Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“I like the other way better. More fun.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ryder shift in his seat.
“Why are elbows called elbows?” Kaylee asks.
Ryder throws his head back and mutters, “Holy mother of Jesus, are we almost there?”
“Almost,” I sing.
I pull into the parking lot of the playground we’re meeting at today and find a parking space near the entry.
Kaylee clicks herself out of her booster seat and moves like lightning to get out of the car and run across the field to where a group of women crowd around picnic tables.
“And she’s gone,” Ryder says as we climb out to follow her.
“Yeah. I’ve been trying to get her not to do that, but she gets too excited and doesn’t think. She definitely keeps me on my toes.”
“You and me both.”
We watch as Kaylee runs off with two other children to climb the jungle gym.
“So, who’s this Wicker kid, and how judgy are we over that name?”
“Hey, just because you refuse to conform to celebrity norms and name your child something weird doesn’t mean you get to judge others.”
Ryder narrows his gaze at me.
I laugh. “I’m fucking with you. We judge very much. But he’s a good kid. The mom is your typical gluten-free, sugar-free, all organic type of mom.”
“Ah.”
We move toward the table where the moms and other nannies are sitting and watching the kids play.
Ryder adjusts his cap, and I can tell he’s holding his breath as we reach them.
I put the plate of celery and carrot sticks in the middle of other snacks. “Hey, everyone, this is Kaylee’s dad—”
It starts with a gasp. And then another.
And now all eyes are on him.
I’m sure he’s used to this, but I wonder if it ever gets any easier.
“Hey, I’m Ryder.”
They stare blankly at him.
“If you’re pausing for me to say my last name, I won’t.”
I get what he means. Thinking of Ryder as just Ryder has been an adjustment. It’s hard not to add Kennedy to the end.
“He’s only Ryder. Nothin’ special.” I shrug.
Ryder tilts his head in my direction. “Really? That’s what you’re going with?”
I turn to the group. “If you tell him his music is bad, he’ll give you a job.”
Kathy widens her eyes at me. “Lyric Jones, please tell me you didn’t do that?”
“I soooo did, but it worked out for me.”
“What can I say? There’s something about Lyric’s bluntness I like.”
Kathy nods. “He does have a certain way of charming us all, which is why he gets away with bringing the easiest share platter.”
I grin. “I’m unapologetically me.”
The mom I told Ryder about approaches him. “I’m Ria, Wicker’s mom.”
Ryder glances at me over her head with a knowing smirk. “Nice to meet you.”
“Welcome to playgroup.”
“I was under the impression playgroup was more like a classroom thing.”
“Oh, we have classroom days too,” I say.
“We’re what we like to call a pop-up playgroup,” Ria says, “so each day we do something different. You came on a fun day where the kids get to play and us single parents get a break.”
I don’t miss the way she emphasizes the word single, and my automatic response is to frown.
Ryder’s all charm as he asks about what other activities the kids do. The women flock to him, and ugh, ugh, ugh.
I knew they might be a bit crazy because he’s Ryder Kennedy. I didn’t even think about them all trying to get into his pants.
Doesn’t take a genius to work out I’m jealous.
My wee little crush on my boss might have an ugly side.
“I was so devastated when Eleven broke up,” Ria says.
Ryder shifts uncomfortably. “I’m, uh, sorry about that.”
“Was it really a big fight like they say?” Kathy says.
The forced smile on my boss’s face says it all. “No, it really wasn’t. The others were ready to move on, and I was ready to focus on Kaylee.”
“Because her mom’s not in the picture? What’s her deal?” Ria asks.
“Whoa,” I cut in. “I told him you were all cool. Don’t make me take that back.”
“Sorry,” Ria whispers.
“I’m gonna go check on Kaylee,” Ryder says, maybe a bit too loudly.
As he walks away, I turn to them. “I like coming to this playgroup. Please don’t make it so awkward I have to find a new one for Kaylee.”
“Sorry,” everyone murmurs.
“It’s …” Kathy watches Ryder’s retreating form and lowers her voice. “It’s Ryder Kennedy. My inner teenager is squealing.”
“You’re married,” I point out.
“I have a hall pass.” Kathy winks.
“I’m not married,” Ria says.
I wave my finger, pointing at all of them. “Don’t make me go get some cold water. Ryder told me he hasn’t dated since Kaylee’s mom, so put your hormones away.”
Ria gasps. “He doesn’t date? Ever? That’s such an injustice to all womankind.”
And I’m out. “I’m gonna go check on Kaylee too.”
“We’ll behave,” Kathy says. “We promise.”
I wave them off and move toward Ryder anyway.