Page 110 of Wicked Grumpy Heart Doc

Aiden defended himself by saying, “I sent a gift.”

“So where are you taking Denise?”

“Chez Magnifique’s.”

Bri’s eyes widened. “Ooh la la. Fancy.”

He shrugged. “I thought I’d try to make a good impression.”

He really was going to make an effort. That was the plan, anyway. He’d yet to muster feeling excited, but maybe that would come tomorrow night while he was getting ready.

At the very least, he’d go through the motions until it felt right again.

He thought about how easy it’d been with Dakota and worried it’d never feel right with anyone else.

Nope. I survived a divorce after being married for sixteen years. I can certainly get over someone I spent two weekends with.

Two amazing weekends, but still. It was time to move on.

“Do you know what you’re wearing?” Kailey asked.

He shook his head. “No, do you guys want to help me?”

And that’s how he ended up at the mall at seven o’clock on a Friday night.

After going through his closet, his daughters decided it was time to update his wardrobe. He’d gone along with it, thinking a change was just what the doctor ordered.

****

Dakota

“You look great, Mom.”

Dakota tugged at the hem of her black dress as she looked at herself in the mirror.

“You don’t think it’s too short?”

Chloe stood up and hugged Dakota’s biceps from behind while putting her chin on her shoulder. Peering at her through the reflection in the mirror, she murmured, “No. It’s perfect. Trust me,” then briefly rubbed Dakota’s arms up and down before stepping back.

Dakota blew out a breath. “Okay. If you say so.”

“I say so.”

She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Why am I doing this again?”

“Because you said Hank is a nice guy, and it was time you got out of the house.”

“Oh yeah.” She absentmindedly tugged at the hem of her dress again, then turned to face her daughter head on, gesturing to the garment. “Don’t you think this is going to give off the wrong impression?”

“What? That you’re a beautiful, vibrant woman?”

“No. That I’m asking for it.”

The corner of Chloe’s mouth turned up. “Asking for what exactly?”

Dakota picked up a makeup sponge on the bathroom counter and tossed it at her. “You know what.”

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