“Wow, Lexie, you look refreshed.” She wags her eyebrows at me, and I blush, turning away from her.
“Thanks. Come on, kids.” I rush them both into the door and tell Sadie I’ll see her after school.
“So,” Brooke leans in. “Ashton seemed to be in a good mood as well this morning.”
I groan, making Brooke laugh hard.
“This is so much fun. Usually, I don’t know Ashton’s girlfriends.”
“I’m not his girlfriend. And don’t you find this, I don’t know, strange?” Their relationship still seems so odd to me.
“Hell no. I think it’s great. Ashton’s a great guy, and you’re awesome. This will be a good relationship for you both.”
“Relationship? Oh no, that isn’t what’s happening here. It was one date.”
“Two,” she corrects me. “Ashton told me that when he comes back from the road games, you’re going out again.”
“Still not relationship.”
“You’re taking all the fun out of this.” Brooke pouts.
“What fun? I mean, I went out on a date with a man you’ve had sex with, and is the father of your child. Shouldn’t you be yelling at me or something?” I’ve heard and seen the horror stories of divorced parents and failed partnerships. I’ve even had clients request that people remain on the other side of the room or they’ll have two separate parties for kids.
“Look,” Brooke says, stepping closer to me. “I know you find Ashton’s and my relationship strange, but if you want to know the truth, we’re just friends. In fact, neither one of us even remembers having sex with each other, and we’ve never done anything since that night. When girls look at him, they see this hot hockey millionaire. When I look at him, I see a lanky, tall, clumsy freshman in college who almost ran into a door the first time I met him. The Ashton that I love is my friend and the greatest person I could ask to be a father for Reed. Yes, I’m thankful every day for him, but I want him to be happy too. I think you can do that for him.”
“I…I…” I don’t know what to say. I can’t make anyone happy. The only time I’m that way is if I’m with Sadie.
“I have to go to work, but let’s get together soon for another playdate.” She hugs me and jogs over to her car.
I rub my temples as I get back into my car and drive to the office. Not only do I have a long day ahead, but Tiffany is going to bombard me with questions.
“Tell me everything.” She’s standing right at my door when I walk in.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Skip all that shit, and tell me.” She tugs on my arm and pushes me into my chair.
“Fine.” I take a deep breath. “It was a nice dinner and dessert.”
She screams. “You had sex!”
“No!” I yell at her. “I was talking about brownies. Did you really think I had sex?”
“I was hoping.”
I shake my head. “I’m not having sex.”
“But,” she urges me on.
“We’re going on a second date,” I cave and tell her.
Tiff squeals and leaps into my arms. “I’m so happy for you.”
“You’re choking me.” I try to breathe.
“I never thought I’d see the day you would be dating a Bear.”
I roll my eyes. “You and me both. Now, I have work to do, so go away.”