Matched For Love(14)
“Sure. We usually call around this time, so I’m ready whenever you are.” He was going to be in Lori’s bedroom? Just pile on the temptation.
He grabbed Asher, who protested loudly about having his movie interrupted, on his way through the den, and they followed her hot behind to the bedroom. It was all very…girly inside. Tons of throw pillows on the bed, pale yellow walls filled with pictures of Emily with a man who must’ve been Lori’s husband, Joe. The air even smelled feminine. A combination of flowers, citrus, cookie dough, and Lori. Super enticing.
After Lori got the television synced up, she held out a hand toward her little desk in the corner. “Here you go. Just to be on the up-and-up, tell Annie I’ll be in and out, so she knows I’m here too.” She handed him a piece of paper. “After Asher is done, we’ll let him get back to his movie in the den, and then you and Annie can talk.” Lori put her hands over Asher’s ears and whispered, “That’s a list of clever crap to say if your conversation stalls. Some of it’s kind of spicy.”
Lori had all the bases covered. He was in good hands. He made the connection to Annie’s computer, then he sat Asher in front of the screen. When Annie answered, Deek told her that Lori was there too and then went and stood beside Lori and watched their interaction.
Annie looked tired, but nodded and listened while Asher told her his news.
After Asher got done telling Annie about all the cool movies he’d been watching and the cookies Lori had made, Annie frowned slightly. “Why would Deek let you do that?”
Dammit. This isn’t going to help my case for getting her back.
Asher shrugged. “Because Emily does all those things? Or maybe it’s because Dad likes Mrs. Went. He made her a pretty princess in his game. And he even made her a castle.”
“Deek made her into a princess?” Annie blinked a few times as she considered. “He’s only made me a warrior who lives in a tent.”
Lori made a choking noise next to him.
He whispered, “Maybe I’d better go put a stop to this.”
“Wait.” Lori laid a soft hand on his forearm to stop him. “Making her jealous might work. Let’s see what she says.”
“She’s not jealous. Just last night she told me to date other women.”
Annie said, “Regardless of why, I’d prefer you didn’t watch cartoons and eat sugary sweets, Asher. Those things aren’t good for you, sweetheart.” Annie leaned closer to the screen. “Where are you, exactly?”
“In Mrs. Went’s bedroom. It smells like flowers in here.”
That got a reaction out of Annie. Her brow creaked up a half inch. “Okay. Where’s Deek?”
“Wait, Mom. I wanted to tell you about my science fair proj—”
“I’m sorry, Asher, but I’m late for something. I promise I’ll hear about it next time. I have to go. But I need to talk to Deek first.”
When he started for the computer, Lori whispered, “If she told you to date, then maybe it wouldn’t hurt to make her think you listened.”
“I’ve never lied to Annie.”
“You don’t have to lie to her. Just imply.” Lori’s warm breath against his cheek as she whispered sent a punch of desire straight to his gut.
When he turned to gaze into her eyes, her lips were so close, that he had to lean away, fearful he’d do something dumb. Like, kiss her. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t know if he liked the idea of implying things, but then, Lori was the expert. He wasn’t getting anywhere with Annie doing things his way. “Okay. But stay. In case I start going wrong, will you?”
“Of course.” She patted his arm. “You got this.”
He exchanged places with Asher in front of the screen. After Asher had gone back to his movie, Deek said, “Hey, there.”
“Hi. What’s going on with you, Deek? Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “What do you mean?”
“Yesterday you got upset that I’m sleeping with someone else when I know we hadn’t agreed to monogamy. Then you told me you’re going to call every day. While that’s nice, you know I have limited time to talk. And now you’re letting Asher run amok, while video chatting from some strange woman’s bedroom? You’re being…inconsistent.”
Letting Asher run amok? It took all his self-control for him to remain calm. “It’s not a stranger’s house. It’s his friend Emily’s. The other television is being used by the kids. And for future reference, Asher has told you about Emily many times.”