Catch 'n' Kiss (Are You Game?) (15 page)

Jody had to prompt both girls to say hi before they followed Dan deeper into the house.

Amy walked ahead of her, bouncing along right behind Dan and asking a million questions while Leigh dragged her feet about ten paces behind Jody. The two couldn’t be more polar-opposite in mood if they tried. Resigned to spending the evening with grumpy and happy, she hoped Dan didn’t mind sharing his time on the teenage emotional roller coaster with her.

“Wow. Leigh, you have to come see this.” Amy disappeared into a room at the end of the hall.

“Jeez, could she be any more juvenile?” Leigh muttered as she brushed past Jody and followed her sister through the doorway.

Jody raised one eyebrow at Dan. “What?”

His smile seemed shy and totally un-Dan like. “She’s found my electronic game collection.”

“Game collection?”

“Yeah, I have every one ever produced.” He shrugged. “I’ve been collecting them for years.”

She popped her head in the door to see the girls both had devices in their hands. “Hey, don’t touch—”

“No. It’s okay. They all work and they’re supposed to be played with,” Dan said.

“But what if they break them?”

He laughed. “If they’ve survived this long, I’m sure they’ll come out unscathed today. And if not I’ll just fix them.”

“You can do that?”

“Yep, washers aren’t the only thing I know how to repair.” Dan turned and walked into the kitchen. “The laundry is this way.”

Jody followed him through a gorgeous kitchen. Stainless-steel appliances, gloss-white cupboards and black-marble countertops made the space a cook’s dream. She’d love to have a kitchen like this, but on her budget that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. “This is amazing. You must cook up a storm in here.”

“Ah, yeah, no. I’m not much of a cook. My mum uses it when I host the family dinners though,” he called out from the room on the far side.

She joined him in an area far too fancy for a laundry. “My God, even the dirty clothes get a great room to hang out in.”

Dan looked around them then shrugged. “The people who remodelled the kitchen did the laundry and bathrooms as well. I got a cheaper deal getting them all done together.”

“Well, if these two rooms are anything to go by the bathrooms must be gorgeous.”

“Let’s get a load on and I’ll take you on a tour.”

Jody looked for somewhere to put the crock-pot in her arms.

“Here, I’ll take that into the kitchen while you sort your wash. Do I need to plug it in?” He took the heavy pot from her.

“No. It was just easier to grab the whole thing than pull out the inner pot and worry about burning something on it.”

“Okay, I’ll set the table while you get a load on.”

She watched him walk away and wondered what the hell she was doing in his house. She’d managed to sabotage her decision to keep her distance at every turn. Rolling her eyes at herself, she crouched down and began sorting the washing into lights and darks. By the time she’d thrown the lights in the machine, Dan was back, leaning against the doorjamb. His close scrutiny made her nervous, but that was nothing compared to the look in his eyes. They smouldered, the desire he felt for her going unchecked as he watched her.

“Um, I’m not sure how this works…”

Dan pushed off the wall and stalked towards her. Her pulse spiked and her breathing turned choppy—jagged. “Here, let me show you.” He crowded in close and leaned over her to press the buttons on the control panel. His breath fanned out over her neck, sending a shiver down her spine and goose bumps racing to catch up.

“Mum! Leigh won’t let me play with the Game Boy!” Amy yelled from out in the kitchen.

Jody jumped and Dan immediately moved away. When Amy came charging into the room they were no longer in a compromising position, and Jody turned her attention to her daughter.

“Please don’t yell, Amy.”

“But Leigh’s hogging the Game Boy and I want a turn.”

“You can have a turn when she dies or whatever it is that happens when a game is over.”

Dan laughed. “You obviously aren’t a game fan.”

“Well, no, not really.” Jody smoothed a hand over Amy’s hair. “We’ll be eating in a moment, so go tell you sister to put the game away and wash her hands.”

“There’s a bathroom across the hall from the games room, Amy,” Dan added.

“Sorry about that. They’ve been at each other’s throats since I walked in the door this afternoon.” She headed in the direction of the kitchen. “I better make sure there’s no blood spilled in your bathroom.”

Walking quickly, Jody made her way to find the girls and make sure they weren’t embarrassing her further by fighting over the soap.

Dan sat on his sofa in a death match with Amy. Leigh was sulking on the other side of the room with the Game Boy she hadn’t let out of her hands since she’d arrived. Momentarily distracted by the brooding teenager, the younger one took him out.

“Yes!” Amy pumped her fist in the air. “Die, sucker, die.”

“Language!” Jody called from the kitchen where she’d insisted on cleaning up after dinner.

“Fun police strikes again,” Leigh murmured.

Dan arched an eyebrow and looked at Amy who shrugged and said, “She’s pissed at Mum for making us come here tonight. Some guy from school was supposed to call and ask her out, but she’s not home to answer.”

“Amy! Shut up!” Leigh looked ready to launch across the room and strangle her sister.

“You two aren’t fighting again are you?” Jody asked from the doorway.

He glanced over and saw the frown on Jody’s face, the concern in her eyes, and tried to pacify her a little. “Amy beat me again. She’s a tough one.”

Jody smiled. “She always thrashes me at Wii bowling.”

Ah, so they did have a game console at home. “I didn’t know you played. I can hook up the Wii and challenge you to a game if you want.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m going to fold that first load of washing while the other takes its turn in the drier.”

When Jody left the room, he glanced back at Leigh who was still shooting daggers at Amy. “You think this guy won’t call back if you’re not there to pick up?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure he’ll call. He told his best friend who told my best friend, so it might not even be true.”

Dan could tell she wanted it to be, and while he wasn’t sure where Jody stood on the whole dating thing, he felt he should at least try to make Leigh feel better. “You know, if he likes you, really likes you, he’ll keep trying until he talks to you.”

