Mystery Of You (Pub 5)

15 - Second Date

Ainsley sat next to Ian and tried not to listen to his phone call. He said he and his dad were close, but something was off. A tantrum in front of them distracted both from his call.

Ainsley mumbled, "Go ahead. Give in. Give the kid another cookie. She needs more sugar."

It wasn't the child who bothered her so much but the parents. They had an accusatory look at each other. A few curt words were exchanged, and she imagined they were once in love like Lilli and Zach until a child turned them into foes. She didn't see the point.

Ian hissed. "Stop. This is awkward."

"If they fight, I'm going to give the kid a piece of candy."

He looked at her. "You have candy?"

"Oh, shoot no. I left my bag at home."

"Didn't need a change of shoes?"

"Well, heels would look nice sitting on this bench, but a bit trampy with my jeans."

Ian laughed and shook his head. "You are unlike any girl I've met with the way you make fun of yourself. You would make fun of my sister."

A thrill ran through her at the thought of meeting his family. She ignored it and snickered. "I make fun of my sister all the time. She's a princess and married a man who treats her like one. I wonder if a crying child will unravel the perfect couple."

"Do they have a kid?"

"Not yet, but my guess is soon."

Ian looked out at the view of the park. The child had moved on with her frazzled parents. "I like kids. My aunt and uncle have done a great job balancing their careers with parenting. Although I'm guessing there have been some conflicts. I always thought of myself as borrowing a kid for the day not raising one. Maybe it comes from my dad who had me on vacations then he returned to his bachelor ways. Except for now."

"Now? You aren't a kid to have custody of."

"No, but he is not acting like a bachelor anymore."

His frown made her pause a moment. "Really is that such a bad thing? Is he happy?"

Ian nodded. "He's happier than I remember. I never thought he was unhappy before. I was put off earlier. Maybe I'm like that little girl."

Ainsley cocked her head. "I'm sure you weren't like that little girl." She smiled. "Or I'd be running in the other direction."

He frowned but his eyes sparkled. "And I couldn't catch you."

"Would you want to?" What was she asking?

"I think I would. Would you want me to?"

"It depends on your temper tantrum." Her thoughts were a dichotomy because she wasn't looking for serious, but she didn't want baggage. In this case, it was daddy baggage.

"It wasn't a tantrum. I was a little put off. For years, Saturday brunch is our thing. In fact, it's become the only regular time we see each other. It doesn't happen every week, but it's regular enough. Even when I was with my ex."

"Suburbia girl."

He nodded. "I went alone."

"So you crawled out of a warm bed to have brunch with your dad?"

He nodded. "To be fair. Brunch is at ten-thirty. There was plenty of morning prior."

She blushed, but liked how he didn't hide his sex life. "Okay. So almost lunch. But."

"Today I arrived to find his woman friend sitting with him."

She smiled. "You're so cute. Jealous because daddy has a girlfriend."