Something Real (Whiskey Men, #2)(7)

He seems to think about it. “No, I can read it. I’d rather you call Lily.”

I nod and stand up. “Got it. I’ll go call her. You read for fifteen minutes and then I’ll be back to tuck you in.”

His little nose scrunches up. “Dad, I don’t need to be tucked in. I’m six.”

I get to the door and turn to face him. “You’re still five until next week, so I’m tucking you in. I’ll be back.”

I shut his bedroom door and practically run down the steps.

I have been wondering all night how Lilian’s date went. The urge to call her earlier was almost unbearable. At least now I have an excuse to text.

I type out a message on my phone and stare at it.

Hey. Ollie wanted me to ask you if you would come over and make cupcakes with him next week. He wants to take them to a school party, and he doesn’t trust my baking skills.





I read it twice wondering if it’s witty enough or if it makes me sound desperate.

I roll my eyes because I make multi-million dollar decisions on a regular basis, but what to say in a text has me second-guessing myself. I hit send before I can talk myself out of it.

The typing bubbles pop up, and I hold my breath, waiting for her reply to show on the screen.

Sure. Is his school party next Friday? Should I come over the night before?





That would be perfect. He’ll be excited.





Me too. Something to look forward to.





I stare at her response. I know it’s none of my business, but I type out the one question I don’t have the right to ask.

How was your date?





Her response is slower this time. So I type and hit send.

Are you still with him? Sorry for interrupting.





Her text pops up, and I let out a breath as I read.

No, I’m home. It was okay. He was nice and all but I won’t be seeing him again.





I pump my fist into the air and am busy celebrating when my phone dings, letting me know I received another text.

Can we talk?





I suck in a breath. Talk. That sounds serious and could go either way for me, but I answer her yes before impatiently calling her.

As soon as she answers, I ask her, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.”

“What did she say, Dad?” Ollie bellows down the stairs. I get up and walk to the landing so I can look up and see him. I tell Lilian to hold on a minute. “She said yes, she’d help you make cupcakes.”

“Yes!” he says excitedly.

“I’m on the phone with her. I’ll be up in a minute.”

He nods. “Okay, Dad. Good night.”

“Good night, bud,” I tell him before getting back on the phone. “Sorry about that.”

I can hear the smile on her face. “Was that excited scream because of me?”

I nod as I pace back and forth. “It was. He’s really excited about the whole cupcake thing.”

I swear it sounds like she claps her hands together. “Good. I'll have to bring my A game. I may even have to do a practice run before coming over. I haven’t baked in a while. Carrie always wanted me to keep the sweets out of the house.”

“Well, I appreciate you doing it… so what did you want to talk about?”

She blows out a breath, and the pause has me pulling the phone away to look at it to make sure we’re still connected. “You there?”

Her voice softens. “Yeah, I’m here. I’m sorry. You’re probably trying to get Ollie to bed. I can just talk to you about it tomorrow.”

“No!” I practically shout into the phone, not wanting her to hang up. “I can talk now. What’s up? What do you want to talk about?”

She sighs. “I just wanted to apologize for today….”

Her voice trails off, and I feel like I have been hit in the gut. “Apologize for what exactly?”

She laughs uncomfortably. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? Okay, well, I know I sort of said so earlier, but I feel it’s worth mentioning again. I’m sorry for the kiss. I really thought I was helping, but I shouldn’t have pawed you at your son’s soccer game.”

“You didn’t paw.”

She laughs. “I beg to differ. I definitely didn’t act professionally. Anyway, I wanted to apologize—again—and let you know that it wouldn’t happen again. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I promise from this point forward, I’m keeping my hands—and my mouth—to myself.”

My mouth falls open. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that she can kiss or touch me any time she wants, but obviously today made her uncomfortable. I don’t want to pressure her and make her want to leave or quit. I clear my throat. “There’s nothing you can do to make me uncomfortable. Don’t worry about it. You and I are good, Lilian.”

She lets out a breath of relief. “Really? I was worried you were going to fire me first thing in the morning.”

“What?” I ask incredulously. “There’s nothing you can do that would make me fire you. I can’t make it without you. I know that.”