A week after my breakup, Lauren decided I was ready to rejoin society.

By society, she meant her couch, cheap wine, and the worst dating profiles she could find.

“I'm not getting back on an app,” I told her.

“You don't have to date anyone. Just remember there are men besides Daniel.”

She held up a photo of a man posing beside a fish nearly as tall as he was.

“That one doesn't help,” I said.

Richard walked past carrying groceries. “What's wrong with the fish?”

“The fish is fine,” Lauren replied. “It's the man holding it.”

“Usually is.”

He disappeared into the kitchen. I watched him go.

I'd known Lauren's father for years. I'd known he was attractive the way I knew mountains were tall. Lately my brain had decided to take measurements.

Richard returned to ask if we wanted pizza. His hair was damp, with gray at the temples, and he wore an old navy shirt with the sleeves pushed up.

“Nat?” Lauren waved at me.

“Pizza. Yes.”

“You were staring into space.”

“I'm mourning my relationship.”

“You called Daniel a human loading screen this morning.”

“Grief takes many forms.”

Richard laughed as he headed back to the kitchen. I liked that laugh far more than was appropriate.

Lauren talked through our movie, planning a concert for the following Saturday. She and two friends were driving three hours away, spending the night, and returning Sunday.

“Which means,” she called toward the kitchen, “you finally get the house to yourself, Dad.”

“I'm planning to leave dishes in the sink.”

“You already do!”

“Then I'll have to get creative.”

Her phone rang. Lauren groaned at the screen.

“It's Jess. Nobody can agree whose car we're taking. Pause the movie.”

She went upstairs, already arguing.

I took my empty glass into the kitchen. Richard was cutting the pizza he'd just taken out of the oven. I sat at the counter.

“She's going to pack for four days and forget her toothbrush,” he said.

“She's done that twice.”

“Three times. You missed the lake trip.”

Then Richard set down the cutter. “How've you been? Really.”

“Better. You and Lauren helped.”

“Lauren did most of it. I supplied water.”

“And called me pathetic.”

“You asked.”

“I've been thinking of leaving you a bad review.”

“One star,” Richard suggested. “Terrible bedside manner.”

“Cute owner, though.”

Oh, shit.

Richard raised his eyebrows.

“Nice kitchen,” I clarified, biting into a slice.

“You've hated these cabinets for years.”

“They've matured.”

His mouth curved. “I'll pass that along.”

I knew how to flirt. Did Richard know I was flirting?

“Anything else you'd like to review?” he asked.

“Depends. Are you taking criticism?”

“From you? I'm bracing myself.”

I ate another bite to keep from smiling like an idiot.

Lauren came downstairs looking annoyed. “Dad, do we still have the suitcase with the broken wheel?”

“The one you promised to throw away?”

“It's perfectly usable!”

“It only goes left.”

“Natalie, tell him he's being difficult.”

“He is,” I said.

Richard glanced at me. “Noted. My rating's getting worse.”

Lauren blinked. “What rating?”

“His kitchen,” I answered.

She looked between us. “You two are so weird.”

She grabbed a slice and returned to the living room. Richard turned back to the counter, but I caught his smile.

Later, Lauren hugged me goodbye and threatened more fish photos if I didn't text.

Richard stood at the front door as I pulled on my jacket.

“Settled on a rating?” he asked.

“Still evaluating.”

“Take your time,” he replied, opening the door.

I made it to my car before I started grinning.

I wanted him. Not as a harmless little crush to giggle about with Lauren. I wanted to know what would happen if I stopped pretending all my jokes were jokes.

Which was inconvenient, considering Lauren was the person I told everything.

Driving home, I remembered she'd be out of town next Saturday.

I hadn't meant to remember that part quite so clearly.

Lauren was right there, and Natalie still couldn't keep her attention where it belonged. Was Richard flirting back, or was Natalie seeing what she wanted to see? Tell us what you think in the comments. And seriously, what do we think she's going to do next Saturday?