Page 13 of Where It Begins

“Sure, go ahead.”

“You gotta split it with me, though. And I agree on the blue tie,” Miller’s eyes don’t lift from the phone in his hand.

“You didn’t even look.”

“I don’t need to. Whenever you wear that tie the moms flirt with you. Wear it on your date.”

“Where you going for dinner?” Randy asks.

“Spiaggia.”

Randy’s eyebrows pop. “Nice, Mr. B. She must be hot.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “You boys better get a move on, or you’ll be late for practice and then I’ll hear it from your coach.”

“On it.” Miller heads for the front foyer. “Have fun on your date, Dad.”

“You still thinking about that movie?” I ask.

“Depends on the timing, but probably. I’ll be home around eleven, so I can get a solid seven before the game tomorrow morning.”

“Good man. Have a good practice and fun night. Drive safe, Randy.”

“You got it, Mr. B. Good luck on your date.”

The boys leave and I give myself a final once-over in the hall mirror before I hop into my SUV. Skye said she’d meet me at the restaurant, in lieu of me picking her up.

I arrive fifteen minutes early and take a seat at the bar to wait. I order a scotch on the rocks to help ease the nerves.

Despite the bar being mostly empty, a woman takes the seat beside mine and orders an extra dirty martini. “Hi.”

I tip my scotch toward her in acknowledgement. “Good evening.”

She gives me an appraising glance. “That it is. I’m celebrating my divorce with a girlfriend tonight. How about you?”

“First date.”

Her eyes light up. “Blind date?”

“We’ve had coffee.”

“Hmm.” She sips her martini. “Well, if that doesn’t work out, you might find me at the bar across the street later.” She drags an olive free of the toothpick with her teeth. I think it’s supposed to be sexy, but it’s just awkward. She puts her hand on my arm and leans in, as if she’s planning to tell me a secret.

It’s then that I spot Skye at the host stand. She’s wearing a curve hugging ice blue dress, and sweet mother of God, the cleavage is damn well drool worthy.

Her gaze shifts my way, then drops to the woman’s hand on my arm, before moving to the person attached to it. Her brow arches and I spin on my stool. “If you’ll excuse me, my date has arrived.” I don’t wait for the woman to respond and leave my scotch behind.

My gaze roves over her on a hot sweep as I eat up the distance between us. I take her hand and bring it to my lips. “You look utterly sinful.”

“And you look like you want to eat me for dessert.” Her gaze darts over my shoulder and she tips her chin up. “Who's your friend?”

“I’m unsure. She’s on the prowl. Freshly divorced. It was about to get awkward, so thank you for the save.”

Skye’s eyebrow lifts. “You’re a little too handsome for your own good, aren’t you?”

“And you’re so beautiful you make it hard to think. This dress is…” I step back and take her in, working hard not to linger too long on her cleavage. “Stunning.”

“My daughter picked it out and called it boobalicious. The poor kid working the host stand couldn’t form a complete sentence after I took off my coat, so it’s probably a bit much. I apologize in advance if people mistake me for a professional escort. It’s the last time I’ll take wardrobe advice from my teen.” She blows out a breath. “Lord help me. I’m nervous and rambling. This explains my single status for the past decade and a half.”

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