Page 131 of So This Is War
“Giselle, nice to meet you, but to be fair, I’m not even sure my dad has a sex drive at this point. Unless I don’t know anything, I think he’s been celibate for nearly my entire life. The man doesn’t know what touching is.”
She smiles softly. “Hmm, okay. Well, it seems like maybe he does because this isn’t the first time it’s happened.”
I sit taller in my seat. “Excuse me? He’s touched you before?”
“Several times and they were always subtle, but this last time just felt like something was there so I was going to slip my number on a napkin. Think that’s too much?”
“I mean . . .” I blink a few times. “If you think there’s something there, might as well go for it, but don’t be alarmed if he doesn’t call you.”
“I won’t take offense.” She smiles. “Thank you. I know this was probably awkward, but I just wanted to make sure he was free game before I slipped my number to him. A few flight attendants don’t care about that and will hand out their numbers to players, but I never want to be that person.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah.”
Feeling curious, I ask, “Anyone in particular?”
She looks up the aisle and says, “Uh, a few here and there, but they mainly go to Levi Posey.”
Figured that’s what her answer would be.
“Ah, my boss,” I say.
“Levi is your boss?”
I nod. “I’m his assistant.”
“Wow, well, Jessica handed him her number today, so be prepared for that.”
“Jessica, the blonde up front?” I ask.
Giselle nods. “Yes, she’s had her eye on him for a while and finally got the nerve to hand over her number.”
“Did he take it?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. Thanked her with a wink. She’s more than excited about the possibility of what might happen.”
“I’m sure,” I say as a sour feeling fills my gut. “I’ll be sure to help her any way that I can.” I smile.
“Ooo, I’ll be sure to tell her that. Thanks again for the chat. You’re really cool . . . uh, what’s your name?”
“Wylie,” I reply.
“Such a cute name. Well, it was nice meeting you, Wylie.”
“You too, Giselle, and who knows, maybe you’ll be my new stepmom one day.”
She pauses for a moment, then lets out a nervous laugh. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
“I like presents on my birthday and Christmas, plus cards on holidays with cash. Don’t disappoint me.”
She chuckles again and stands taller. “We’ll see, Wylie.” And with that, she takes off down the aisle, the sway in her ass drawing the attention of some of the men on the plane.
Well, that was . . . not what I expected.
I stare out the window, the puffy clouds passing by as I think about a lady handing my dad her number. Do I care if my dad dates someone? Absolutely not. I honestly think he should. Maybe he wouldn’t be so irritable all the time. And maybe he does have fun outside of being home. Then again, he takes hockey so seriously that he doesn’t even like it when his players hook up on away trips, so why would he do it himself?
The thought of my dad being a flirt makes me almost dry-heave. I can’t imagine it. I can’t imagine him being any other way than stern with a pinch in his brow. But who knows, maybe he just saves that demeanor for little old, lucky me.
