Page 21 of The Deadbeat DILF
The shrill sound of my phone ringing tore us from the spell. I blinked a few times, then jerked out of Robert’s grip. “I…I should get that.”
Without waiting for an answer, I swam to the nearest ladder and pulled myself out of the pool. I hurried over to the table, dried my hands, then answered my phone.
“Hey! I’m here with the dress I borrowed from you,” Emilia chirped.
That was right. She’d mentioned a few days ago that she was returning the pink dress today, but I’d forgotten about it. I’d been too swept up in…him.
“I’ll be right there. We were at the pool,” I explained as I grabbed my towel to start drying off, my heart thumping rapidly like I had been caught doing something illicit.
“‘We?’ Oh,” Emilia replied with a suggestive tone to her voice.
“See you in a minute.” I hung up before she could tease me or bombard me with questions. I was already going to get an earful when I met her at my apartment.
Robert had hauled himself out of the pool. Water tumbled across his skin before dripping onto the concrete. Looking at him reminded me of a greek god emerging out of the ocean. “Everything okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. My friend Emilia is here to drop off a dress she borrowed. You can stay here if you want. It won’t take long.”
“I’ll go with you. It’s almost lunchtime anyway.”
I checked the time on my phone and was surprised to see that it was. Time had gotten away from us.
“This was fun though,” Robert said. “We’ll have to do it again.”
An uncontrollable smile crossed my lips as I nodded. Apart from those tense moments, it had been nice to play like a kid again. Robert wasn’t the kind to turn up his nose at something immature. No, he’d splashed and chased me too, and honestly, it was kind of cute.
Once we both dried off and got dressed, we took the elevator back down to my floor and went back to my apartment where Emilia was waiting outside, carrying a bag.
“Brooke!” she called, and then her gaze fell on Robert. Her mouth parted. She wasn’t even trying to hide her reaction.
I gave her a look with my eyes, and she quickly composed herself. “Hi! I’ve got your clothes here.” She lifted the bag, then smiled at Robert. “Hi, I’m Emilia, Brooke’s friend. You must be Robert.” She offered him her hand.
He took it, shaking it once. “That’s right. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. I’ve heardsomuch about you.”
“She’s teasing,” I said, giving Emilia a warning look. I unlocked the front door of my apartment, letting everyone inside.
Robert laughed. “Well, I better jump into the shower. I’ll leave you guys to it.”
Emilia and I watched him disappear. The second his bedroom door shut, Emilia clutched my hands. “Brooke, holy hell. You did not mention your new tenant is a total DILF!”
“Keep your voice down,” I hissed.
“I’m not usually into older guys, but wow. Did you see the shoulders on that man?”
“We’ve just been swimming. Of course I saw his shoulders.”
Emilia gave me a teasing smile. “I can see you’re wearing your best bikini.” Her gaze drifted up to my face. “Your cheeks are pink! Did something happen?”
“No!” I lied. “Listen, I know he’s…good-looking, but it’s not like that. We’re just friends. I’m helping him out. That’s all.”
Emilia pursed her lips at me, seeing right through my sorry attempt to act unfazed. “You like him.”
“I do not,” I replied, lying through my teeth once again.
Emilia didn’t look convinced.
“Fine, yes. He’s handsome as hell, and he’s funny, and he’s nice. But nothing’s ever going to happen. He’s too old for me, and he’s Mike’s dad. It’s just…wrong.”
