Kathy burst out laughing. “No one is perfect, even if they look like it from the outside.”
To prove his point, he walked closer to where the McCarthys had tables set up and a white canopy to block the sun. Spread across the table was every variety of cookie imaginable. Off to the side sat a box of random toys that kids would come by and help themselves to.
“Kevin O’Malley as I live and breathe. It’s not like you to travel to this end of the block.”
Kevin turned to see Chloe McCarthy standing with her hands on her hips. Chloe had been a year behind him in school, but the McCarthys befriended everyone.
“Hi, Chloe. This is Kathy. I was just giving her a tour of the neighborhood.”
Chloe stepped forward and shook Kathy’s hand. Leaning closer, she said, “Don’t let him take you on a tour of the alleys.”
Releasing Chloe’s hand, Kathy shot him a questioning look.
“I’m not fourteen anymore. I have better places to make out with a girl.” He winked at Chloe and led Kathy away before Chloe gave Kathy more ammunition to use against him.
“So did you ever take Chloe to the alley?” Kathy asked.
“Hell, no. Everyone knew the McCarthy sisters gripped tight to their V-cards. We half expected them to join a convent.”
“You are awful.”
“I was awful. Turned over a new leaf. I didn’t even steal any of their cookies. As a kid, I would’ve taken a whole tray and then sold them for a quarter each on the next block.”
Kathy laughed until she had tears filling her eyes. As far as non-dates went, Kevin considered this one a win.
Chapter Five
Kevin led Kathy to the table. They piled food on their plates and sat at the curb, leaving the folding chairs for older people and pregnant women, of which there seemed to be a growing number. Looked like the O’Learys were breeding the next generation of football players.
“Eat up. Relay races are starting soon. This time, I don’t care what Moira says, you’re on my team. I deserve to win at least once today.”
“The adults run relay races?”
“Some. I’ll beat a bunch of kids. I don’t care.”
Kathy laughed because she knew he was joking. “That’s just wrong.”
He bumped her shoulder with his and tilted his chin across the street. “See that kid? I bet I could take him.”
He was looking at the toddler who was obviously still mastering the ability to walk.
She smiled and shook her head. “Setting the bar kind of low.” She glanced down the block. “How about them?”
They turned to see a group of gangly teens squirting one another with giant water guns.
“I’ll wait until they exhaust each other, then I’ll be able to win.”
“You always have a scheme, huh?”
“Scheme sounds evil.”
“You’re the one who relished being called an evil genius.”
“I plan the best way to have fun while winning. That part is just genius. Nothing evil about it.” He quieted again for a few seconds as he ate. “What do you do for fun?”
She shrugged. It was one of those questions she always hated on a date because she knew she sounded like a little old lady.
“Come on. Tell me.”
“I like to run. I go at least three or four times a week. The shop takes a lot of my time. Being a business owner is no simple task. I love it, but I’m not in a place where I have a lot of breathing room, you know? By the time I get home at night, I flop on the couch and watch TV.” As they talked through easy conversation, her appetite had returned and she continued to eat.
“I can relate. I’m trying to get in on a new project at work, so there are a lot of long hours. I’m lucky if I manage to get my tie off before I collapse.”
“I never have that problem. The first thing I do when I walk in the door is strip.”
Kevin coughed and choked on his beer.
“You okay?”
“You could warn a guy if you’re gonna fill his head with images like that.” He took another drink of beer.
It took a second for her brain to catch up. “Jeez, you have a dirty mind. I don’t walk around naked. I change into comfy clothes.”
“Too late. I already have a picture of you sprawled all over your couch totally nude. Wild hair fanning out, eyes half-closed, the beginning of a smile on your lips. Can’t undo that.”
How he managed to spin a totally innocent conversation into a sexual one, she didn’t know, but she pushed past it. “Did you say tie? You actually wear a suit every day?”
“Yep. Kind of a requirement.”
“I can’t picture it.” In her head, he was always relaxed Kevin, like he was today. Casual.
“I’ll send you a selfie on Monday.” He set his plate on the ground. “Unless suits are a turnoff. Then we can pretend they don’t exist.”
She smiled again. “Even women who don’t like suits can appreciate a man who looks good in one.”
“Better watch out. That sounded almost like a compliment.”
“I didn’t say you’d look good in a suit, just that I like a man who does.”
“I don’t remember you being so quick with the barbs.”
He was right. That kind of joking was something reserved for people who were close to her, like Moira. People who she knew wouldn’t be offended, where no fight would be stirred or feelings hurt.
“Can I get something out in the open?” Kathy asked him with her plate carefully balanced on her knees.
“Shoot,” he answered before putting his plate on his lap and digging into his burger.
“I have an ulterior motive for being here.”
He said nothing, so she set her plate on the curb and twisted to fully face him. “I planned on playing this close to the vest, but I’m no good at being duplicitous.”
“That’s one of the many things I like about you.”
As much as she wanted to bask
