Dad in Training Read Free Page B

favorite principal.”
    Rob chuckled. “Am I getting a little apple-polishing here?” He threw his head back and laughed. “We’re heading out to pick up a bite. Want to join us?”
    Brent watched her face light up as her gaze drifted toward him.
    Her eyes grazed his. “Would you mind?”
    He wasn’t sure if the question was directed to him or Rob, so he didn’t respond. If he’d answered, she would have been able to tell he minded. She addled him, and he couldn’t control his attraction. On top of that, she asked too many questions, questions that dug into sensitive issues. Brent played in today’s game to get away from the tension. Here she was with her innocent face digging up problems he preferred buried.
    Rob’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Mind? Not at all, I invited you.”
    She didn’t shift her gaze from his, and an uneasy feeling crawled up Brent’s back. His reservation got lost in her dazzling green-flecked hazel eyes. “Where are we going?” He turned his question to Rob.
    “How about National Coney Island? It’s not far. North on Dixie Highway.” He shifted from Brent to Molly. “Sound okay?”
    Molly shrugged. “It’s fine with me.”
    If he could only think of a good reason to—no, he couldn’t. If he backed out, Rob would make a big deal out of it and want to know why. He tossed the possibility around in his mind, but when he opened his mouth, he heard himself agree.
    Rob clapped his palms together. “Great. Let’s go. I need something cold to drink.” He mimed a swig from an imaginary bottle.
    Brent watched him lead the way with Molly at his side, flustered by her slender figure, the ponytail and her flawless skin. She bounced along with each step while he trudged behind her, his shoulders tensing with anticipation, and his heart jigging faster than his plodding feet. He despised the absurd feeling.
    Molly climbed into a red SUV while he settled into his ebony sports car. She belonged in something flashy and fun like a sports car. He belonged…where? Something solid, he supposed, but definitely not red. Black fit him better.
    He sank into the leather seats, questioning his sanity and shaking his head as if the motion could knock some sense into him. He didn’t get involved with women. He didn’t have time, and his life was too complicated already.
     
    Molly watched the dark sports car flash past her, raising dust from the parking lot. She gripped the steering wheel, wondering if she was making a mistake. Brent didn’t seemeager for her company, although why should he? Maybe if he got to know her better, he’d recognize her sincerity about her work.
    Her back rigid with purpose, Molly drove away from the park and headed north on Dixie Highway. All she’d wanted to do is get to know more about his empty building. She winced, knowing that that was only part of the truth.
    How could she introduce the subject of his building during their conversation? With her determination, she would make a blue-ribbon effort.
    Sunlight beat against her arm and glinted in her eye, and she adjusted the visor. She’d felt as sunny as the sky while she watched the game, hoping she’d have a chance to talk with Brent, but now her hope darkened like a storm cloud. Brent could easily evade her questions again.
    Maybe she’d read more into things than there was. She remembered Adam’s comment the day before. The boy had said dogs weren’t like people. They sure weren’t. Dogs were honest. That’s one of the things she loved about them. No pretenses. They let her know immediately how they felt about her. They either wagged their tail and licked her hand or bared their teeth. She never had to guess with a dog.
    With her pretext of cheering on the game, she’d been deceiving. Brent was no different. She closed her muddled thoughts and turned into the restaurant parking lot. Guessing got her nowhere. Brent and Rob stood outside the restaurant entrance waiting for her. Molly parked and headed