Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,35
prepared to give an answer to that particular question. “She’s having a rough time right now,” she said instead. “She’s eight months pregnant, and her husband’s a Marine and is deployed.”
“How old is she?” Silver asked.
“Twenty-one. She was staying with her mom, but Alisha has three teenage boys and that was a lot. Garrick’s house is quieter, which is good, but I wonder if she’s feeling isolated.”
“She probably doesn’t have any friends here.” Pallas wrinkled her nose. “That would be hard. I mean it’s great for her to be with her dad, but it’s not the same as hanging out with people her own age.”
“It’s interesting you and Garrick both had kids when you were young,” Bethany said, then turned to Silver. “And you.”
“Teens will be teens,” Silver pointed out. “Hormones are powerful.”
So was fear, Wynn thought. She’d been so scared of losing Chas that she would have done anything to keep him with her. And he’d still left her. A pregnant girlfriend was no match for the lure of the next great ride.
She told herself that had happened a long time ago—that she was a different person and today would make different choices. While she knew all that was true, she still didn’t like what she’d done. It had taken a long time to forgive herself and move on.
She thought briefly of Garrick. He was trying so hard with his daughter. The more she got to know him, the more she liked him. Their kiss had been amazing and was something she would like to repeat—this time without the potential for interruptions.
“You should bring her next time,” Bethany said, pulling her daughter onto her lap. “Joylyn. I know we’re not her friends, but she might like hanging out with us. Plus with all the pregnancies we’ve been through, we would be a great resource.”
Everyone nodded as Bethany spoke.
“I’ll be sure to mention it to her,” Wynn said. “I think she’d like getting out of her dad’s house.” And some girl time just might help her attitude.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“THIS IS STUPID,” Joylyn grumbled as she slid out of Garrick’s SUV. “I don’t like board games, I can’t drink and the whole idea is dumb.”
“Monday nights at The Boardroom are a Happily Inc tradition,” he told his daughter. “You’ll have fun.”
She glared at him. “You can’t know that.”
“I can guess. Come on. Anything would be better than sitting home, alone in your room.”
“I hate what you want to watch on TV.”
“I’ve been asking you to pick the shows or movies, and you still want to stay in your room. Come on, Joylyn. Give game night a try.”
She sighed heavily, then nodded, following him inside.
He’d been inspired to invite his daughter to The Boardroom after hearing a couple of guys talk about it at work. He went every couple of weeks, when he thought about it. It was always a good time, but was more fun with someone. His first instinct had been to invite Wynn. He liked her, he’d liked kissing her and he wanted to spend more time with her. But even as he reached for his phone to call and invite her, he’d realized that taking Joylyn was probably a better idea.
While his daughter was slightly less sullen than she had been when she first showed up, she still wasn’t anything close to friendly. He was willing to make accommodations, but he wasn’t going to beg for her smiles or good humor. He’d taken Wynn’s advice and had assigned chores—something he’d assumed would lead to a fight. Instead, she’d agreed with only minor grumbling. Maybe a night out together could move them a little closer to being friends.
He held open the door for her, then followed her inside. As per usual, the place was crowded. The Boardroom always pulled in a lot of locals, but Monday night was a favorite and the tournaments were popular.
Customers were three deep at the bar and most of the tables were full. As he looked around for empty seats, several people called out greetings. His friend Jasper walked by with two beers in his hands.
“Hey, Garrick. You’re welcome to sit with us, if you’d like.” He smiled at Joylyn. “I’m Jasper.”
“Joylyn. I’m, ah, Garrick’s daughter.”
Jasper smiled at her. “I figured. You’re too pretty and smart to go out with an old guy like your dad.” He tilted his head. “Come on. We’re this way.”
They reached the table. Renee was already there, casually dressed in jeans and a green shirt. She smiled at Joylyn.