Leo sat in a booth across from Zach and Lilli at Public House. Lilli dug into her haddock sandwich. He liked a woman who could eat. Autumn ate, especially after an outdoor adventure. Did Reagan eat? He didn't even know if she had invited him for a meal. His gut told him it was for something else entirely.

Lilli pointed a fry at him. "What's up for the weekend?"

"Because of Isla church." He hadn't told his friends about his date.

Lilli frowned. "What's wrong with church? I'll admit we weren't the 'every weekend' family, but we went. We still do. Zach's gone. Right?"

"I was raised Lutheran, but I don't mind sitting next to Lill and holding her hand."

Leo rolled his eyes. He and Autumn never did church together. He baptised his kids later without her influence. Her mother was livid because it went against her beliefs. In her church baptism was a total immersion which occurred after being saved. Autumn didn't believe in any of it.

Zach said, "No need to pout. It's probably the right thing to do as a father."

He nodded, but his mind had digressed from him sitting for an hour on Sunday morning.

"We aren't doing anything. We should come to church, and then we can hang out for the day. Maybe do something fun."

Zach frowned and Leo said, "It's only an hour."

Zach laughed. "It's not the church part but getting out of bed early on Sunday morning."

Zach put his arm around Lilli to remove any doubt about his true intention. Leo wanted to complain, but he had his own opportunity with his date.

His friends didn't know the details about his divorce. They knew about Leo's toxic, contentious relationship with his in-laws, but not his situation. He didn't ask why they assumed Autumn couldn't parent. Some things were better kept private even with the best of friends.

He pushed his thoughts aside. "What kind of fun? I've been thinking of getting one of those plastic sheds. I'll need help putting it together."

Zach groaned. Lilli clapped. "Oooh, sweaty men working. That's fun."

Zach snapped. "It's March! Seriously? You take this friendship thing to the extreme."

"I know. You're used to hanging around drinking scotch with the Sumners and Roches." Zach grew up wealthy and traveled in the same circles as the publishing families.

"I'll do it because I like you, but I like your kids better, and I don't want their bikes left in the rain. I'll need to schedule a massage to help recover."

Leo snickered. "You're such a baby. Lilli can massage you." Leo regretted the thought and the memories which went with it.

Zach shook his head. "She always gets distracted and never finishes the job."

A pink hue creeped up Lilli's cheeks. "I finish another task just fine."

Leo groaned. "TMI. I like you two with my kids or in the office where no one knows and you act professional."

Lilli said, "You're just jealous."

Without thinking, he said, "I'm having drinks tonight with a divorced mom."

Lilli leaned in. "Really! Tell us more."

He shook his head. "There isn't more to tell. I told her I wasn't looking for anything lasting, and she didn't mind."

Lilli snickered. "Women lie, but why not?"

It's complicated. "She's not really my type."

Lilli waved her last fry. "I'll want an update on Sunday."

He groaned. "No one knows. I said I have a late meeting."

Lilli bounced in her seat. "Ew! Keeping secrets from the nanny. How is Isla working out?"

He had shared the truth about the shelter and her living arrangements. "Good. She had her own date last night."

Lilli knitted her brows. "Really?"

"She went out to dinner."

Lilli whispered. "She doesn't really attract men. I mean she dresses like she's sixty."

Leo agreed, but she had a pleasant face even without a speck of makeup.

Everyone left work at five on Friday. He took the train, because driving would have taken longer than the twenty-minute train ride. He felt bad for the commuters who lived at the end of the line and sat on the train for over an hour with multiple stops.

His hands were clammy as he drove to Reagan's condo. On Fridays, he never wore a suit unless he had a meeting with a client. He felt like his father with his v-neck undershirt and black socks. Why was he focused on what was underneath? Because he was a weak man. Still, he had only been with one woman since his senior year in college.

Reagan greeted him in a tight dress that clung to her curves. He had seen Lilli dress similarly, but she was younger. Her feminine scent wafted around him, but he thought it was too much.

"Come in. I have wine or I could mix up some margaritas in the blender?"

"Wine. Wine is fine. Thanks."

She smiled and reached up and tugged on his collar. "You look very handsome."

He wasn't a tall man, but he kept trim. Although with Isla's cooking his waist size might change. When he looked in the mirror, he saw brown and white. His eyes and hair offset by his white teeth straightened by years of braces with palate expander and headgear. The dentist had recommended Riley see the orthodontist, but he hadn't taken the time to schedule an appointment.

As she moved into the kitchen, her hips swayed. Leo felt like a pig with all thoughts of braces and dental insurance whisked out of his mind. He took the stemmed glass and smiled. She had a heavy pour in the wide rimmed glass. The red tickled his tongue.

She smiled. "It's Syrah. I love it."

He nodded approvingly, although he wasn't much of a wine connoisseur. He took another sip and searched for a conversation starter. "So Ryan is with his Dad?"

"Uh, huh. What's your arrangement?"

He struggled to answer this question. "It was best for the kids for me to have full custody. The situation is complicated. The kids are okay, so I don't rock the boat and keep the reasons private."

"Well, you shut me down." She chuckled. He wouldn't apologize. "Their mother is in California?"

"Yes. Was your divorce amicable?"

She threw her head back and laughed. "Oh God, no! We still fight every time we're near each other."

Warning, warning. "I'm not sure why I'm here. I'm content being single and not looking for the complication that goes with a relationship."

Her hands with long polished nails, rested on his bicep. "It doesn't mean you don't have needs. What's wrong with two adults taking care of their mutual needs."

"Like friends with benefits?"

She smiled. "Exactly. We're both busy and our kids are our priority."

He cleared his throat. His small head encouraged him. "I wouldn't want it to get back to my kids."

Riley didn't like Reagan anymore than she liked the string of nannies. He didn't want to think of his daughter. Warm fingers touched his cheek. His face felt like sandpaper. He almost shut his eyes. It felt good to be touched by someone other than his children; he had been deprived of human affection.

Leo didn't know who made the first move, but their lips met in a searing kiss. He preferred not to inhale her perfume, but the feel of her lips devouring his made it worth it. His hand moved to her full hips. It didn't take long before she took his hand and led him down the hall. He looked down at flashes of red as she undid his belt. Any foreplay was short-lived and her hand encircled him before rolling on a condom. He felt relieved because he hadn't thought about condoms in over a decade.

She climbed on top and as her large breasts bounced, his hand found her clit to ensure she got what she wanted first. When she moved forward to feel the friction, her breasts danced across his bare chest. She flung herself back with a moan which took him deeper. He exploded like a volcano which had been dormant for too long. She rolled off him and disappeared as he lay panting. Regrets? Maybe later, but not with the way his body felt.

She returned wearing a skimpy robe. "Do you want to get a snack and go for another round?"

If he left, he could spend time with his kids before bed. Instead, he nodded.

By the time he left it was after ten. He hadn't expected Isla to be sitting in the kitchen with her word search. He felt a bit like a teen trying to sneak in the house.

She looked up. "How was your meeting?"

"Good. The kids?"

She frowned. "Fine. We had a nice evening."

"Thanks. I'll pay you extra for tonight." She frowned again as he said goodnight. He really wanted a shower.

Leo, I hope it was worth it 🤣🤣 Please vote 🌟

Thanks for helping Designs of You reach 100K. What's next? Out of the Blue. It is part of the Unexpected series. If you love dads caring for their kids who have innocent or inexperienced women come into their lives, Unexpected is for you ❤️