He laughed. “Yeah, I loved that part. If the conversation had gone differently, though, I probably would’ve found a way.” He took my hand in his and squeezed it before letting go. “Anyway, I want you to know I’ve been thinking about you for a long time, Veronica Jean. And after that bold confession, I’m going for more beer. You need anything?”

“No, thank you.” I smiled up at him. “Maybe a first kiss at sunset on this pretty lake after you’ve been all romantical...”

“That’s not a word,” he said.

“Believe me, I know.”

Rick pulled me out of the chair and wrapped his arms around me, then kissed me long and slow. I responded like a teenager full of pent-up Friday night hormones. He swept my legs around his waist and carried me to a picnic table at the end of the deck, sitting on top with his feet on the bench and situating me on his lap.

I pulled away and said, “I don’t usually do this, Rick. I mean...”

“Neither do I,” he interrupted, shaking his head. He laughed softly. “Let’s try it and see if it’s fun.” He kissed me softly, barely touching his lips to mine. Every molecule in my body answered.

I was oblivious to the world until I heard the stupid “Cops” theme droning on. For a second I thought the neighbors had turned on a TV. Rick smiled apologetically as he drew his cell from a back pocket. “I gotta change that ringtone, huh?”

I nodded and looked at the phone. It displayed a flying monkey from The Wizard of Oz and the name Victoria. “I’m sorry, Ronni. This will just take a minute.” I tried to get off his lap but he held me fast with his free arm.

“Yes?” he said, rolling his eyes upward. “Victoria, that’s not fair. I’m at the lake. It’s going to take me an extra hour to get there. Why the hell didn’t you tell me before?” He sat and listened, screwing his face into a scowl. “Okay, ten o’clock. Bye.”

I managed to pull free and stand. “Well, that was a mood killer.”

“I’m sorry. She and Sir Humphrey Knowsalot need to take the boys to a faculty birthday party tomorrow at three, so I have to get to Tuscaloosa two hours earlier. Victoria loves to dress them like little bookish nerds and parade them around the university. Probably puts bow ties on them. If she thinks I’m having fun tonight, she likely made the whole thing up. She’s a conniving bitch who directs my life from Revenge Hell.”

“Revenge? I thought she left you.”

“I was not a model husband, Ronni. I was and am, however, a model dad. Josh and Jeremy are my world.”

“I’m not even sure I want kids.” The words left my mouth before I tasted them.