The Elaborate Parent Trap

Chapter Thirteen

"Do you think Matt will hate it?" Chris asked, touching the foils in her hair.

"Please Tink. You could walk in bald with a garbage bag on and that man would still trip over himself to get to you. What we should do though, is update your lingerie collection." Echo pointed out. "I know it's too soon, but we may as well while we're out without Jade."

"What's wrong with what I own?" Chris asked.

"Nothing Tink. I was just thinking, you know, something new, for something new." Echo shrugged.

"Good point and I mean... It would be good to be prepared I guess." Chris nodded.

"That's my girl. Hair, nails, and lingerie. Oooh Tink. He's not going to know what to do with himself. Also, the answer is already yes. I will watch the kids when it comes time." Echo smirked.

Chris barked a laugh. "I think that may be a while yet. We've only been on one date. I don't want him to think I'm only trying to get into his pants. I mean, I wouldn't complain but I'm also in no rush." Chris sighed. "To be honest, he is a huge gentleman. To an extent." Chris snickered. This morning I had a shower at his place, and he went downstairs, so when I got out, I was drying my hair in the mirror in his room when he walked in and I was only in a towel. He didn't say anything other than apologize for not knocking on his own bedroom door. He was staring until I ran back for the bathroom, but he was still very gentlemanly." Chris smiled.

"Chris stop." Echo groaned. "You're making me jealous."

"Sorry." Chris laughed. "This is all just so surreal. Like did my eight-year-old really set me up with her best friends' dad? On fucking purpose?" Chris laughed.

"Don't be sorry Tink. You deserve this. It's been so long. I mean when you finally moved down here, you dated what? Once? Five years ago? Bug just wants to see you happy and so do I." Echo told her. "It's just a bonus he looks like this. Hot DAYUM Tink." Echo exclaimed as she opened Revolver magazine, to a story on the band.

"He is gorgeous." Chris smiled dreamily. "You know I had no idea who he was until he mentioned it when we ran into each other at the pizza place months ago?" Chris laughed. "But really. We've been on one date and this man already makes me so happy. Is that crazy?" Chris asked.

"Let me see if I can explain this. I'm a photographer, so I can tell the difference between a fake smile and a genuine one." Echo explained. She dug through the magazine stand and handed her the paper. "This is from five or six months ago, before you met. This," She said handing her the one she was just looking at. "Just came out yesterday. Look at his smile Tink. You can see it lights up his eyes again, his dimples on full display." Echo explained.

Chris looked closely and she could see the difference, she just couldn't believe it was because of her. This man, who could have any woman in the world, spent so much time getting to know her before they let anything happen between them. "Don't do that Tink. I can HEAR you overthinking." Echo told her.

"It's just hard to believe a man like him wants me. You know? That and we only met in January and look how comfortable I am with him? I slept like the dead. I fell asleep on his chest on the couch and woke up in his bed this morning. On top of that, that was only our first date!" Chris exclaimed.

"Well, you'll just have to change that. Ask him out again." Echo shrugged.

"I feel bad pawning Jade off on you and River when the guys can't watch him. Matt and I don't want to have the kids join us for a while, so we don't break their hearts if it doesn't work. Ya know?" Chris explained.

"You aren't pawning her off Chris. You're doing something for yourself for once and you know I love both those kids. River stole my heart and Bug is my partner in crime. I will watch them anytime you need." Echo told her.