The Summer of No Attachments (The Summer Friends #2) - Lori Foster Page 0,14
“I’m pretty nuts about him, too.”
Chapter Three
Hearing Justin call him Dad was like a powerful punch to the heart, leaving Corbin raw. The tree house hadn’t done it, nor the bike or even the thought of a boat.
But that little dog had done the trick.
He watched the careful way Justin explored the scar on the dog’s leg, tracing it with his fingertips. Emotion damn near took out his knees. One day, he’d be able to show his son how much he loved him, but his plan was to go slow, to give Justin time to adjust, to let things happen in their own way. Too many decisions had been taken from Justin already: a new parent he didn’t know, a new place to live. A new way of life.
He deserved to make some decisions for himself, like what dog he wanted to adopt...and what to call Corbin.
Today felt like they’d made incredible strides.
“Why don’t we leave him to get better acquainted while you and I talk?” Ivey asked.
Corbin realized they stood very close together, his arm around her, his hand open on her narrow back...and she didn’t seem to mind. He’d been so absorbed watching Justin, he’d reacted without thinking. Touching her had seemed right, natural, even necessary, so he had.
Since discovering he had a son, women hadn’t factored much into his thoughts or plans. He’d been too intent on figuring out the future and all the ways he wanted to make life better and more secure for his son.
But now? With this particular woman?
He liked Ivey a lot.
Her smile made him want to get even closer. So many things about her drew him. The fact that she liked Justin obviously helped, but it was more than that. Though she seemed to consider it a fault, her refreshing bluntness amused him. It was appealing how she openly cared for Hope. He appreciated her focus on animals, her contributions to the community. So many people had already sung her praises.
And she was currently unattached.
Added to all that was her unique but appealing looks. He liked the vibrant way she smiled, how she often fussed with her wildly curling hair and how her slender hands moved when she talked.
Turning to face her, Corbin dropped his hand. “Lead the way.”
“We’re going just inside,” Ivey explained to Justin. “You’ll be all right for a few minutes?”
In a mumble, he protested, “I’m not a baby.”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t even consider allowing a baby to take Daisy.”
Good answer, Corbin thought, impressed with how quickly Ivey had replied.
Nose wrinkling, Justin looked up to ask, “Is her name really Daisy?”
His disgust made Corbin grin. “You don’t like it?”
Flashing a guilty look at Ivey, he said, “Not really.”
“What would you name her?” Ivey asked.
“Something cool.” His mouth twisted to the side while he considered options. “If she was a guy dog, I’d name her Freddy, like Freddy Krueger.”
Corbin stalled.
Ivey, bless her, merely laughed as she walked back toward Justin. “You know that movie?”
“I’ve seen every horror movie there is.”
“You have, huh?” Sitting down on the grass with him, she asked, “Alien?”
“All the Alien movies. I liked Alien vs. Predator best, though.”
“Oh, that’s my fave as well. I love that they combined two awesome franchises.”
More engaged than Corbin had ever seen him, Justin sat up a little straighter. “Since she’s a girl, I couldn’t name her Freddy, but I could have named her Ripley.”
“Ripley is amazing, right?” Now Ivey wrinkled her nose. “I wish they hadn’t killed her off. I was really bummed about that.”
“Yeah, me, too. They could bring her back though...or is she too old now?”
“Sigourney Weaver? Pfft. She could still pull it off.”
Corbin felt like an outsider. He didn’t mind, since Justin was so engaged. But seriously, Ivey liked horror movies? He was more an action flick–type guy. He knew Justin was into them, it was one of the things his mother had explained right off.
Stick him in front of the TV with a horror channel and he won’t bother you.
So far, Corbin and Justin had kept busy with other activities. Never, ever, would he let Justin think he was a bother.
His brother, Lang, got into the whole horror genre, but for some reason, it surprised him that Ivey did, too.
Justin screwed up his face in deep thought. “There aren’t as many girls in horror.”
“What about Alice from Resident Evil?”
Justin shook his head. “I know a girl named Alice and she’s not nice.”