“I’m usually not,” I replied, trying to school my expression. “You surprised me.”
“Then I’ve done my job,” she said, smiling. “I’d never want to be predictable.”
“You’re definitely not that,” I muttered, making her laugh. The sound was low and raspy, and I loved it.
“You’re good for them,” she said, bumping me with her hip. “I can tell. Kara wouldn’t stop talking about you in the camper last night.”
“I’m pretty popular with the tween crowd,” I replied. “It’s because I swear so much.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s more than that,” Lou said. Before she’d finished speaking, I heard Mack’s bike outside.
“Dad’s home,” Kara yelled from the living room.
“As if we couldn’t hear it,” Lou said with a chuckle.
I smiled as I flipped pancakes, but my stomach exploded with butterflies. Mack had left before we could spend any time post-I love you, and I was anxious to see him. Would things be different? Would he say it again? In front of his parents?
“Jesus, I’m wiped,” Mack said in the living room. “You guys eat yet?”
“Your mom and Rose are cookin’ now,” Howie replied.
“You’re not helpin’?” Mack asked Kara.
“No, Grandpa said he wanted to kick my butt at checkers, so Nana said I could clean up instead.”
“Alright,” Mack replied.
Then, he was in the kitchen and I couldn’t stop the wide smile that pulled at my cheeks.
“Hey, Ma,” Mack greeted as he came toward us. He stopped right in front of me. “Hey, baby,” he said, leaning down to give me a sweet kiss. “You sleep okay?”
“Without you taking up most of the bed?” I teased. “I slept like a rock.”
Mack chuckled. “Good.”
“You get everything straightened up at the club?” Lou asked, watching us with an indulgent smile.
Mack sent a guarded look my way.
“I told her about the fight that broke out,” I said, keeping my voice even. “No one’s hurt, I hope?”
“Nah,” Mack said, catching on easily. “Just a bunch of drunk idiots.”
“Sounds like any other party,” I said, turning back to the pancakes.
“I’m gonna take a quick shower,” Mack said, resting one hand on my hip as he kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be right back.”
“You have time,” Lou said.
After he walked away, we were quiet as we cooked. Then, without warning, Lou wrapped her arm around my waist and squeezed, giving me a kiss on my temple. “See?” she said. “You’re good for him.”
I smiled at her and shrugged.
Breakfast was loud and fun. We ate on the patio and I got to know Howie a little better. He was a lot like his son, both funny and serious, and I found myself laughing until my stomach hurt as he told me stories about life on the road. He and Lou had planned their entire lives for the moment they could retire and take off, and every word out of his mouth proved how much he loved it. I had to admit, I was a little jealous. I’d gone with Lily to college on the other side of the US, but I’d rarely traveled away from the western states otherwise. Maybe one day Mack would want to do the same thing, just take off and travel for a while.
I glanced over at him and smiled at the way he was laughing at his mom, his body bent at the waist.
“I did not,” Lou said imperiously. “I never told you that.”
“You did, too!” He looked over at Kara. “She told me that if I didn’t pull my tooth out, the Tooth Fairy was gonna come and yank it out while I was sleepin’. ’Cause the Tooth Fairy ain’t got the patience for your shit.”
“I really didn’t say that,” Lou said, throwing her napkin at Mack.
“Okay, I’m paraphrasin’, but that was the gist of it.” He turned to Howie. “Dad? Am I right?”
“I gotta live with the woman in a camper,” Howie said, nodding his head. “So I can’t confirm that.” He continued nodding his head as he looked at Kara.
“You’re so full of it,” Lou said with a laugh. She glanced down at her watch. “Honey, we better get a move on, or we’re not gonna be able to find a good spot before everyone starts showing up for the weekend.”
“Yeah,” Howie said with a sigh. “You’re probably right.”
“Can I come with?” Kara asked hopefully.
“Okay with me,” Lou said.
“Clear the table and load the dishes first,” Mack told his daughter. “I’ll wash the pans for you.”
“Thanks, Dad!”
I stood up to help Kara clear and Mack put his hand on my ass to stop me.
“It’s part of her chores,” he reminded me quietly.
“I don’t mind,” I whispered back, leaning down to kiss his cheek. “Plus, the sooner they leave, the sooner we can get naked.”
He laughed and leaned back in his seat. “How can I argue with that?”
“Mmhmm,” I murmured.
Fifteen minutes later, we watched as Lou drove the RV away with Kara in the passenger seat and Howie following behind them in the Mustang.