Rowan’s shoulders slumped. “You think I need reminding of what a mistake Gary was? I’m the one he made a fool out of for two months.” He gulped his iced tea and wished he could order something stronger, but unfortunately it was a bad look to show up with alcohol on your breath when you worked with children.
“Apparently you do. He only made a fool of you because you let him. Not in anit was your faultway, but in abecause you picked a douchebag againway.”
“Just because the last two weren’t prizes—”
“The rest of them were carbon copies of the last two. Brian was another Gary, Welland another Darius…. Need I go on?”
Rowan gritted his teeth. Okay, so he didn’t have the best track record, but Gem didn’t have to bring out the claws. She’d better be paying for this lunch to make it up to him. “Is there a point to this embarrassing trip down memory lane?”
“Yes!” Gem snapped and then softened. “I’m hoping you’ve finally seen the light. You deserve better.”
Rowan scowled. Thinking about his unfortunate and colorful dating history made him think about what hadledto it. The Garys and Dariuses of the world might be completely awful boyfriends, but at least they didn’t prioritize their jobs over everything else.
Of course, now Rowan was forced to admit that they could have stood to rearrange their priorities just a wee bit. “How did we even get here?”
“Your crush on Jordy Shaw and my enthusiasm for you picking a worthwhile object of your affections for once.”
“I admired the man’s ass, I didn’t elope with him.” No matter how many fantasies Rowan’s overactive and slutty imagination had already created about that peach and all the other lovely muscles it was configured with, he wasn’t delusional. Even if a traitorous little voice in the back of his mind pointed out that Jordy hadn’t rejected his flirting.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t ask him out on a date.”
Rowan shook his head. “I have a strong policy against sleeping with straight boys and married men.” He might have terrible taste in men, but he hadsomeself-respect.
Gem chuckled. “Oh, honey. Two strikes. He’s singleandbisexual.”
That traitorous little voice made a friend and high-fived him. Rowan told them both to shut up. “Just because he likes a manly physique doesn’t mean he’ll want mine.”
“True.”
“And there is a world of difference between ogling and dating. Just because he’s a pretty package doesn’t mean I want to take it home and unwrap it.”
Gem snorted and bit into the lime that came with her G and T. Rowan couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her eat something that wasn’t a cocktail garnish. “I think we’ve established that’s a lie.”
Damn her. She knew him too well. “True.” He thought of Jordy’s perfect form, huge thighs, and yes, perfect ass again, and sighed. “It’s not to be, Gem. What am I going to do, ask him out the next time he brings his daughter to the library? I’d rather not get fired for sexual harassment, thanks.”
But looking was free, he reminded himself, his spirits lifting. If nothing else, the scenery this summer should be excellent.
JORDY TIGHTENEDthe knot on his tie, picked up his jacket, and checked himself in the mirror. He wasn’t a vain man, but he didn’t clean up too badly, especially in his tailored black tux. At times like this, he was glad one of the veterans years ago had convinced him it would be a worthwhile investment. A comfortable suit made all the difference during stuffy black-tie events. Well—okay, a handful of suits, each tailored to fit him at different points in the hockey season.
Satisfied, he left his bedroom and headed for the kitchen to say good night to his baby.
As expected, Kaira sat at the counter, talking a mile a minute to Janice, who was cooking dinner at the stove.
“—and then Jake said I couldn’t do it, but he was totally wrong, because I did!”
“Of course you did,” Janice agreed with a nod that said she hadn’t doubted Kaira for a moment.
Kaira beamed and continued her story. Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, Jordy thanked whatever trick of fate had brought Janice into their lives. Her arrival wasn’t a miracle—Jordy had advertised for a nanny and she had applied—but she was a perfect fit in their household and was the only reason Jordy could be a “single” parent.
“Are you off, then?” Janice asked when she caught sight of him.
“Yes.” He stepped forward to hug Kaira and kiss her silky hair. “Love you, peanut. Have fun with Janice tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We’re going to eat popcorn and watch movies,” Kaira chirped.
“Well, that does sound like fun.”
“Doesn’t it? Way more fun than a stuffy party that you have to dress up for.”
