Page 53 of Mr Nice Guy

Tanner’s lips twitch with amusement and he gives Skyler a nod. “Thanks, I’m pretty sure I’ve got it.”

We start the game, and it only takes about twenty seconds for me to realize that letting Skyler and Tanner team up together was a big mistake. Rodeo Drive sales girl huge.

It’s an absolute slaughter, and the glee Jackson and I were feeling over our earlier victories has been completely sapped away.

The only positive thing is that Tanner is at least more dignified in victory than Skyler. Although that’s not exactly hard…

“Wooh!Yeah!Suck onthat,bitches!” Skyler cries, getting right up in our faces.

I slap a palm over my face, shaking my head. Why am I friends with him again?

Next to me, Jackson just stretches out his body and gives a massive yawn. “You want to go hit a bar?”

Sky’s eyes light up. “Yes! I’msoin the mood to fuck right now.”

I roll my eyes. “When are younotin the mood to fuck?”

He shrugs. “I just give the people what they want.”

Jackson gets to his feet and starts maneuvering Skyler toward the door. “Come on. Let’s get going. Did you want to swing by home to put on tighter jeans first?”

“Yeah, obviously.”

“Have fun,” Tanner says, offering a wry smile as he waves goodbye.

“Oh, I always do. If you ever want to trade up—”

“Goodbye,Skyler,” I say firmly, getting up from the sofa and stalking over to the door so I can usher them out faster.

Skyler’s cackle of laughter echoes in my head as I finally close the door and turn back to Tanner, letting out a sigh. “I’m sorry about them.Him, really.”

Tanner’s brows shoot up. “Skyler? Why?”

I shrug. “I know he can be a lot to take. He’s a good friend when it counts though.”

“I’m sure he is,” he says with a wry chuckle, then he hits me with a questioning look. “I’ve told you about my son, right?”

I frown in thought. “I think you’ve mentioned him a couple times. Jazz, right? Hard name to forget.”

Tanner grins. “Yeah, well, imagine Skyler multiplied by about a thousand, then add in scathing honesty and unrepentant abrasiveness. That’s Jazz.”

I let out a snort and walk back to the sofa. I love how warm and affectionate Tanner’s voice is, and how his eyes sparkle with happiness at the thought of his son, even when describing some qualities that I’m sure a lot of people would find less than charming. “And what about your daughter?” I ask him, settling onto the sofa next to him. “Not Izzy, obviously.”

He grins. “Piper? She’s…I thinkhigh maintenanceis probably the best way to describe her. She can be a little catty sometimes, but she’s got a really good heart. Both of them do. And they both absolutely dote on Izzy. They’ve been amazing with her.”

There’s a touch of regret in Tanner’s expression, but I can’t bring myself to prod at it. I’m still curious about what the deal is with Izzy’s mother. At first I thought all his kids had the same mom, and that Izzy was just a late arrival. But when Tanner was telling me about his wife’s death a few weeks ago, I’m sure he mentioned having only two kids, and that they were both young. Piper and Jazz would have had to be in high school at the very least by the time Izzy was born.

I shelve my questions for now and instead tell him a bit about my crazy family. I gave him a few tidbits while I was away for the wedding, but there’s always more to tell.

“Baby of the family, huh?” he asks, eyes shimmering with amusement. “Do they all try to protect you or do they tease the hell out of you?”

“Both,” I grumble. “Or corrupt me.”

He lets out a huff of laughter. “They clearly don’t know you as well as I do if they think you need corrupting.”

CHAPTER20

TANNER

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