She let out a mirthless laugh. “You really think highly of yourself.”
All he did was shrug.
Finally, she heaved a sigh. “You know what? Fine. I’ll go onadate with you.One.”
The stars in his eyes practically twinkled. He opened his mouth, probably to sling another retort about her falling for him at this point. But at that exact moment, Bridger barreled into her side. “Mom!” he muttered breathlessly. “I won tag. I froze everyone, and they couldn’t move.” His face was flushed, and his scalp was damp with sweat.
Her heart warmed at the sight of him having so much fun.
A crash had them both jumping, and she swiveled her head around to find Mack scrambling back to his feet.
She watched him with shrewd focus. A flush crawled up his neck, his eyes bouncing from Bridger to Lacey. There was question and surprise in his eyes, now. So, he hadn’t realized she had a son. That was interesting.
Lacey pulled her son into her arms, brushing a kiss to his head before pushing some of his hair from his forehead. “That’s wonderful, Bridger. We’re going to be leaving soon, so if you want to play one more round, you better do it now.”
Bridger nodded, grinning. “Okay.”
When he was out hearing range, Mack settled into his chair. “You have a kid.” It wasn’t a question.
Lacey dragged her focus to Mack, her body tense. She didn’t care what he thought. She didn’t care what anyone thought. But itwas still easy to rile her up when it came to people not accepting her innocent boy. “Is that a problem?”
Mack’s gaze shifted to meet hers, speaking far too quickly. “No, of course not.”
“You might want to tell your face that.”
His embarrassment spread from his neck to his ears. Mack cleared his throat. “I mean it.”
“Then what’s this?” She waved a finger in front of his face.
“You just… well, you look so young to have a kid…”
She swallowed hard, turning away from him. “Hasn’t anyone told you it’s impolite to comment on a woman’s age?”
He chuckled nervously. “Touché.”
Lacey got to her feet. “It’s been fun.”
Mack shot to his feet. “You’re leaving?”
She gave him a look that probably gave away just how little patience she had left. “I’ve got a kid and other responsibilities.” Namely, a shift at work.
“You didn’t give me your number.”
She froze. From the looks of it, he was being serious.
Mack pulled his phone from his pocket, and slowly, that smile of his returned—the one that seemed to be capable of making her stomach churn. “You agreed to a date… or do I need to tattle to that kid of yours that his mother is a liar?”
“Careful, Matt, or you might give me the wrong impression that you’re prepared to start a war.”
He didn’t seem phased one bit, merely nudged his phone again.
Lacey eyed it, then with resignation, picked it up. She was already regretting this.
CHAPTER TWO
A kid.
Lacey had a kid, and he looked to be at least five. Or maybe he was older than that. Mack couldn’t tell. He wasn’t good with kids.
