Speaking of children, I took my phone from my pocket and sent JoJo a text to see how things were going with the baby. She replied right away with: He’s sleeping soundly and has been all night. There’s no point in waking him, so no matter what time you get in, just leave him here in Yolanda’s and my room. I’ll bring him upstairs to you when he wakes up in the morning.
I sent back a thank you and put the phone away. After being with Owen twenty-four/seven for nearly a month, I was experiencing a bit of separation anxiety. But there was clearly nothing to worry about.
I got up and opened the cabinet beside the sink, and what I found there brought a smile to my face. One entire shelf was filled with a vast assortment of hair care products, including at least six different deep conditioners. I was glad to know he had to make at least a little effort to look that good.
After I brushed my teeth, I felt much less disgusting. I didn’t know what to do with that new, red toothbrush though, so I brought it with me back to the sofa.
Lucky glanced at me and asked, “Are you feeling better now?”
“Much.”
When he slid closer, I quickly held up the toothbrush and told him, “I didn’t know what to do with this. It seemed wasteful to throw it away, but it’s not like you’re going to reuse it.” I hadn’t exactly meant to stick it in his face, but it did prove effective in slowing his roll.
He grinned and returned to his previous spot on the couch. “Keep it. Also, message received. Maybe you should just kiss me when you’re ready, and I’ll stop trying.”
For lack of a better idea, I stuck the toothbrush in my T-shirt’s chest pocket with the bristle end poking out. “Sorry. I’ve never been in this situation, and it feels all topsy turvy.”
He raised a brow and asked, “What situation are you referring to, exactly?”
“I’ve never been with a man before.” I quickly added, “Not that I’m a virgin or anything. Well, yes I am, in the guy-on-guy sense. In case you’re wondering, I’m also a mess with women, so it’s not just the ‘first time exploring my bisexuality’ thing that’s making me this awkward. Although that’s part of it.” I flailed around for something else to say since I was feeling ridiculous, and came up with, “Do you want to do something while we wait for me to get a grip so we can kiss?” Ugh.
His grin was back. “Sure. What would you like to do?” I clearly amused him. Was that a good thing?
“Do you have a second chessboard? If we play, maybe I can diagnose why you keep losing to your dad.”
“I do.” He reached over the arm of the couch and pulled an elegant travel chess set from a drawer in the end table.
“Fancy.”
He handed it to me and bent down to take off his boots as he said, “It was a gift from my father, though I strongly suspect his administrative assistant picked it out. In fact, I think she’s picked out all my gifts over the last ten years or so, but Dad won’t admit it.”
“Are your parents divorced?” It occurred to me too late that maybe he didn’t want to talk about it, so I added, “Sorry, that’s none of my business. I was just wondering why an assistant picks out your presents.”
Lucky nodded and tucked his feet underneath him. “My mother’s on her fifth marriage and living in Calgary with a periodontist named Ludwig. She’s been with ol’ Luddy for six years now, so I’m thinking this one might actually stick.”
As I set up the board, I asked, “Are you and she close?”
“Not really.”
I wanted to ask a million more questions because I was a naturally curious—or possibly just nosy—person, but I decided that was probably too intrusive. Instead, I used my toes to push my sneakers off my feet, and as I shifted around to face him, I said, “Okay, my hash brown loving friend, let’s do this.”
“Just so you know, I don’t go to the diner for their hash browns, though they really are excellent.”
“Flapjacks?” He shot me a look, and I said, “I’ll stop guessing.”
“I’m there every weekday because a friend of mine owns the place. Ana-Sophia’s a single mom, and she needs time to drive her thirteen-year-old to school. It’ll be easier for her next year when her daughter’s in high school, because it’s within walking distance. But for now, I show up for about an hour to take orders and work the cash register while her only employee does the cooking. It’s too much for him to run it all by himself while she’s gone.”
“Wow, that’s so nice of you.”
He tried to shrug it off. “It’s no big deal.”
“Sure it is, getting up early every day and adjusting your schedule, just to help your friend.”
“I don’t get up. I stay up.”
“Come again?”
“That hour at the diner is the last thing I do before I go to bed. I usually work late into the night and sleep during the day.”