Page 48 of A Lifetime of Afters
“A man who looks like that, tall, lean, wide shoulders, that rockstar hair, those eyes, in a profession where he’s caring for small children? I bet all the single moms are all over him.”
“So, it’s an ovary thing,” he groused.
“It’s an ovary thing,” I agreed.
“And ovaries don’t get excited about psychologists I’m guessing?”
I gave him a mock sympathy face. “They shrivel up into little raisins and spitball messages to the vagina warning of a drought.”
“I’m going to warm up the car,” he grumbled. “You laugh but it’s a problem. The next woman I meet who has potential, I’m not telling her what I do.”
“That’s unethical,” I called after him.
“Only if she’s a patient!” he yelled back.
Pulling out my cell phone, I quickly texted Harley to give her the news. Hoping she’d finally broken up with Paul.
No such luck. Paul was the first person I saw when I walked in with Dad and Max. Coming out of the bathroom, he was still tucking in his shirt. I shuddered. I had no idea what Harley saw in him.
Him wanting her, I could understand. Based on the way he treated her and the asinine things he said, he had no comprehension of his good fortune.
“Don’t shake hands,” I murmured to Max.
He grimaced as Paul strode forward with his hand extended. “Max, how are you?”
Telling Paul that Max was a psychologist and could not help but analyze everyone he met was a stroke of genius on my part. It ensured an Oscar-worthy performance every time they crossed paths.
“I wish I had popcorn,” I murmured.
Max slanted me a dirty look while Paul grabbed his hand and pumped it aggressively, adding a slap to his back to round out the ‘good ole boy, I’m an Alpha, you’re an Alpha, wouldn’t you like to be an Alpha, too’ routine.
I hummed the old Dr. Pepper tune under my breath, knowing Max would understand.
“Hello, Paul,” I said as I moved away. “Point me in Harley’s direction?”
“You can’t miss her,” he joked. “She looks like a cherry.”
He elbowed Max. “You know, round and juicy? She’s wearing a red dress that's probably a size or two too small but with an ass like that? I’m not complaining!”
“You do realize Harley is like a sister to me, right Paul?”
He laughed heartily, “She’s not like a sister to me, man.”
Max’s smile did not reach his eyes.
I thought to warn Paul to brace for his imminent evisceration, but he deserved whatever Max dealt out. The man had his limits.
I slipped away just as Paul realized his error.
Searching for both Harley and Hawk, I spied Daire instead. He’d just walked through the doors and was immediately flanked on either side by the high schoolsenior girls we hired to help with the event.
I laughed out loud.
He must have heard me because his chin lifted, and he found me. When he smiled, I remembered it wasn’t just Harley who had a crush.
“Daire! Lovely to see you,” I gushed, rescuing him from his teenage admirers. “You didn’t bring your husband with you this evening?”
His eyes glinted with amusement. “Now, Noelle, you know I’m not married anymore,” he teased.
