Home > Bumbled Love(8)

Bumbled Love(8)
Author: Lila Rose

It would be better for Reagan and Carter if we were friends. That was what I kept reminding myself when she rocked up in a simple sweater and jeans, which seemed to hug—

No, I wasn’t going there.

Unlocking the front door, I slipped in and made my way down the hall when I heard giggling. At the mouth of the hall to the living room, I stopped. I hadn’t even seen my ex’s car out front; I’d been too keen to get inside. Yet, there she was, sitting on the floor with what looked like Play-Doh eyebrows.

“Pizza,” I called.

Emily’s gaze lifted, and she smiled. I was lucky to have a good relationship with her after our breakup. Benjie jumped up from the middle of the women and ran at me with Play-Doh sideburns, but I noticed Brooke had turned to face me with a Play-Doh mustache.

Smiling, I braced as Benjie knocked into me with a hug. “Looks like you guys are having fun.”

“We are.” Benjie nodded, his gaze on the pizza boxes. The women got busy removing their facial hair and putting them in the containers.

Tapping Benjie’s nose, I told him, “Go help pack up the Play-Doh and then wash up before we eat.”

With a quick nod, he raced back over to the coffee table and helped while I ducked into the kitchen to put the pizzas down. When I got back into the living room, Emily stood and brushed off her pants. “I better get going. Benjie, give Momma a kiss, and I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

Benjie did, along with a tight hug.

Brooke quickly bounced up. “I’ll walk out with you and leave these two to dinner.”

It didn’t slip by me that she kept looking away from me.

“No, Miss Brooke. You have to stay for dinner. Please, please, please stay so you can read me a book later.”

Good job, Benjie. I wanted to chuckle and rub my hands together like an evil villain would. My plan was working.

Emily smiled down at our son and met my gaze. She nodded, to what I wasn’t sure. She looked back to Brooke. “You can’t say no to that, right?”

I hadn’t expected help from my ex. Though, I was grateful for it.

Brooke nibbled on her plump bottom lip, and my cock gave a jerk in my jeans in response. Her eyes flicked to me and back down to Benjie. “I’m not sure—”

“There’s plenty of pizza,” I added.

Her brows dipped. I could tell she wanted to run, but as she looked back down to Benjie, who had his hands clasped in front of him silently begging, her expression softened.

“Okay. I’ll stay for pizza, but then I’ll have to see what the time is. I’ll need to get some rest for work tomorrow.”

“What do you do?” Emily asked.

“I’m a high school counselor. It can be challenging sometimes.”

Emily snorted. “I bet.”

“What about you?” she asked, like they were starting a new friendship and bonding.

Why hadn’t she ever asked me questions?

“I’m in real estate.”

Before they could continue this little chummy chat, I butted in. “Em, didn’t you have to get going?”

“Oops, you’re right. Dustin, walk me out.”

“Sure.”

“It was lovely to meet you, Brooke.”

“You also, Emily.”

Emily bent and kissed Benjie on the cheek, and with another tight hug, she started for the door, and I followed. When she stepped outside, she turned back. “Benjie adores her, Dustin.”

“You’re not worry—”

She waved me off. “No. I think it’s great. She’s a sweetheart with him. I really like her.”

“Good. She enjoys spending time with Benjie, and I trust her with him if I need to go to some event or something. Saves me leaning on you all the time when it’s not even your turn to have him.”

“You know I don’t care, and I agree, she is trustworthy. Is there anything between you two?”

A lot of exes didn’t get along, but Emily and I got together when we were young, and I think that was what burnt us out. We’d loved each other, but in the end the love was more for a friend than a partner or lover. She would always be in my life, and I couldn’t help but be thankful, because she was a great woman. We were open with each other, which was how I knew she’d started seeing someone, but Benjie hadn’t met him yet.

Shaking my head, I admitted, “She’s a good friend with Carter’s woman—”

“Carter has a woman?” She gaped.

Chuckling, I leaned against the doorsill. “Well, not yet, but he’s a goner for her. I’m trying to get on Brooke’s good side and become friends since we’ll be in their lives no doubt.”

Emily crossed her arms over her chest. “What did you do?”

“I— What?”

“Brooke seems pretty easygoing. What do you mean you’re trying to get on her good side? Was there a bad side to begin with?”

Sighing, I scrubbed a hand over my face. “There was a small misunderstanding.”

“Dustin.”

Quickly, I rambled, “She thought I had asked her out, but I already had a date set and I’d intended her to mind Benjie. I didn’t realize until a few days later.”

Emily winced.

“Exactly my reaction when I figured it out.”

Emily reached out and patted my arm. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

“And there’s nothing else you want besides friendship with her?”

No. Yes. Maybe were the first words in my head.

“Friendship right now.”

“Well, you better get in there and work your charm. Just don’t overdo it and act like a douche.”

Scoffing, I spread my arms wide. “When do I act like a douche?”

Her brows rose before she started laughing and walking off.

“Real nice, Em.”

“Bye.” She waved over her shoulder.

Grumbling under my breath about not being a douche, I made my way back down the hall and into the living room. Only no one was about. I walked into the kitchen and found them sitting at the counter with plates of pizza in front of them.

“Was there something you liked?” I went over and flipped a box open, drawing my own plate close to pile it with some meat lovers. When Brooke didn’t answer, I looked at her. Brooke’s gaze roamed over me with heat to her cheeks.

Interesting.

Did that mean she liked what she saw?

Fuck it, of course she did. I knew I was appealing to the opposite sex. I couldn’t help but flex a little as I drew some pizza up to my mouth. Not that I was supposed to flex; friends didn’t do that for each other.

“Miss Brooke liked the Hawaiian one like me.” Benjie beamed at Brooke, who smiled back, redder than before.

“Good to know.” I winked at Benjie. “How come Momma was here?” I’d forgotten to ask Emily.

Benjie glanced away. “I forgot Bugs.”

Leaning over the counter, I tapped his nose. “Make sure you double-check everything. Saves Momma coming this way, yeah?”

“I will,” he said a little solemnly and took a small bite of his slice. I noticed he’d managed two pieces already.

“Good, kiddo. Though, at least it was good Brooke and Momma got to meet this time.”

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