Chapter 2 Garlic Knots and Good Company #2
“Maybe you’ve been talking to the wrong women.” Kiki’s voice is casual, but I see the sparkle in her eyes. Seems underneath all that emotional armor, she is more than a little hurricane.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying it.
Our server interrupts the chat as she sets down a pie in the center of the table. “Here you go.”
Theo claps his hands, barely containing his excitement as I plop a slice on his plate. “Careful. It’s hot.”
Not that he listens. My son folds the pizza haphazardly before shoving it into his mouth. Not three seconds later, he’s fanning his tongue like a wild man. “Hot.”
“Yeah, if only someone had warned you about that,” I reply with a side-eye.
And three seconds after that, Theo is back for round two.
Kids. Never a dull moment.
“Dad?” Theo gives me a gentle elbow.
I gaze down at him, meeting his expectant stare. “What’s up, bud?”
“Can Miss Kiki come with us to the dinosaur museum?”
Way to put me on the spot, Theo.
I swing my gaze to Kiki, smiling as she struggles to keep from losing the cheese on her overloaded slice of pizza, and realize that I’d like to spend more time with her.
Plus, it’s innocent. Two friends sharing an afternoon with a six-year-old.
“What do you say, Kiki? Want to check out some dinosaurs with us this week?”
She blots her mouth with the corner of her napkin as her gaze volleys between Theo and me. “Sure. Sounds like fun.”
Just like that, Theo scores a second date with Kiki.
The boy is learning young.
“It’s your turn to answer a question.”
Kiki catches me off guard with her segue, but I recover quickly. “I was wondering if you two would ever get around to me. Go ahead, hit me.”
She swirls her wine with a little too much enthusiasm, the deep red climbing dangerously close to the rim before settling back.
Theo watches in wide-eyed wonder at her unintentional magic trick.
It occurs to me we’re both equally besotted with the woman sitting across from us.
But if she notices my lingering gaze, she hides it well.
“Your craftsmanship is exceedingly impressive.” She inches forward, her expression turning thoughtful. “Your attention to detail—the things most contractors would overlook or write off as too time-consuming or expensive—you never miss. You find them, and you make them shine.”
Do I love that she’s noticed that aspect of my business? Absolutely.
“Well, thank you,” I reply, dusting my fingers against my shirt in a faux show of bravado. “There’s an adage that the devil is in the details, but the truth is that’s where the heart lives, too. The trick is distinguishing between the two.”
“See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about. But rumor has it you’re relatively new on the scene. I didn’t want to pry, but since you came up with this game… how long have you been a contractor?”
“Let’s see. I started right after I got out of college, so… eight years now. Wow.” How time flies.
Kiki sputters her wine. “Hold up. You were in college eight years ago?”
“Is that a trick question? Why do you look so freaked out? Graduating at twenty-two is pretty standard, right?”
Am I missing something here?
“Yes, it is.” Kiki clears her throat as her fingers play with the thin gold chain around her neck. “You’re just… huh.”
No way am I letting that statement lie. “I’m just what?”
“Young. Really young.” Her gaze holds mine, steady and strong, but her teeth worry her lower lip. “I have nail polish older than you.”
If she only knew how many days I feel two steps from death’s door. Swinging a hammer for ten hours straight will do that to a man. “I’m thirty. I left young a while ago.”
Kiki’s eyes widen at my words, and I’m tempted to crawl under the table. Talk about providing the worst possible retort.
Eddie, open mouth and insert foot. Better yet, just shut up.
“God, I’m archaic by comparison.” She mutters the words under her breath before running a hand over her brow.
Look, I know Kiki is older, but it never crossed my mind that our age difference would be an issue.
For me, it’s not, and I’m going to make damn sure it doesn’t become one for her, either.
With a shrug, I grab another slice. “If archaic means beautiful and brilliant, then sure, the term fits.”
Kiki freezes, the pizza halfway to her mouth, as we both realize what I just said. Aloud.
I drop my food and hold up my hands in surrender. “I hope I didn’t offend you by saying that.”
Then it happens. That subtle magical glow I’ve heard so much about seeps back into her being as the corners of her lips curve upward. “I think I’m okay with you calling me that.”
Once again, I’m smiling like an infatuated idiot. “Good, because it’s true.”
We pass the rest of dinner in easy conversation. I finish Kiki’s untouched beer and then snatch the last slice when she and Theo take too long debating about who deserves it more.
I earned solid glares from them both, but I’m pretty sure they’ll forgive me. Eventually.
After eating, we stroll to the parking lot, where Theo shocks the hell out of me when he rushes to Kiki and wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her into a hug.
“I’ll see you soon, Miss Kiki.”
She strokes a lock of hair from his forehead and shoots him a warm grin. “You bet you will.”
Damn, but that warms my heart.
Don’t get me wrong. Theo is a great kid. The best. But he’s genuinely shy around strangers. It takes a few visits for him to warm up to someone new.
Not Kiki.
He warmed to her immediately.
You know the old saying that children are excellent judges of character? Well, Theo just proved the people of Sparkwood wrong.
Damn harpies.
After settling Theo into his booster seat, I turn to face Kiki, who’s digging for her keys in her bag.
She pulls them out with a triumphant grin and beams up at me. “Thank you so much for tonight. I can’t remember the last time I smiled that much.”
I lean against the truck, crossing my arms over my chest. “You have a magnificent smile. You need to use it more. So, about the dinosaur museum—”
Kiki waves her hand, dismissing my words. “Don’t worry. I know how kids are, inviting people along to things. I didn’t think you were serious.”
In that instant, I realize I’m very serious.
“Hey, I want you there, but there’s a caveat to the evening. Before we embark on any grand adventure, Theo and I partake in a fancy dinner.”
“Fancy like tonight? Because I can get behind that kind of fancy.”
“Way fancier,” I reply. “Wait for it, because it’s luxury living at its finest. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and if I’m feeling really festive, potato salad.”
Kiki plants a hand on her hip, fixing me with a saucy grin. “How did you know my favorite meals? Who told?”
“Lucky guess.”
“How about I bake a pie for our little soiree? Does Theo eat pie?”
I snort out a laugh, knocking Theo’s window. “Hey buddy, do you eat pie?”
Theo lowers the window, nodding excitedly. “I love pie.”
“See?”
“Then I’ll bring pie. You bring the hamburgers, and Theo will bring the dinosaurs. It will be a night to remember.” Kiki slings her purse over her shoulder, her expression softening. “Thank you for being such a good man. And Theo, thank you for the best night ever.”
Then she’s gone, slipping behind the wheel of her car and pulling out into the dark.
I slide into the driver’s seat and smile at Theo in the rearview. “Did you have a good time, bud?”
“I had a great time. I like Miss Kiki. She’s nice.”
“She is, isn’t she?”
“And pretty,” Theo adds.
Trust me kid, don’t have to tell me twice.
“Is she really coming to the dinosaur museum?”
See? I have the best damn kid on the planet.
“Absolutely. Says she wouldn’t miss it.” I lean back, ruffling his hair. “I’m glad you like her.”
“Do you like her, Dad?”
His question catches me off guard, but I immediately know the answer. “Yeah, bud. I like Kiki a lot.”