“Sully said he was making us lunch today.”
“He did?” Kaira spun back to Rowan and said in a polite if somewhat rushed voice, “Sorry, Mr. Rowan, I will have to help you another day, because we need to go see Uncle Sully for lunch. He makes the best hot dogs, and it’s the only lunch he makes when it’s not freezing-your-tits-off too cold to barbeque.”
Jordy did not facepalm. He did make a mental note to yell at his liney for not keeping better control of his tongue around little ones—not that it would do much good, knowing Sully. At least he’d be reaping his own consequences soon, now that he was a father himself.
Rowan laughed. “Well, if he’s making hot dogs, then you must go, though I am terribly disappointed to cut short adiscussion of books with such a brilliant, well-read young lady.” He gave a flourishy bow like some medieval courtier. “I will await your return, my dear, so that you can continue to educate me in the ways of picture books.”
“Yes! Maybe Daddy can bring me back tomorrow now that he’s out of work.”
That one gave Rowan pause, and Jordy remembered that the man seemed oblivious to the world of hockey—and probably to Jordy himself. Cheeks warming, he said to his daughter, “I’m on summer vacation, honey.”
“Yes,” Kaira agreed.
“How delightful,” Rowan said, recovering, “that your daddy gets summers off with you. I bet you two have all sorts of fun adventures.”
“Last year we went to the beach! I want to go back.”
The smile Rowan gave Kaira as he hummed his agreement about the joys of the beach was sweet and charming; the smile he gave Jordy next was anything but. It was secretive and a little bit dirty. His tone, though, stayed light. “Oh, I think I can picture you on the beach all too well, Daddy, and I bet everyone thoroughly enjoys it.” His eyes flicked down and back up, so quickly Jordy thought maybe he imagined it.
Jordy flushed. It wasn’t that he wasn’t used to being flirted with—that happened all the time. Being a rich and moderately famous athlete meant no shortage of interest. And just because Jordy didn’t flirt with strangers didn’t mean he couldn’t recognize it when it happened, but no one had ever flirted with him like this before.
For one thing, strangers didn’t usually flirt with him when Kaira was around. Not once she started walking, at least—baby Kaira strapped to his chest had attracted plenty of attention—and those who did acted like she wasn’t even there. No onehad “flirted” with Kaira too. Or called him “Daddy” without innuendo.
And while Rowan was absolutely gorgeous and hypothetically the kind of guy Jordy wouldn’t mind a date with, Jordy didn’t actually know what Rowan was after.
Fortunately, Kaira made a perfect social buffer. Sully and most of their teammates thought it was hilarious that Jordy’s kid was such a chatterbox, and they teased him about it regularly. They didn’t understand that her talkative nature saved him from dealing with awkward social situations.
The innuendo flew right over Kaira’s head, and she nodded eagerly. “Daddy and I played games and went swimming, and Daddy is thebestat building sand castles.”
Jordy just knew how to turn over a bucket. “I’m average at best.”
“Oh,” Rowan said lightly, “I’m sure there is nothing average about you.”
Jordy huffed in amusement.
“He’s the best daddy,” Kaira informed Rowan seriously.
Self-conscious, Jordy stroked his daughter’s hair and asked, “Are we checking out any books today?”
“My books!” Kaira ran off to gather the ones she’d chosen. The stack was as large as it always was and contained some old favorites. “Ready, Daddy!”
“So many books,” Rowan said with delight. “Come along, then, Princess Kaira, and let’s get you to the checkout desk so you can feed your brain with all these books.”
Kaira skipped next to him as he led her to the circulation desk, and Jordy followed, bemused.
“There you go—all checked out. I hope that I’ll be seeing you next week.” Rowan crossed his arms and leaned over the desk, the better to look Kaira in the face. His biceps flexed and strained the fabric of his shirt. Jordy wondered if the seamswould survive. “And don’t forget about those recommendations for story time.”
“I won’t.” Kaira took her books from Rowan and handed them to Jordy to carry.
“Excellent. It was lovely to meet you, Princess Kaira—and your knightly father.”
Perhapsprincesswas too apt of a moniker, Jordy admitted to himself, but who could resist spoiling such a perfect child?
Kaira giggled and gave a clumsy curtsy. “You too, Mr. Rowan. Bye!”
She waved with one hand and dragged Jordy out with the other.
For some reason, Jordy couldn’t help one last look over his shoulder. Rowan was still leaning over the desk, his eyes locked on them as they walked out. Though if Jordy wasn’t mistaken, it wasn’t Kaira Rowan was watching, even if his eyes were focused down low.
