Susan Mallery Page 0,77
sell small plastic ants by the bag, so we’ll have those everywhere. I can get bug paper plates and cups. I’d buy plain goodie bags, then glue on ant cutouts. So far I’ve found Ant-Man soap, bug stickers and I wanted to talk to you about a flashlight. I found heat resistant stick-ons that I can cut into an ant shape so when they turn on the flashlight, there’s an ant on the wall.”
She grabbed her margarita and took a drink. “I’m hoping the weather will be nice enough that we can have the whole thing outside. I’d want to rent tables and chairs, if that’s okay with you. I have some game ideas, too, but it’s probably too soon to discuss those. So what do you think?”
He stared at her. “You’ve thought of everything. It sounds great. Yes, please, let’s do that.”
“Yay! What’s the budget?”
“Spend whatever you want.”
“You can’t say that. What if I go wild?”
“Then you go wild. I’m not worried. Sunshine, you use coupons when you do the grocery shopping. Those are not the actions of someone who is going to spend a thousand dollars on a kid’s birthday party. Also, a lot of what you’re describing is labor heavy, so time you’ll have to put in. I want to help. I’m pretty sure I could do some of the cutting and gluing.”
“I don’t know. It’s pretty tricky stuff.”
“Try me.” He smiled at her. “This is going to be Connor’s best party ever. The ones we threw him were much more low-key.”
“Is it too much?”
“No. It’s exactly right. You’re very creative. He’ll love everything you have planned for him.”
“Okay. Thanks for saying that.” She finished her drink and waited for the tequila to do its thing. “Do you mind if I ask you about Iris?”
Declan held her gaze. “Sure. What do you want to know?”
She thought he might have tensed a little as he spoke, but she couldn’t tell. “Was she an indoor kind of person? Not very physical or athletic? I don’t mean that in a judgy way.”
“I know you don’t.” He leaned back in his chair. “She was very much in her head. She worked in medical research and enjoyed reading and quiet activities.”
“That’s what I thought. You’re not like that and I don’t think Connor is, either.”
Declan raised his eyebrows. “He’s always going off to his room.”
“Sure. It’s what he knows. But he likes to be outside and run around, too. I think he needs a physical activity, like some kind of sport. I’m not sure what, but an organized team would be good for him. After the games he could hang out with the guys, learn the rules of male hierarchy and all that.”
“The rules of male hierarchy?” His voice was teasing. “What does that mean?”
“Oh, you know what I’m talking about. Don’t pretend you don’t. Guys have rules for how they interact with each other. We all see it. He needs to learn that. I’m not saying he’ll play pro ball, but it would be good for him.”
His humor faded. “It would. You’re right—I should have recognized that myself. Thank you, Sunshine.”
His voice was low and sexy. Appealing, she thought, as a little quiver took up residence in her belly. Declan was... He was... Nice. Just nice. As a father, as a man. She liked his smile and the way he talked and his sense of humor and how he was with Connor and...
No, no and no, she told herself. Not going there. She loved her job and she was not going to be that girl anymore. She was better than that.
“Were you into sports in high school?” he asked, drawing her back to the conversation.
“I was a cheerleader.”
“Of course you were. Great, now I’m picturing you—” He sat up and turned toward her. “I apologize. I never should have said that.”
He sounded horrified. Or maybe mortified. She didn’t know exactly what he’d been picturing, but it was fine with her.
“Don’t worry about it,” she told him.
“I don’t want to be like your TA.”
“Believe me, you have nothing in common with him.” She picked up her glass only to remember it was empty. Hmm, maybe the tequila had kicked in after all. Not that she felt drunk, just relaxed and less whiny.
“You should ask Phoebe out,” she said.
“That again?”
“Yes. It would be good for you.”
“I never should have discussed my personal life with you.”
“Or the lack of one?” she teased.
“That, too.”
She sat up and swung her legs down and put her bare