has bullied my daughter sincemiddle school. I assumed you knew and just didn’t care how your son behaved, but now I’m thinking you actually aren’t even aware of what goes on with him.”

“I’m a very busy man, and Landon has a lot of friends,” he says a touch dismissively. “I can’t possibly keep up with the goings-on regarding his social life.”

“Well, they arenotfriends,” I tell him. “He’s mean to her, and I obviously can’t date someone whose son is mean to my daughter.”

“Maybe he likes her,” Hayden suggests, not remotely alarmed or surprised to hear that his son is a bully.

“Nuh-uh, no. We do not entertain the narrative that if a boy is mean to you, that means he likes you.”

“Entertain it or don’t, but it’s probably the truth.”

I stare at him, letting him see how unimpressed I am.

“I’ll talk to him,” he says since the dismissive route didn’t get him far. “I’ll tell him to stop picking on her.”

“I would appreciate that,” I say, slightly mollified. At least he isn’t one of those parents who knows what a jerk their kid is but just doesn’t care.

“Now, with that out of the way, how about that drink?”

I sigh, shaking my head at him. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not when I want something. Sorry,” he says, though he doesn’t look at all sorry.

I definitelyshouldn’tgo out with him. There’s no question it’s a bad idea, and I really am taking the year off dating so I can focus on Parker.

But I can’t remember the last time I went out on a nice date, and I do have a feeling I would have a good time with him. I also have a feeling if I keep telling him no, I’ll keep seeing him until he wears me out and gets a yes.

I suppose one little drink couldn’t cause any real harm.

“Make it 9:30,” I say.

Victory glints in his eyes as he smiles down at me. “Perfect. I’ll pick you up.”

“Don’t you need my address?”

“Already have it.”

I roll my eyes playfully. “Stalker.”

“Hey, if you can drive me to stalking, you should feel pretty damn proud of yourself. I usually can’t be bothered to answer a text.”

I’m not sure he should admit that, but in a way it’s comforting. It verifies what I already thought—that taking me out for this drink is only appealing to him because I keep turning him down. As soon as he takes me out and realizes I’m a boring mom and he could be out with a gorgeous, college-aged beach bunny instead, he’ll lose interest and leave me alone.

I don’t know how this keeps happening to me, but at leastthisrelentless pursuer is handsome and unmarried.

Chapter Four

Gemma

When I drive home tonight, the Hartley garage is open, but I don’t see Brent’s car.

As soon as I get my car in my garage, I lower the door anyway, just in case.

I’m still uneasy until I get in the house and see Parker sitting at the island, reading a book.

“One minute,” she says without looking up. “They just kissed and there was a scene break, but it’s only a few paragraphs, and I want to finish the chapter. You know I hate stopping before a chapter ends.”

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