Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

ARTHUR

I'd never been so embarrassed in my life. I knew I was older than the band. I heard them teasing Duncan about not being able to drink once and he complained that they weren't that much older than him. I had over a decade on him, at least. I didn't know how old Hendrix was, but I didn't think he'd see me as a father figure. It stung, and I couldn't get out of the bar fast enough.

I wasn't expecting him to follow me, but when he called my name, I froze on the sidewalk, my eyes locked on my feet. If he came out here to tell me I was too old for him, I didn't need the reminder. I was well aware of how pathetic I was, crushing on someone so much younger than me. I was usually stuck on the fact that he was a guy, so I'll admit I didn't focus on that before now. Just another reason this would never work out.

Hendrix stepped in front of me, a little out of breath. "Man, you're faster than you look." He took a second to catch his breath before dipping so he could meet my eye. "I didn't mean it like that. I in no way think of you as a dad or whatever. I just meant what you're doing for your kid is really cool. My parents were divorced and it would've been nice to have that kind of relationship with my dad. She's lucky to have you."

It was nice to hear, but it didn't really change anything. Hendrix was still way out of my league. The disappointment was heavy, and I wished I could walk away just to get some space to breathe.

Hendrix put his hands on my shoulders, drawing my attention up to him. "Hey. I mean it. I don't see you that way. Honestly, I've been waiting for you to make a move for a while. I figured because you're shy, I'd freak you out if I asked you out myself."

My mouth fell open, his admission stunning me speechless. "I– You–"

A smile tugged at his lips, and for a second I worried he was teasing me, but then he dipped his head and pressed his lips against mine. My brain stalled out, and I stood frozen until he pulled away from me.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have–"

"Do it again. Please?"

His eyes searched mine, for what, I had no idea. I was too focused on his mouth and getting him to kiss me again. I was out of sorts, confused, and way too embarrassed to bridge the gap myself. I could only plead with my eyes for him to take the leap again.

He huffed out a small laugh, the air warm against my lips, and then he was kissing me again. His lips were soft, almost tentative, brushing lightly against mine like a question. I'd never kissed another man before, but I leaned into it, giving him all the control while I was swept away in the tide. It was over too soon and I swayed forward when he pulled back, my mind completely blown.

"So, I wasn't just imagining it then," he murmured. He hadn't stepped away from me, I could feel the heat of his body only scant inches from mine, but he didn't kiss me again. He waited for me to respond, beautiful brown eyes locked on mine.

"I… I've only ever been with one person. I'm not sure–"

His eyebrows jumped a little. "So you've never been with a guy before?"

I shook my head quickly. I'd been curious when I was younger, but never brave enough to experiment. Then I met Val, and I dismissed it for hormones. Once we divorced, I flirted with the idea of being with a man. I even let my coworker set me up with a guy once my divorce was final, as a way to get myself back out there. It'd been awkward, to say the very least. I figured that answered my questions about it and put it in the back of my mind. It wasn't until I saw Hendrix for the first time that I admitted to myself that I might not be as straight as I thought.

"So are you hoping for an experiment, or–"

"No. I don't… I'm not sure I'd ever be comfortable with the idea of a casual thing. I honestly never thought you'd look at me twice. I'm a lot older than you, and significantly less interesting. Few people are interested in a divorced single father." The reminder knocked some sense into me and I took a step back, giving me enough room to think. "You don't… You didn't have to come out here to make me feel better. I'm fine. Please, go have fun with your friends. I'm just going to head home. I can't stay up too late. I have to pick up Sophie from school tomorrow afternoon."

He caught my wrist before I could escape, stalling my forward motion. The back of my neck burned from embarrassment, and I couldn't look back at him. I figured he was just trying to be kind, but it would be kinder to let me crawl in a hole and hide.

"I already asked you out, Artie. I'm cool with dating, if that makes you more comfortable."

Startled, I whipped my head around. "What?"

