“Oh, that’s right. Koz went and got himself a girlfriend, so he’s officially no fun. You in for drinks later, Knox?”
“Nope,” I smile, checking my hair in the hall mirror.
“You got a date with your ex? Whit said you guys reconnected and you’ve got a kid? I didn’t believe him, but now I’m starting to wonder.”
“Yep. A hot date at storytime. Catch you bitches later—I can’t keep my girls waiting,” I call as I grab my keys and go.
Chapter 17
Willa
Every headin the library turns in Knox’s direction when we walk in. True to his word, he was waiting in the parking lot for us, and he’s carrying the heavy-as-hell car seat, so I can’t complain.
I’m not sure whether all eyes are on him because he gives off that slightly delinquent vibe, what with the tattoos that climb up his arms and neck, the messy black hair, or the perpetual scowl he’s wearing. Of course, he could also be attracting attention because he’s hot as all hell, and the story time moms are here for it.
I’m betting on the latter.
It took me a few weeks to warm up to this crew. On our first night here, three different women mistook me for the nanny; one assumed I was an older sister saddled with babysitting duty, and one asked if it was hard having a baby and going to high school. Truthfully, I almost stopped coming after all that. But it’s good for Rose to interact with other kids, and the library has always been one of my favorite places, and I want Rose to feel the same way.
Plus, free books.
And also, Miss Debbie and Miss Lorie.
Miss Debbie is the story time lady, and I always think she looks like a younger version of Mother Goose. She’s probably in her 50s and has bottle-dyed red hair, tiny circular glasses, and hand-knitted sweaters for every holiday and occasion. Her voice is soft and sweet. You’d think the cries of babies would drown her out, but the opposite is true. It’s like the kids can sense her calm energy and they tune right in.
I lead us over to a spot in the corner, dump the diaper bag, and grab my water bottle to take a sip. I can hear Knox muttering as he messes with the buckles and tries to free a squirmy Rose. My first instinct is to help, to take over, but I stop myself. First off, they’re just buckles. He’ll figure them out. And he is Rose’s dad. He can lift her out of her car seat as easily as I can. Just then, I hear a little yelp. Ok, almost as easily. Turning my head to see if Rose is ok, I catch a glimpse of him holding her close and kissing her hand. “I’m so sorry, Rosebud. That nasty-as…nasty, mean buckle bit you. But you’re good. You’re ok. And don’t you worry, Mr. Buckle and I are going to have a talk.”
“Sweet Lord, Willa. Did you rent that man? Tell me he’s a stripper?”
My friend Lorie, the very best part of story time, has arrived with her grandson, Cole, in tow. She’s in her forties and her short, pixie-cut brown hair is artfully streaked with lavender and grey. She walks in each week looking like she just stepped off a runway with her fitted jeans, flowy blouses, and little suede booties. Giant silver hoops hang from her ears, and I’m amazed she can wear those without Cole ripping them out of her earlobes.
“He’s not a stripper,” I tell her. “He’s Rose’s dad.”
“Darling, those things aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“Who’s a stripper?” Knox asks as he sits next to me, crisscross applesauce with Rose on his lap.
“Kari, one of the other moms,” Lorie lies in whispered tones. “But she doesn’t like when we bring it up.”
Knox shrugs. “No shame in having a job.”
“Right?” Lorie nods. “I think she’s just bitter because the girls aren’t as perky as they once were. But that’s why they make push-up bras, for God’s sake.”
“Can’t argue with that logic,” Knox smiles and offers his hand, the one Rose isn’t chewing on. “I’m Knox.”
“Sorry. I should have introduced you two.”
“No worries. I’m Lorie. And the man-child playing with the blocks over there is my grandson, Cole. He’s two, I swear. But he’s a giant.” She points in his direction, and I have to laugh at the shocked look on Knox’s face.
“Shit. That kid’s almost as tall as I am,” he jokes, then winces. “Sorry. I’m trying to do better at the whole not-swearing thing, but it’s hard.You should set me up a swear jar, Willa. Rose’s college would be paid for in no time.”
“Oh, shit…” Lorie murmurs, looking over toward the door. “I thought we got lucky, and they were skipping this week.”
“Who?” Knox asks me. “And why does Lorie get to swear?”
“Because Lorie could be my mom and I’m not going to tell her how to live her life. Also, she’s hilarious.”
“Uh...I’m also hilarious.”
