Leave it to Ainsley to be exceedingly insightful when you least expect it. Especially considering she’s never met the guy.
“You like him. Just admit it,” she presses.
“I do. It’s crazy, huh? I haven’t known him very long—”
“It doesn’t have to be when it’s the right one.”
I can’t help my grin.
She approaches me and grabs my hands, linking them with hers. Her piercing blue eyes sparkle with malice. “Mrs. Everly Reed Bickford-Smith Christensen,” she says in a solemn tone. “Or will it be Mrs. Christensen Bickford-Smith? You could go either way.”
I explode in laughter. “You’re mental. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One date hardly equates to walking down the aisle.”
“It does have a nice ring to it.”
A blush creeps up my face.
It does, doesn’t it?
CHAPTER 24
Holt
“Come on, girls,” I wave, dragging my child and my dog to my cousin’s door.
“Okay,” Naomi grunts, hoisting her overnight bag over her shoulder.
“Sure you don’t need any help?”
“No, Daddy. I’m a big girl.”
I chuckle.
“Just checking.”
“Luna’s toys are heavy,” she complains.
“She could’ve played with her brother’s toys,” I remind her.
“It’s not the same.”
She kills me.
I don’t even have time to reach the door when Jace flings it open.
“If it isn’t sweet little Noni.”
“Hello, Uncle Jace.”
Luna barks.
“Hey, Luna. No doggy fashion today?”
“Thank God,” I say.
Jace chuckles.
He shifts his attention back to my daughter. “The bag is bigger than you are, girl,” he laughs. “Your daddy has some nerve letting you lift it on your own. Shame on you, Daddy,” he winks at me.
“I can do it,” she giggles.
“If you say so.”
Jace squats so they’re at eye level before covering her sweet face with kisses.
“Stop, Uncle Jace,” Naomi protests in between fits of laughter.
“I can’t help it, you’re too cute. I just want to gobble you up.”
She laughs hysterically.
“All right. I got my Noni fix for the day,” Jace says, pulling away from her before straightening up. “Ready to spend the evening with us? It’s going to be fun.”
“Yes! Where’s Ryder?”
“He’s upstairs practicing his guitar. Mason is up there with him.”
“Can I go up now, Daddy?”
“Yes, you can—” She’s ready to spring off. “Where’s my goodbye kiss?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah.”
She turns on her heel.
It’s my turn to squat.
“Bye, Daddy. Love you.”
“I love you too, sweet pea.”
Not willing to be left out, Luna jumps around in search of her own kisses. I can’t deny her.
“Be good and listen to your uncle,” I tell Naomi.
“I will.”
“I’ll carry your bag inside, Jace says.”
“Thank you, Uncle Jace.” She drops her load with a loud sigh.
“Come on, Luna, let’s go play.”
And she’s off dragging our Staffie with her.
“Don’t run up the stairs!” I shout.
“Okay, Daddy!” she shouts back.
Jace and I laugh.
“Thanks for doing this,” I tell Jace when it’s only the two of us.
“No problem. It’s Mrs. Talbot’s day off and I’m just chilling at home. It works out well.” He takes a step back and frowns at me.
“What?”
“You look good.”
“Like it’s news?”
“Fuck off.”
“Language. My daughter is in earshot.”
He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
He takes a step closer, leans in and inhales deeply.
“You’re wearing cologne.”
“You’re done with your inspection?”
“I’m just curious. You’re dressed to impress.”
“Nothing wrong with looking my best.”
He’s still unconvinced.
“Unless things dramatically changed since I’ve been out of the game, there are no industry events on Sundays. And it’s not like you’re hanging out with your best friend since he’s on babysitting duty. What gives?”
I let out a long sigh as I run my hand through my hair. I’m still unsure how much I’m willing to reveal.
“Well?” he presses.
“I’m meeting someone.”
“You’re getting some… pussy?” he whispers.
“That’s not what I said.”
“I’m confused.”
Ah, Jace.
“I’m going out on a date.”
His eyes widen like saucers. He even jerks his head back in surprise. “With a woman?”
“No, with a giraffe. Of course, with a woman, you idiot.”
“Is it someone I introduced you to?”
“Jace, when are you going to get it? You and I don’t have the same taste in women.”
“I was just trying to be helpful. You seemed stuck. I thought it was my duty to un-stuck you and make sure you…” his eyes drop to my crouch, “…got some action.”
“I have one word for you, Kendra.”
“Okay, I’ll concede, perhaps not my best match.”
“It was a train wreck.”
“But she looked hot enough to… fuck,” he defends. Once again, he uses his low Daddy voice.
“It’s not enough for me. It was okay in our heydays as rock stars, but I’m well past those wild years. The bumbling idiot with the big DD cup silicone tits and duck lips to match becomes tiring. My taste has evolved. I need more substance.”
“Substance, as in she isn’t much to look at?”
“You need to start seeing different women,” I tell him.
“I’m okay with the type of women I… fuck,” he retaliates. “They don’t expect more than what I have to offer.”
“Good for you.”
He curls his lips up in an unimpressed smile. “And you met this woman of substance on your own?”
I ignore his snarkiness. “Yup, like a big boy.”
“Wow.”
He’s dumbfounded.
“I’m spending the rest of the afternoon with a woman of substance who’s smart, funny, sassy and she’s hot as hell.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“She’s attractive?”
“She’s crazy sexy and the best part is, she’s a natural beauty. How many times have we fucked women we meet at one of those industry events, just to realize she looks nothing like she did before the makeup wipes off?”
“I guess so,” Jace says in a pensive way. “And this woman you’re meeting lives in LA?”
“Yeah.”