The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery

Author:Susan Mallery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-11-23T18:55:03+00:00

* * *

In her quest to have a man friend, Laurel made arrangements for Colton to fix a leaking faucet. She wouldn’t admit to her daughters that she’d loosened the fittings in the first place. Colton obliged and as per their plan, she suggested an impromptu dinner at Bill’s Mexican Food.

Halfway through the meal, she realized that despite the machinations involved with the evening, she and her girls were having a great time. Colton was relaxed and funny. Nothing seemed to faze him—not even Jagger and Ariana fighting over the last taco.

Laurel insisted they split it, which annoyed both of them.

“When I have kids I’m going to let them do whatever they want,” Jagger muttered, finishing her half.

“You say that now,” Colton told her. “But I doubt that’s really true. It’s not healthy to let kids do whatever they want. What if your three-year-old wants to play with fire?”

“That’s different.”

“Is it really?”

Jagger sighed. “You’re talking like a grown-up. You know what I meant.”

“I did.”

She laughed. “So you’re being annoying on purpose.”

“A little. It’s fun.”

Laurel smiled at her daughter. “Don’t forget, Colton has four sisters. He’s wise to your games.” She paused. “I guess to all our games.”

“Four sisters is a lot.” Ariana reached for a chip. “I only have one and that’s enough.”

“At least I’m older,” Jagger said. “I get to be bossy while you’re just annoying.”

“Am not.”

“Are, too!”

Laurel looked at Colton. “Was it like this at your house?”

“Times three or four.” He chuckled. “Don’t forget, I was the youngest, so they all found me annoying. When I was a baby, they thought I was fun, but by the time I was five, they were ready to be done with me and play with their friends.”

“Were you sad?” Jagger asked.

“For a while, but then I made friends of my own. Plus, my dad was always there for me. We would do things—just the two of us—like camping.”

Laurel saw the exact second Colton realized he shouldn’t have mentioned his father. He looked at her, his expression stricken. Before she could reassure him, Jagger spoke.

“Our dad left us.” Her voice was flat.

“He didn’t mean to go away,” Ariana said quietly. “But he did.”

“Of course he meant it,” Jagger snapped. “If he hadn’t meant it, he wouldn’t have done it.”

“That’s hard,” Colton said. “For both of you.”

“It is.” Ariana glanced at her sister. “Jagger’s mad all the time.”

“Not all the time.” Jagger pressed her lips together. “Paris told me that I’m using anger to hide what I really feel.” She turned to Laurel. “I don’t want to be sad all the time.”

“You don’t have to be and sometimes it’s okay to be angry.”

“I wish he didn’t go,” Ariana whispered. “Maybe he’ll come back.”

Jagger rolled her eyes. “Dads leave. It’s what they do. Men leave.”

“Not all of them.” Colton smiled at her. “My parents have been married for over forty years.”

Both girls stared at him.

“For real?” Jagger asked.

Ariana seemed equally impressed. “That’s a long time. Nearly forever.”

“It is, and they’re still in love.” He smiled at them.

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