My House, My Rules Read Online Free Page B

them. A night swim was a pretty big deal for kids.
    “They don't eat salad,” Alex said apologetically as she sat down. “I probably should have mentioned that.”
    “They've agreed to try some,” Jay said giving Aaron a pointed look. He was pushing a piece of lettuce around the plate with his fork like it might bite him.
    “I don't like that stuff,” he said as he finally put a small piece on the edge of his lip. “It's gonna make me barf.”
    Thom did put a piece of cucumber in his mouth and chewed it, but it didn't look like he was set to swallow it any time soon.
    “They really don't like it,” Alex said nervously.
    “They agreed to try it,” Jay said, trying to send her a message with his eyes.
    “I don't force them to eat what they don't like.”
    “Can I have a word with you in the kitchen,” Jay said, steering her out before she could object. He didn't want to undermine her in front of her kids.
    “I don't force my children to eat what they don't like,” she hissed as soon as they were out of earshot.
    Jay held his hand up to stop her rant with one hand while he closed the door with the other. “Slow down!” he whispered back. “I wasn't forcing anyone to do anything. I was just encouraging them to try something new.”
    “Aaron gags when you force new foods on him.”
    “Uh huh,” he said, then launched into a fit of gagging noises that nearly had her going out in sympathy, for real.
    “Oh, that is so gross,” she said.
    “Yes it is,” Jay said completely recovered. “And really easy.”
    Alex rolled her eyes. “Pizza's getting cold,” she said.
    “Tell you what. How about a bet.”
    “Oh?” Alex said with a grin.
    “If they don't eat anymore salad, then I will do whatever you want me to do for you for a week.”
    “And if by some miracle you win and they've actually eaten some more?”
    “Hmm,” Jay said with an evil grin. “Have dinner with me. Just you and me.”
    “Okay,” she said with a smug smile.
     
    * * *
     
    “Did you get sick from the salad too?” Aaron asked Jay when they returned to the table.
    “No. No, I was just playing a game with your Mom,” he said, giving Alex a sideways glance.
    “Oh,” Aaron said. “I tried this stuff when you was in the kitchen, and I don't like it.”
    Jay looked at the little boy's plate. There was definitely more than a few bites missing. “Well, it's good to see you ate some,” he said.
    Realizing Jay was on to him, Aaron sighed. “Well, it was still yuck,” he said.
    “It wasn't bad.” Thom said, putting a slice of cucumber into his mouth.
    “Told you,” Jay said ruffling his hair. “Good man!”
    Not about to let his brother get the better of him, Aaron poked some lettuce into the dressing and then into his mouth.
    “Wow, Aaron! I'm impressed!” Jay said before turning his hundred watt grin on the small boy, who was looking pretty pleased with himself.
    “Thom's right. It's not that bad,” Aaron said.
    Jay wiggled his eyebrows at Alex, and she rolled her eyes but she was smiling. It appeared she'd be having dinner with him after all. She didn't look very upset about it either, he thought happily.
     
    * * *
     
    “You comin’ in, Mom?” Thom called out from the pool.
    “Yeah, Mom, you gonna swim with us?” Aaron asked. “Please?”
    “Come on, please?” Jay pleaded.
    “Please, Mom?” Thom asked.
    “Yeah, I guess so,” Alex said. All eyes were on her. She felt embarrassed now when she thought of taking off her dress. Maybe she shouldn't have, well, gone to so much trouble. Would he notice? Did she want him to? She wouldn't have wanted him to see if she hadn't!
    Alex's face was so heated it felt like a big red ball that wouldn't even fit through the dress she was trying to pull over her head. It did, however, slip off easily, and there she was in a bikini, standing in front of a man. She hoped she looked okay. Her belly was surprisingly still flat, considering she'd had two children, but she'd always