Unexpected Romance Read Free

Tonya put down the spatula and walked to her
sister-in-law. "I need a hug from my Paige."
    The
little girl giggled and held her arms out. Tonya took the girl from
Nic's arms and spun her around in a hug. Then they gave each other a
peck on the lips. Nicole took the child back, smiling at them the
whole time.
    Nicole
took one last look between Chris and Tonya.
    "Corey
said it would be okay if I ate here?" he asked.
    "Yep,
that's how it works," Nicole said over her shoulder.
    Chris
raised his eyebrows at Tonya with a grin. She rolled her eyes, but
couldn’t hold back a grin in response.
    He
leaned into the counter. "So what does one do for fun around
here?"

    Tony
sponged some water on Paige's back.
    Before
supper, Chris asked her what people their age, her age, did for fun.
    She
had nothing to say. She had a few acquaintances, other nanny's from
the park or playgroups. After two years living in Calgary, she hadn't
met anyone she'd consider a friend. She rarely went out on a Friday
night. She'd gone on one date, a single dad, twelve years her senior
and they didn't connect.
    She
was a total and utter socialization failure.
    When
Chris asked what she did for fun, she brushed it off, as if she had
been taking time to get to know the family she'd only known a short
time. Blah, blah, blah. Corey wanted to make up for lost time.
    In
reality, she was terrible at starting conversations with people. Not
like Chris, who barged in and demanded to hear her problems in life.
She'd wound up telling him an abbreviated version of her life story.
Something compelled her to confide in him. He was easy to talk with
and he was easy on the eyes. Most of all, he saw her, he sought her
out.
    What
did it matter? Like most players that came through the house, he'd
play a handful of games, few of which would actually be in the city.
When the team was done with him, they would send him back to the
"farm team", whatever that meant, or he'd get his own
place.
    So
there, she didn't care what really sexy Chris Boyd thought about her
lack of socialization. He was probably exactly like all the other
jocks she'd known over the years. A jerk and a waste of her time and
thoughts.
    "All
right, Miss Paige. Time to get dried off. Mom has a snack ready for
you downstairs."
    "Is
it ice-cream?"
    "I
don’t know, sweetheart." Probably not, but saying no would
lead to a tantrum. After today with Bethany Turner teething, she
couldn't deal with any more crying or screaming.
    She
helped Paige exit the tub and dressed her in pajamas. She delivered
the little girl to her doting parents and sister, who all kissed her.
    Jessa
held out her arms. "Look, I'm ready early tonight."
    "Well,
then we should go now, before something happens."
    They
were on their way to the door, when Chris popped up from somewhere.
"I thought you said you didn't go anywhere?"
    "I
thought you were playing games with Tanner. I'm driving Jessa to
gymnastics. It's not exactly a party."
    "Hey,
I love gymnastics,” Jessa said.
    "If
I could touch my toes, I'd probably love the sport as well. I drive,
I watch people do things that look cool and I come home.”
    "Well,
it's out of the house. So I'm coming. Wait for a second. My coat's in
my room."
    Tony
looked at Jessa and gave a groan. "He's seriously going to come
with us to gymnastics?"
    "He's
really cute, y'know, for an older guy."
    Yeah
right. “He’s no Colton,” Tony muttered.
    Jessa
glared at Tony. "You like him. I can tell him for you.”
    “ Alright,
no more remarks about your crush.”
    “ He
likes you. You should date him.”
    Before,
Tony could smack down that idea, Chris returned. "Date who?"
He looked between Jessa and Tony.
    "No
one." Tony clenched her teeth, praying Jessa would let it drop.
She grabbed the door handle.
    Her
stomach dropped when Jessa said. "You. Tonya needs someone. And
you smile at her. Most people only return her scowl."
    Tony
glared at Jessa. She leaned back. Oh hell, stop Jessa, for the
love of god, please stop , Tony