“Let me take you,” Brooke offers. “He isn’t contagious. I think his dad gave him too many chicken nuggets the other night.” Brooke shoots Ashton a mean glance.
She takes Sadie’s hand, and now I’m alone with Ashton. In his house.
Crap.
“You have a nice house. I figured it would be some huge mansion on the hill, though.”
“Thank you. If you would ever say yes to me, then you would know that I’m not a guy who needs or wants a big house. I have enough trouble keeping this clean after Reed stays.”
“I know what you mean. Sadie is a messy kid too. Um, but I think we should be going.”
“No need to rush. Our kids are best friends, and I need to take advantage of you being in my house. Would you like to go out with me? Let’s list a few reasons why you should. One, I’ll repeat that our kids are best friends. Two, I’m an awesome dad and person, if I say so myself, but I can get references, if you wish. Three, there is really no reason you should say no. Four, you’re beautiful and a great mom to Sadie, and you deserve a date night.”
“First, don’t use the children as pawns in your game. Second, if I do say yes, will you stop sending roses every day? I have no more room in my office.”
“I already told you if you’d say yes and go out with me, then I would leave you alone if a second date is out of the question. You are running the show, Lexie. So what’s it going to be? Yes, or should I go ahead and call about more flower deliveries?”
“One date. You get one date, and after that no more. Okay?”
A large smile spreads across his face. “I could kiss you right now, but I’ll save that for my one and only date.” He winks.
I roll my eyes. “I’m only doing this so you’ll leave me alone. Now, I’m going to go get Sadie. You have my number already. Just let me know when, so I can line up a sitter.”
“I will definitely do that. Here, I’ll show you the way to his room. Don’t get any crazy ideas about stopping at my room first. There are kids in the house, you know.”
“Are you going to be this perverted on the date? Because if you are, I’m canceling.”
“I’m a gentleman, Lexie. That’s all you should expect for our date.”
I don’t say anything else, only follow him down the hall. Sadie is sitting on the side of the bed, holding Reed’s hand. It cute how much she likes him.
“Come on, Sadie,” I say softly.
“Bye, Reed. Bye, Miss Brooke.” She jumps off the bed and takes my hand.
I smile at everyone and head back towards the front door. Well, I almost sprint to it.
“Hey, why don’t we head over to Aunt Tiff’s house?”
Sadie claps with excitement, and I drive to the other side of town.
~
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite niece.” Tiff kisses her cheek.
“I’m your only niece.” Sadie laughs. Even though she doesn’t understand, that’s a sad statement. At least, it is for me.
Tiff takes her into the kitchen and hands her a cookie. Normally, I would be upset, but not when Tiff does it. She spoils Sadie worse than Mom and Dad. “So, to what do I owe this visit?”
“We just came from Reed’s house. He’s sick,” Sadie says sadly.
“And we also learned today that Reed’s dad is Ashton Campbell,” I add.
Tiff gasps. “Shut up.”
“And I said ‘yes’.”
Tiff stares at me, dumbfounded. Her mouth is agape. “Sadie, go watch TV.”