Matthew and Malcolm got up and ran over to Marcus. “Hey, Dad, can we play video games with Micah and Max?”
“Sure.” Marcus fished two crisp twenties out of his wallet and handed them to Matthew. “Get enough tokens for everyone. And make sure you stay where we can see you.”
“We will. Thanks, Dad!” The four boys raced off toward the gaming area.
Marcus grinned at the others. “I’m surprised none of our wives have called to check up on us. Not even Reese.”
Michael chuckled. “Only because she’s been delivering babies all day.”
Manning grinned. “Taylor’s teaching at a music symposium, so she hasn’t had time to call either.”
Quentin grinned, rubbing his daughter’s back. “Lexi texted me after her morning class. She made a point of saying that a text doesn’t count as a phone call, so she’s off the hook.”
The others laughed and shook their heads. Good ol’ Lexi.
Just then their waitress reappeared, a twentyish blonde carrying a fresh pitcher of sweet tea. She refilled their glasses while slyly checking out their ring fingers, as if she were hoping their wedding bands had magically disappeared during her absence. They hadn’t, of course, but that didn’t stop her from flirting shamelessly with them, batting her lashes and leaning all the way over to show off her cleavage as she collected dirty dishes from the table.
When she caught Malia eyeing her suspiciously, she tried to play it off. “Look at you! You’re such a pretty girl!”
“So are you,” Malia chirped matter-of-factly. “But my mommy is prettier.”
Caught off guard, the waitress blinked rapidly and turned bright red, then flashed an awkward smile at the group before hastily departing.
As Malia calmly returned her head to Manning’s shoulder, everyone exchanged disbelieving stares.
“Kids,” Manning drawled, picking up his glass of sweet tea. “They say the darndest things.”
Everyone just cracked up laughing.
