Flirting with Forever: A Hot Romantic Comedy(43)

“Thanks. Sorry I screwed up your run.”

“That’s all right. I mostly do it so I can drink all the martinis I want without guilt.”

I laughed and shifted on the couch so I was sitting up, then flexed my foot a few more times. Better. “Clearly I could use a similar habit.”

Was it my imagination, or did her eyes dart to my crotch again?

I certainly couldn’t get enough of her in her running clothes. Her curves were out of this world. The slight flush in her cheeks and shimmer of sweat on her neck and chest made me think about licking her again.

I bet she tasted amazing.

Our eyes locked. The pain in my calf was almost gone. I was pretty sure I could make it up the stairs, even if I had Nora flung over my shoulder like a cave man.

There it was again. The dare. Her lips twitched and her eyes blazed with heat.

The front door flew open and Riley came in. “Hi, Dad. Nora! Oh my gosh, hi.”

I bit back a groan of frustration. Of all the moments for her to come flying through the front door.

“Where’s grandma?”

She set her backpack on the floor. “She had to go. She said to tell you hi and she loves you. What are you guys doing?”

“I talked your dad into going for a run,” Nora said.

Riley burst out laughing. “A run? Seriously?”

My brow furrowed. “Hey.”

“He got a cramp so we had to cut it short.”

“Dad, running?” She kept laughing. “That’s hilarious.”

“Why is that so funny?”

“It just is. Look at you.” She gestured to all of me. “You’re not a runner.”

“Thanks, kid.”

“He did fine,” Nora said. “The cramp was my fault. I talked him into coming with me and didn’t give him a chance to get any water.”

“You definitely need to stay hydrated,” Riley said. “And make sure you get enough electrolytes.”

“Who told you that?”

“I learned about it in PE.”

I raised my eyebrows. “The class you’re failing?”

She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not failing. I told you, I got it up to a C.”

“Still not sure I should take fitness advice from someone getting a C in PE.” I grinned at her.

She sighed with a playful roll of her eyes. “Whatever, Dad. Can I go to the dance tonight?”

“What dance?”

“The dance at my school.”

My first instinct was to say, No fucking way. I remembered school dances. There were always kids sneaking off to make out in unlocked classrooms or closets. Or I’d heard stories. I’d never been sure if they were true or kids making shit up to sound cool.

“I don’t know.”

“Why not? Katie’s going. And so are my other friends.”

“Would you hate it if I was there as a chaperone?”

She eyed me with suspicion. “As long as you don’t do anything embarrassing.”

“I never do anything embarrassing.”

“Yeah, right.”

Nora was watching our exchange with a hint of amusement in her expression. She thought this was funny?

“What if Nora comes with me?” I asked. “We could chaperone together. I’m sure she’ll keep me from embarrassing you.”

“Could you come?” Riley asked, her eyes brightening. “That would be so cool.”

“Unless you have plans,” I said, keeping my voice nonchalant. I hit her with my best I dare you look.

She met my gaze, as if to say, Bring it on. “I’d love to help chaperone.”

I grinned at her. “I’ll call the school and let them know.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m so excited.” Riley clasped her hands together and practically jumped up and down. “I need to figure out what to wear.”

“I can help with that,” Nora said.

“Really? It’s just casual. I don’t need to wear a dress or anything.”

“Even a casual event requires some thought and planning.”

“Kiddo, she might want to go home and shower first,” I said. “We got all sweaty.”

Nora shrugged. “I don’t sweat, I glisten. Let’s go see what we have to work with.”

I watched her go upstairs with my daughter and something about it made my chest ache.





18





NORA





Deciding what to wear to a middle school dance was proving to be more difficult than I’d anticipated.

I’d helped Riley choose her outfit earlier—a black shirt with a unicorn, distressed jeans, and her favorite turquoise Converse. Later, I’d gone back to their house to do her hair and makeup. I’d kept everything very natural and age-appropriate, showing her how to do a no-makeup look with neutral eye shadow, a hint of eyeliner, mascara, and a very pretty pink watercolor blush that doubled as a lip tint. Then I’d done her hair in beachy waves and made sure she felt great about how she looked before we’d gone downstairs to show her dad.

Dex had approved. He’d tried to hide it but he’d gotten a little misty eyed.

Now I was back at my place, rejecting half my closet.