“I’d expect nothing less for the use of my name and likeness.” She took a bite of the best sweet and sour pork she’d ever had. “Wow. Emily and I are going to have to go back to this place. Everything is awesome. Or am I just so hungry, my taste buds would think cardboard was good right now?”
“It’s always good. And they’re even open late. Annie used to crave it when she was pregnant with Asher. I made so many late-night runs that I’m now on a first-name basis with the owner.”
Lori smiled inwardly as she sipped her wine.
How sweet was that? Joe hadn’t been home most of the time she’d been pregnant. It would’ve been nice to be pampered a bit.
After a few minutes in comfortable silence as they chowed down their delicious food, she asked, “Any progress on the get-Annie-back front?”
He shook his head. “She was supposed to call this afternoon. Every Wednesday, I have to text and remind her, but I was so busy today, I forgot. I hope Asher wasn’t too disappointed.”
“He didn’t mention it if that makes you feel any better.” Sad that Annie didn’t make Asher a priority.
Lori considered for a moment. A guy who admitted to not reading people well could probably use a little help getting Asher’s mom back. “Maybe you should stop reminding her. I used to remind my husband about things all the time until I finally realized he had no reason to remember important things regarding me because I did it for him.”
Deek grabbed his empty plate and took it to the sink. “I’m not following.”
“He relied on me, but then because he did that, it made me feel like I was being taken for granted. And it was my own fault.” She joined him at the sink and began loading the dishwasher.
He handed her his rinsed plate. “That makes sense. But I can’t do that to Asher.”
“I get it. I used to make excuses for Joe to Emily too. He liked to play golf on his few days off rather than spend time alone with his toddler. He said he never knew what he was supposed to do with her. And if I was there, he didn’t see the need for both of us to have a ruined day off.”
“Ouch.” Deek turned and leaned back against the counter. “You let him live after a statement like that?”
“Oh, I let him have it, all right. But then, you can’t change other people, can you?” She sighed as she loaded the dirty lunch and breakfast dishes from earlier into the washer too. “Joe was so clueless sometimes, but I loved him. And Emily figured it out anyway. She took it in stride as Joe just being Joe. Kids are smarter and more resilient than we give them credit for.”
He crossed his arms as a frown formed. “When I was debating what to do with a sick kid today, I was thinking how crappy it is that Annie takes no responsibility for Asher. I’m going to call her when I get home tonight. Lay the law down, you know? Either she comes back, or…”
“Or, what? She’s Asher’s mom. It’s not like you can break up and never see her again like you did the Louboutin woman. Don’t go in hot. I know you’re frustrated, but it’ll just make things worse. Take it from a hothead like me.”
“So Princess Lori has a temper, huh? That’ll make for a better character.” He leaned down and whispered, “Maybe I should make you one of the hot warrior women instead?”
When a slow, sexy smile formed on his lips, her stomach clenched. He was so damned good-looking. And the guy didn’t even know it. That made him even sexier to her.
She whispered back, “No, thanks. I’d rather have those shoes.” She should lean away, but he smelled so good, she didn’t want to. The yummy aroma of leather, wine, and sexy man wafted from him.
What was she doing? He wanted someone else. She leaned away and broke their staring match. “So, do you want another glass of wine?” Liquor was the last thing her libido needed, but she couldn’t come up with anything better while he was looking at her like that. She needed to tamp back those formally dormant urges that were raging like a wildfire inside her. Deek was not available. She understood that in her head, but her hormones weren’t listening. She needed to go on that date with Jason. Maybe if things went well, she’d be able to bury her deep-seated physical desire for Deek.
Deek wanted another glass of wine, but he better not. Lori was way too easy to talk with. Besides, she’d looked away and seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden. Or maybe he was just boring her. “Thanks, but I better get going.” He laid his empty wineglass in the dishwasher and then headed for the den to gather up Asher.
“Thanks for a great dinner, Deek. And for leftovers to last a week. Do you want to take some along?” Lori trotted along beside him, and her smile was back. Probably relieved he was finally going to leave her alone.