A Girl's Guide to Moving On (New Beginnings #2) - Debbie Macomber Page 0,29
catch.
Me: U want me to give him UR contact info?
Shawntelle: Do bears poop in the woods?
Me: U got it.
I was still smiling when I picked up Owen from daycare, and I had just walked into my apartment when my phone rang. Owen charged into the apartment as I pressed the cell to my ear.
“We still on for tonight?” Rocco asked, sounding none too happy.
“Yeah. You’re not canceling, are you?”
He snickered. “Do you seriously think Kaylene would let me?”
I smiled, knowing that if he backed out now he’d never hear the end of it. “You’re right. Do you like wieners and homemade macaroni and cheese? If you don’t, bring your own dinner, because that’s what I’m serving.”
“I’ll eat anything I don’t have to cook myself,” he assured me. “I feel bad. I shouldn’t have asked you to make dinner when you’re the one doing Kaylene and me a favor.”
“Hey, a deal’s a deal. I agreed, so come around six with an appetite and then be prepared to work it off.”
Background noise filtered over the phone and I didn’t hear what Rocco said next. “Sorry, I didn’t get that.”
“Probably better you didn’t,” he grumbled.
“Okay, see you and Kaylene at six.” I was about to disconnect when I remembered Shawntelle’s avid interest in hooking up with Rocco. “Rocco,” I said hurriedly.
“Yeah?”
“One of the women at Dress for Success saw you and is interested. Do you want me to pass along your contact info?”
He chuckled. “This is a joke, right?”
“No, I’m serious. Her name’s Shawntelle. She’s a whole lot of woman and has got the personality to match.”
He didn’t answer, and at first I didn’t think he’d heard me. “Rocco? Did you get that?”
“Got it.”
“And?” I didn’t want to pressure him, but I knew Shawntelle would bug me until she had an answer.
“No thanks.”
“Okay, I’ll tell her. See you later.”
His response was unintelligible, but he sounded gruff, as if he was annoyed. I guessed this whole dance-lesson business had put him in a bad mood. When we first spoke he sounded like he was in good spirits, and then he’d gone all quiet and pensive on me. He might not have appreciated me trying to set him up.
By six I had dinner nearly ready. The cheese sauce was simmering on the stove and the pasta water was at the boiling point. I had brussels sprouts that I’d boiled and then sautéed in butter and garlic.
Owen was full of energy. My son got down on his knees and was driving his trucks across the living room floor and making loud noises when the doorbell rang.
It could only be Rocco and Kaylene. I greeted them and saw that Rocco wasn’t in any better mood than he had been earlier. He carried a six-pack of beer in one hand and a bottle of white wine in the other.
“You ready for this?” I asked, enjoying myself. Rocco looked like a complete grump.
“I’m ready,” Kaylene answered enthusiastically.
Owen jumped up and ran to greet our guests, tilting his head back as far as he could go without falling backward in order to look up at Rocco.
“Owen, you remember my friend Rocco, don’t you?”
Owen nodded and Rocco stuck out his hand for Owen to bump. My son grinned and they bumped fists.
“This is Rocco’s daughter, Kaylene.”
Owen immediately grabbed hold of Kaylene’s hand. “Come see my twucks.” His lisp was becoming more pronounced lately. I was concerned, but Jake felt sure he’d grow out of it.
Looking at Rocco with fresh eyes, I had to agree Shawntelle was right; he really was a gorgeous man, something I hadn’t appreciated until now. “You ready to boogie?” I joked.
He scowled at me. “Whatever.”
“Dad,” Kaylene growled. “Attitude check.”
“Attitude check?” I repeated.
“Yeah, Dad says that to me all the time.” She was down on the floor with Owen.
“What happened to put you in such a sour mood?” I asked.
Rocco followed me into the kitchen, set down the six-pack, and opened up one for himself. He held one out to me, but I declined.
“Nothing’s wrong with me,” he countered after taking a deep drink of the beer. “I wasn’t excited about this dance lesson earlier; why should I be any more so now?”
“It’ll be fun, I promise.”
He’d set the wine bottle on the counter next to the beer. I knew a few high-end wines because Jake worked as the head of sales for one of the more prestigious wine companies in Oregon. This bottle wasn’t one of the cheaper brands.