Michelle blushed. “Or just plain crazy.”
Stevie joined in. “My mom says if you don’t think what you’re doing is a little bit crazy, it’s probably not worth doing.”
I wonder if that applied to our recently agreed upon affair.
“Let’s go Stevie!”
She looked over her shoulder and back to the table with a smile. “Gotta go stretch and practice before the game this afternoon. Hope to see you guys there. Catch ya later, Mickey.”
“Bye Stevie!”
With one final wave, she bounced off to meet with her cheerleader friends and exited the restaurant in a wave of giggles and whispers.
During the lull in conversation, which I knew was temporary while Michelle figured out her next approach, our food arrived. Pizza for the table and an order of curly fries for me. “Thanks. Refills all around please.” The server nodded and walked off with a smile.
“So Dad, you have some news you want to share?”
“No,” I growled around a piping hot bite of cheese and sausage pizza.
“We made gizas for Miss Lacey and Stevie, and Grandpa left sushi for me and Stevie.”
I sent my grandson a playful glare. “Thanks, kid.”
“You’re welcome, Grandpa.” The boy chewed his pizza happily, unaware he’d just given away all of my secrets.
“Really?” Michelle turned to me with a teasing grin. “Miss Lacey, as in your boss, Lacey Gregory?”
“One and the same,” I confirmed and took another bite of pizza, a bigger bite than necessary to give myself time to think, and an excuse to not to have to offer up any more details.
“Interesting,” was all she said as she carefully finished off her first slice.
“It doesn’t mean I’m not committed to helping take care of Mickey. He is my priority.”
“Oh I know that,” she replied, expression suddenly serious. “I’m not worried.”
“You’re not?”
“Nope. I’m actually impressed, Dad. Lacey is beautiful and smart, and she’s really sweet.”
I frowned. “You know her?”
“Not much, but she did a small story when I started medical school, asking anyone in town who could help me to do it, and the town rallied.”
I smiled at the thought of Lacey, champion of women, committing such an act of kindness for my kid. “She never said.”
“That doesn’t seem like her style. She wouldn’t even accept my thanks, said it was her pleasure to do all she could to help a future doctor achieve her goals.” Michelle laughed again. “You might be in over your head, Dad.”
Don’t I know it. “Stop hoarding my curly fries,” was my only response.
Michelle laughed again, but she gracefully accepted the change in conversation.
Chapter 11
Lacey
What am I actually doing?
This question tap danced through my mind at least a dozen times as I drove away from the Daily Journal offices towards my house, knowing that Levi would be just a few minutes behind me. My nerves were completely frazzled at the thought of what would likely happen this afternoon, probably right after the lunch Levi promised would arrive with him.
This is crazy.
It was completely and totally crazy, but as I rushed inside and up the stairs, I felt thrilled at the possibility of having sex for the first time in years. Years. “Crap.” I stared at the sexy lingerie I’ll pulled from the back of my drawer, tags still on because I never got the chance to wear it before everything fell apart. The red lace stared back at me, almost mockingly, but I yanked the tags off and slipped it on before dressing again in the same t-shirt dress I’d worn to the office.
I smiled, suddenly I felt sexy, so much so that I walked with a bit more confidence as I made my way back downstairs to wait for Levi. The lace was soft against my sensitized skin and my breath hitched as it scraped over my suddenly hard nipples.
The doorbell rang and goosebumps popped out all over my skin. Breathe in, breathe out. My legs shook a little as I walked to the door and opened it, trying to appear as cool and relaxed as I could.
“Levi. You took your time getting here, didn’t you?”
He laughed, his gaze raked over my body several times before he responded. “I figured we could both use a little bit of anticipation.”
Damn, he’s good. “I think we’ve been anticipating this for days already.”
Levi laughed and stepped inside, forcing me to step back. “You smell good. Damn good.”
What in the hell was wrong with me? Every move, every look, every moment with this man created awareness that hit each part of my body with a shot of lust. “Th-thank you.” I swallowed hard and risked a look up at Levi, his brown eyes filled with heat and desire.
He closed the door and motioned for me to lead the way, allowing me to direct where this afternoon was headed. “Is this weird for you?”
“A little, I think. I’m not sure I’m thinking all that clearly at the moment though.”