Her face brightened. “You think so?”

“Definitely. But if he doesn’t, he’s not the guy for you.”

“Why not?” She’d gone on the defensive again, her brow wrinkling up in the same way Jody’s did when she was about to go to battle over something.

“Because if he’s not prepared to put in some effort to be with you, then he doesn’t deserve to spend time with you.”

“Oh, so I should play hard to get? That’s what Monica’s older sister said.”

“No, I just mean if he gives up after ringing you once then he obviously wasn’t that interested. But I’m betting he either talks to you at school tomorrow or rings tomorrow night.” He’d probably stepped over the line by giving Jody’s daughter dating advice. He’d have to tell her what they’d talked about before Leigh or Amy mentioned it to their mother. “Who wants some ice cream?”

“Me. Me. Me,” Amy chanted.

“Chocolate or vanilla?”

“Both.” She grinned at him and he couldn’t resist tweaking her pert nose.

“Hey.” She rubbed the tip with her hand.

“Leigh?”

“No, thanks. I don’t need the extra fat.”

Uh-oh, he wasn’t touching that comment with a ten foot barge pole. “Right. One bowl of chocolate
and
vanilla ice cream coming up.”

Dan quickly made up a bowl for Amy and took it back to the games room. Certain they were both occupied for the moment, he went in search of Jody to confess he’d blundered into a parent-type conversation with her eldest daughter. He might not be a father, but he was pretty sure he’d handled the discussion correctly. Hopefully, Jody thought the same.

He found her on the floor in the laundry. She had three piles of folded clothes around her. Hunkering down beside her, he picked up a shirt from the basket and attempted to fold it. Jody laughed and took it out of his hands.

“Give me that. Watch.” She grabbed the shirt under the armpits and shook it out. Then she folded the thing in half, bringing her hands together. After that, she tucked in the sleeves and folded it twice lengthways until it was a neat little square of fabric. “See. Easy.”

“Yeah, right,” he grumbled as he picked up another shirt to give it a try.

“How do you fold yours then?” she asked as she quickly made another neat square with a pair of shorts.

“I don’t. I hang them all up.” He dipped his chin close to his chest. “It’s easier.”

Smiling, she turned her head to look at him. “Why do men always take the easy way?”

“I can’t speak for all men, but I’m all for cutting corners where I can.”

“Yeah, cutting corners.” She snatched up a pair of shorts and snapped them out, making them crack like a whip.

“Hey, just because I cut corners with my laundry doesn’t mean I cut them everywhere.”

She let out a burst of air. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have implied you do.”

“Speaking of the easy way, I, um, may have overstepped the lines of our friendship just now with Leigh.”

Her gaze snapped up to his. “What?”

“Oh, wait, that didn’t sound right. Let me explain.”

She glared at him with narrowed eyes. “Go on.”

“Amy let it slip why Leigh has been sulking all night and we got into a conversation about some guy she thinks is going to ask her out.”

“Oh, that.” Jody’s shoulders drooped. “I’m not sure what to think about that.”

“Well, anyway, I asked what the problem was and then offered some advice.”

“What did you say?”

Dan wasn’t sure what was going through Jody’s head. For all he knew, she was about to thump him for interfering. “I told her that if this guy couldn’t get her tonight, if he was really interested he’d talk to her tomorrow at school or try ringing her again tomorrow night. I also tried to tell her that if he didn’t try again after missing her tonight then he wasn’t worth her time.”

She remained quiet and Dan couldn’t take the suspense for longer than a few seconds.

“Well? Did I fuck up?”

A smile tilted the corner of her mouth. “No. In fact, what you told her was good advice and probably more acceptable coming from you than me.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, ever since the weekend we’ve been butting heads. I’m not sure she’d have listened to me if I’d said the same thing word for word. I seem to have been relegated to the enemy camp.”

“I’m sure it won’t last long. I remember my teenage years being like a pendulum swinging between love and hate when it came to my mum and dad.” He picked up another shirt and this time managed to fold it in a semi-neat square.

Jody took the top off him and put it on one of the piles. “You’re right. I know that. It’s just frustrating not knowing what tips the scale in either direction.”

The drier beeped and he leaned over and popped the door open. Together, they pulled the second load of clothes out and dumped them in the basket. “Oh, I forgot, I gave Amy some ice cream. I didn’t even think to ask if she could have it.” Damn, he was an idiot. The kid could be allergic or something.

“That’s fine. She’s the ice-cream ho in our house.”

“Yeah, Leigh said she didn’t need the extra fat.” He still couldn’t believe a fifteen-year-old was worried about fat intake.

“Jesus. Another confusing, worrying aspect of raising a teenager in this era of thin is beautiful.” Jody shook her head. “Lucky for me, she’s fairly sensible and loves food.” She laughed. “She’d never starve herself.”

“I think West’s sister had an eating disorder. She does a whole heap of seminars at high schools about food and nutrition. West helps put her menus together. You could ask him for some advice if you’re really concerned.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I know their school has sent home a few notes about healthier options in lunch boxes. Maybe they’ve seen or heard something to be alarmed about.”

“Maybe.” Dan continued to help her fold. Unfortunately, he wasn’t getting any better at it and Jody had to refold half of what he did. “Sorry. I should stop trying to help. I think I’m making more work.”

“I’ll have to remember to ask West in the morning.” She grabbed the last piece of clothing before he could.

“I can remind you. I think he’s in to make a cake for that kid’s party Cassie is doing in the afternoon.” Dan got to his feet and offered Jody his hand.

“Thanks.” She got to her feet and they stood there just staring at each other for long moments. “I should get going. It’s late and the girls have school.”

“Yeah, you probably should.” But neither of them moved.