Page 61 of Primary Seduction

“Is that okay?”

She burst out laughing. Trent was sitting in his car, still in the school parking lot, and his daughter was laughing at him. He closed his eyes, thinking it sounded like music. It had been so long since they had had this.

“And why are you laughing at me, young girl?” he mock growled.

“Sorry. Sorry. It just crossed my mind that Mum made you gay!” She burst out laughing again, and Trent joined her.

“Not quite,” he said when he got his breath back, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I didn’t even realise I was until I spent some time with Max last week.”

“Do you mean Sean’s Max?” she asked.

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“I’ve met him at Asher’s before when I’ve been babysitting. He seems nice.”

“Yeah. I forgot you’d met him already.” He went on to tell her a little bit more about him, leaving out the gory details, of course.

“He sounds amazing, Dad. I’d love to meet him properly.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” He heard her blow out a breath. “I’ve missed this.”

“Me, too, sweetheart.” He sniffed. “Would you like to come around for dinner one evening this week?”

“Sure. Hold on…” He heard her rustling again. “I can do tomorrow or Thursday this week if that’s any good?”

“It is for me, but let me check with Max, and I’ll get back to you.”

“Great.”

“Thanks, Jocelyn.”

“You’re welcome.”

“One more thing, and I’ll let you go.”

She chuckled. “Okay.”

“Can you send me your timetable, so I know when’s the best time to ring you?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks. Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you, too, Dad. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Trent sat for a while longer, enjoying the knowledge that bridges seemed to have been built with Jocelyn. Maybe one day, they’ll get to the conversation about why she was so distant these past few years.

He needed to speak to Harper but decided to call Max first and see if he was free for dinner with Jocelyn.

“Hey, you,” came Max’s voice when he answered.

“Hey. Sorry, I hadn’t replied to your messages, you would not believe the day I’ve had.”

“That’s okay. Are you all right?” Max sounded concerned. “Do you want me to bring some dinner over tonight?”