Page 38 of Sexting My Ex’s Dad

“I’m very sure of one thing.”

“And what’s that.”

I lean forward slightly. “That walking away from you again would be a mistake.”

Athena sits very still for a moment.

Then she reaches for another slice of pizza, takes a thoughtful bite, and smiles like a woman who just made a decision that might ruin both our lives.

“Well,” she says lightly, “in that case we’re in the right place at the right time.”

I’d tell her that there is no right time and place, there’s only what we can do with what’s given to us, but that would ruin the mood. I reach out to hold her hand.

When we finally leave the restaurant, the night is cool and she pauses on the sidewalk long enough to study my face with a thoughtful expression. “You’re not what I expected, Nathan Clark.”

Before I can answer, she leans forward and kisses me once more, quick and warm, and then she pulls away and walks toward her car with a small wave.

I watch her go longer than necessary. I already know this’ll be a problem, but I don’t expect what happens next.

As I get into my own car, my cell phone rings. The number isn’t saved in my contacts, but I answer anyway—it could be someone in need.

“Hello, darling.”

My expression darkens immediately. This voice belongs to Nate’s mom. “What do you want?”

She laughs breezily. “Oh, relax. Can’t a girl talk? You’ve been up to some very naughty shit, you know?”

7

NATHAN SR

I stop beside the driver’s door and rest my palm flat on the roof while traffic rolls past the parking lot entrance. A pair of headlights cuts across the windshield before disappearing down the street. My phone stays pressed to my ear while I watch the restaurant window behind me.

“Cindy,” I reply, not bothering to keep the disgust from my voice.

She laughs softly, pleased with herself. “Good,” she replies. “You still remember me.”

I slide into the driver’s seat and shut the door. My fingers rest against the steering wheel while I stare through the windshield toward the street. “What do you want?”

“Oh, don’t start like that,” Cindy whines. “We haven’t spoken in years.”

I resist the impulse to hit something in front of me. “That was intentional.”

Her breath hitches with a faint laugh. “You’ve always been charming.”

My thumb taps once against the steering wheel. I already know she didn’t call to reminisce. “Say what you called to say.”

“Well,” she replies, voice bright with satisfaction, “you’ve been very busy lately.”

My brow tightens. “Have I.”

“Oh yes.”

There’s a brief pause, the kind people use when they know they’re about to land a blow. “Tell me,” she continues, “how is Athena?”

The name drops into the space between us.

I sit still for a moment then reach down and start the car without answering. The engine turns over quietly while the dashboard lights flicker on. “That’s none of your business.”