The Bachelor and the Beauty Queen

“Hi,” she mouthed, and waved him over. Philly dragged Lexi by the hand to meet him halfway.

“Hi.” Stephen returned a smile and hoped it did not come off as goofy as he thought. “What brings you here?”

“The Cyclone.” Lexi held up a stream of gray tickets. Philly held on to the end, twirling and wrapping herself in them.

Stephen flattened his lips to inspect the machine. “The Cyclone, you say?”

“I’m addicted.” Lexi tugged at her end of the tickets. “Hey, Philly, before you leave tonight, add these to your pot.”

“Really?” His niece’s face brightened, making her lopsided ponytails even more adorable.

“Of course. Where are you guys sitting?”

“We just got here,” said Philly, “Uncle Stephen did my hair.”

Lexi’s smile faltered, looking up at him. “Did he, now?”

“Kimber wanted to do it, but he said he can. It took him five times just to get the part in my hair straight. Then it took us forever because Uncle Stephen told Mr. Keenan to take the long way here. Uncle Stephen, can we sit with Miss Lexi now?”

It took Stephen a full ten seconds to digest everything Philly had blurted out before he shook his head. “What did I say about inviting yourself?”

“Feel free to sit at my booth,” said Lexi. “I just put in an order for eight personal pizzas. Some of your classmates are over there.” She inclined her head for them to follow.

They arrived at Lexi’s table and she handed Philly a cup of brass coins. “Have fun, and don’t forget about our deal.”

“I won’t, Miss Lexi!”

“Wait,” Stephen called out, wanting to take the opportunity to lecture Philly about being aware, but she’d already disappeared with a group of girls wearing Grits and Glam Pageant shirts. Clearly, from the way they all giggled together, they were friends.

“She’s fine,” Lexi assured him. “Have a seat. Her other friends from the pageant workshop are here. When the waiter comes back with my drink, I’ll let him know Philly’s here.”

After the death of her parents, Philly had become withdrawn and content with coming straight home after school. Seeing her happy now struck a chord with Stephen.

A lock of blond hair fell over Lexi’s shoulder. She swept it away, revealing the deep V of her red T-shirt, and more importantly, the swell of her breasts. “He’ll get her an individual pizza.”

“And you ordered eight?”

The waiter came over with a pitcher of beer and a clear carbonated drink, along with a dozen red Solo cups. Lexi put in an order for both girls. “Beer?”

Stephen settled into the cushion and nodded. “They serve alcohol in a children’s establishment?”

“If they didn’t, I’d doubt they’d have this many people.” Lexi turned over a red cup and poured from the pitcher. A few teenagers walked by and waved.

“Did you work here or something?” he asked. “I feel like I’m sitting at the popular kids’ table.”

“I sponsor a Skee-Ball Little League team for some of the girls from the after-school program at the public school.”

Every time she spoke he became more impressed with her.

Lexi extended his cup toward him. “Here you go, barely any foam.”

A static pop ignited between their fingertips with the cup handoff. Since Lexi didn’t react, Stephen guessed it was just him. He thanked her and took a long sip. “You don’t strike me as a beer kind of girl.”

“T

rust me, Stephen. I look forward to surprising you.”

Stephen took another drink to keep from saying something inappropriate. They were in a public establishment filled with children. She was also Philly’s coach. Kimber had gotten the scandalous dress from her. He needed to concentrate on these barriers, not imagine what a hellcat she’d be in bed, calling out the Lord’s name.