"October fifth."
A strong pair of arms swooped in and lifted Ariana off the ground. She screeched with delight as she was turned upside down.
"Craig, don't get her hyper now," Peyton warned. "It's bedtime."
Alexis straightened up and took a good look at Craig Keeler. Nope, he didn't seem familiar either. That made her feel a little better about not recognizing Tyler.
"Hi, Alexis," said Craig. "Long time, no see."
"Thank you for including me tonight," she said.
"Are you kidding? Tyler would've dropped me on my head in the middle of
Mangrove Pass."
Tyler cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um, right here, Keeler." He ran a nervous hand through his hair.
Craig patted his daughter's back affectionately. "Let's get this specimen back to the lab, Doctor."
Ariana squealed as he flipped her the right way up. "Again, Daddy," she cried.
"To bed," Peyton said firmly.
"Goodnight, Ariana," said Alexis. "It was really nice to meet you."
"Goodnight, pretty lady," said Ariana. "Uncle Tyler talks about you all the time now. It's so boring." She rolled her large eyes for effect.
As Alexis suppressed a coy smile, Tyler felt that familiar ache. Her body in that curve-hugging dress was wreaking havoc on his usual restraint. The hint of her breasts, the nape of her neck, those long legs. Every inch of her turned him on. He was going to struggle to stay sane in her presence tonight.
"Sorry about that, Tyler," Peyton apologized for her daughter.
"No worries. It's not like I hide it very well." Tyler took a swig of beer.
"Well, when he mentioned he'd run into you," said Peyton, "I'll admit I was curious to see if he'd finally pluck up the courage to ask you out."
"I bet him twenty bucks that he'd crash and burn," Craig said, reappearing behind his wife.
"Spoken like a true friend," Tyler said.
"Oh, Alexis, forgive my manners," Peyton said. "Can I get you a drink or something to eat? Wine or beer?"
"I wouldn't mind a glass of wine. Red, if you have it."
"Is Pinot Noir okay?"
"Perfect."
As Peyton moved back into the kitchen for the wine, Craig stepped forward to continue to mortify his friend.
"So has Tyler played you any of his songs?" asked Craig, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.
"I heard him play at your place, actually," said Alexis. "Congratulations on that, by the way, Gatsby's is a great place."
"Thanks, Peyton and I work our butts off, but we love it." He gave Tyler a sidelong glance. "Did he play Mermaid's Kiss?"
Tyler shot his friend a warning look that Alexis pretended not to see.