Not Safe for Work(11)

“I can see that. How long before they start college?”

“Start?” I laughed again. “The youngest two started this year, and the oldest started the year before that.”

“You…really?” His eyes got huge. “You have kids who are old enough to be in college?”

“Uh, yeah.” I gestured at one of my rapidly graying temples. “Can’t you tell?”

Rick smiled, sliding his hand over mine. “I just figured that came from working for Mitchell & Forsythe.” He pointed at his own hairline. “I think I’ve picked up a few from that place.”

“So it’s not just me?”

“Uh, no.” He chuckled. “I knew you had kids. Didn’t realize they were college-age, though.”

“How did you know?”

“Jon.” He rolled his eyes. “How many times have I been in your work area? You’ve got like six pictures of them on your desk.”

“Oh. Right. And they’re a little out of date, I guess. I didn’t…realize you’d noticed them.”

His smile turned sheepish. “I noticed a lot of things about you.”

“Did you?”

“Mmhmm. After I saw you on the app, it made sense why I’d never seen a picture of anyone besides your kids, and why you didn’t wear a wedding ring.”

“Not recently anyway.”

“How long have you been divorced? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Thirteen years from my kids’ mother, six from my second wife.”

His eyebrows rose. “You’ve been married twice?”

“Almost a third time, but…” I waved a hand. “Things happen. Long story. What about you?”

“Never quite made it to the altar. Almost did, but…” He shook his head. “Just as well.”

“Long story?”

He draped his arm over my waist. “Long story.”

“Aren’t they all?” I rested my hand on top of his arm. “Anyway, since she and I live together, you’ll probably meet her at some point, if that’s not too weird.”

“Not for me. If you two live together, and it’s not weird for you or for her, then it’s fine by me. When we get to that point, I mean.”

“Of course, of course. No need to jump into meeting the ex-spouses or the kids quite yet.”

Rick laughed. “Yeah, give me a little warning for that one if you don’t mind.”

“I will. I promise.” I paused. “You and my younger daughter would probably get along great. She’s looking into your field.”

“Well, if she needs an internship or anything, I’d be happy to see if we have any openings.”

A weird feeling coiled in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to help my kids as much as possible, but also let them step out on their own and be independent. I wasn’t sure where “the bazillionaire I’m sleeping with can hook you up with an internship” fell on that spectrum. I half shrugged, running my hand along his side. “When the time comes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Great.” He chuckled. “Would you believe I’ve never been involved with someone whose kids were grown?”

“Really?”

“Really. I’ve dated a few guys who had younger kids, one who had a high school sophomore, but no adults.” He arched his eyebrow. “Does this mean I’m getting old?”

I laughed, patting his arm. “Welcome to the club.”

“Damn it.”

“How old are you, anyway?”

“Forty-three. You?”

“Closer to forty-six than I’d care to admit.”

Rick laughed wickedly. “Forty-five with kids in college. Pretty soon you’ll be dealing with weddings and—”

“No! No. No.” I shook my head. “No, we’re not thinking about that right now. They’ve all been forbidden from getting married until they’re out of school and I’ve had a chance to cope with that.” I rubbed a hand over my face. “Then again, two of them are in serious relationships, so knowing them, they’ll want to get married around the same time. Why they have to do everything expensive simultaneously…”

Rick chuckled, lacing our fingers together between our chests. “It does kind of make sense. Sounds like they’re pretty close in age?”

“Very. Literally all within one year.”

His eyes widened. “How the f*ck did you manage that?”

“We didn’t plan it that way, believe me. We adopted Kelsey, and a week after that was finalized, Karen found out she was pregnant with Tyler and Brooke. So within a year, we had three infants in the house.”

Rick blinked. “Oh my God. Just thinking about that makes me tired.”

“You have no idea.” I laughed. “But we all made it through without killing each other, and we got three good kids out of the deal, so I can’t complain.”

“And now she lives with you?”

I nodded. Then I chuckled. “Jesus. Look at us—we got together to f*ck and get kinky, and we’re already talking about kids and exes.”

Rick laughed. “Well, I’m not opposed to getting to know you, especially if we’re going to get into anything hardcore. And as you said, your arrangement with your ex affects logistics.”