He tugged me back until I was facing him, his voice dropping into a low murmur. "I don't know why you're so sure I wouldn't be interested in you. I told you, I've been waiting for you to make a move. If you wanna take it slow and date, I'm cool with that. Just tell me what you want."

I must be dreaming. It was the only explanation I could think of. I went home and passed out from embarrassment, and I was dreaming. What other reason would there be for my crush to be truly asking me out?

The door to the bar crashed open, and Duncan's head poked out. "Hen? You leavin'? Maya wants to talk to us about some requests."

"I'll be right there," Hendrix called, without once breaking eye contact with me. He lifted his eyebrows at me. "They're calling my number, handsome. What'll it be? Is the wedding going to count as our first official date?"

I couldn't resist that playful grin, even if I wanted to. I'd probably regret it later, but for once I wanted to give in and indulge in something I craved. I dipped my chin once.

"It's a date."

Sophie was ecstatic to be part of the wedding. I think she would've been happy just to go. She loved any excuse to get dressed up, but actually taking part was like a dream come true. She twirled around my room in the dress Maya and Isla had bought her, watching herself in front of the mirrors on my closet door.

"Daddy, do I look pretty?"

"You always look pretty, baby girl."

"Daddy," she pouted, drawing the word out a few syllables.

I snickered. "Yes, baby. You look beautiful. Very grown up. How about me? Do I look okay?"

I was nervous, since Hendrix said this was our first date. I saw him a few days ago at the bar and he upped the flirtation by a lot, but he told me he wasn't going to kiss me again until after our date. I was both excited and nervous for that part. Hopefully, I could get Sophie to sleep beforehand. I wasn't comfortable introducing Hendrix as anything other than a friend just yet.

She flounced over to me, looking at me through the mirror as I fixed my tie for the fourth time. "I think you look cute."

I could work with that. She was always honest, so at least I knew she wasn't saying it to placate me. I offered her my arm, winking at her.

"May I escort the princess to the car?"

She made her voice more dramatic and austere when she replied, "Yes, sir, you may."

We both snickered, heading downstairs together. Val was aware I was taking Sophie to a wedding this weekend. I didn't want to hide it from her, especially because we'd be at least an hour away. The only part I kept to myself was my date with Hendrix. Val wasn't interested in how I knew Maya and Isla. I told her they were friends of mine and she didn't question it. She just scowled at me for wasting time when Sophie could be studying. Her knowing meant I could take as many pictures as I wanted without having to hide them, and Sophie didn't have to lie to her mother for me. I stopped in the front yard, taking a bunch of pictures of Sophie in her pretty dress, before loading us both into the car and plugging the address into the GPS.

While we drove, I quizzed Sophie on her spelling words and played a car game I used to play as a kid. Val didn't like Sophie having a lot of screen time, but Sophie didn't complain during the drive. I kept her entertained for the most part. Only once we got into the mountains and we got closer to our destination did she start getting antsy.

"Daddy! Look how close to the edge we are!"

I forced a smile, even though my knuckles were white on the steering wheel. "Yes, I can see that. That's why it's important to drive slowly and carefully, right?"

She bounced in her seat, her face almost pressed to the glass to see. I hated driving in the mountains. Hendrix offered to teleport us, but I knew he'd be busy setting up and getting the band ready, so I politely refused. I regretted that now.

We finally pulled into a small town, following the GPS to a bed-and-breakfast right up against the trees. I parked closer to the exit, blowing out an unsteady breath. This was nerve-wracking. I barely knew the band or the brides. It felt a little weird to be here when I wasn't family or a close friend. But I didn't have time to stress over it. Sophie got out of the car and came around to my side, dragging me out of my seat and towards the back where the ceremony would be taking place.

"Wow! Daddy, look! It looks like a fairytale!"

Sophie was busy looking at the decorations and the guests. Meanwhile, my eyes were locked on where the band was set up in one corner between the ceremony location and the reception area. Hendrix stood in the middle, laughing at something someone was saying. My breath left me in a hurry and I could only stare at him. I thought Hendrix on stage was gorgeous. Hendrix in a tux? My imagination couldn't even touch that.