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THE SINGLE DAD 15
How could only the lightest graze of his fingers, the subtlest exhale of his air cause me to quiver?But I did.In the last four years, I hadn’t had the time to explore the possibility of dating. Even if the opportunity had presented itself, I would have been in no position to act on it, far too tied up with my job.Back in LA for less than twenty-four hours, and this had already happened.Blanketed by this incredible man’s heat.As I stared at his face, I couldn’t help but wonder where this was going to take me and what this was going to look like.So many unknowns.What I did know was that I needed to fill myself with caffeine, or he would open his eyes to a side of me that was wickedly devilish.He was far too adorable to wake up, so I carefully lifted his arm a few inches and squeezed my way out, sneaking soundlessly off his bed.Rather than putting my dress on, I found his button-down on the floor and slipped my arms through the large holes, buttoning the middle as I tiptoed to h
THE SINGLE DAD 16
“No, no.” I shook my head. “I took a job right after graduation, and I’ve traveled the world for the last four years. College has always been on my radar, but the timing was just never right. When it became possible, I made the move.”“But what an experience that must have been.”I tucked my unruly hair behind my ears. “I don’t regret it for a second.”“Good luck with school. I have a feeling it’s going to go great for you.”I grinned. “Thank you—and for you too. Wear that crown and show those boys at the law firm what it looks like when a girl kicks ass.”“Ohhh, yes. I plan to.”I waved good-bye and returned to Ford’s room, bringing the coffee into bed. Even though I’d been quiet, the movement of the mattress caused him to stir, his eyes gradually opening, meeting mine.God.He was perfection in the morning. Hair completely messy, beard a little thicker than it had been last night, a stare that was lusty and feral.I was ready for whatever he wanted to do to me.“Good morning,” I sai
THE SINGLE DAD 17
He returned to that same spot on my neck. Kissing. Caressing. “Then, yes, I most definitely would like to see you again.”He was holding himself up with his arms, and I skimmed them, feeling the muscles bulge on each side. “Give me your phone. I’ll save my number.”He unlocked the screen and handed it to me, and I went into his Contacts and added my information.Rather than setting a date, this felt like the option that put the least amount of pressure on him.Still, the thought of him calling sent that tingle afire, and the thought of him not calling made my heart start to ache.I set his phone down and wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him against me. My nose went into his hair, smelling, my mind memorizing.Just in case.And once a few beats passed, I respected his wishes and whispered, “Let’s go.”He gave me a quick kiss, his eyes holding mine as our mouths parted, and we climbed out of bed. He went into his closet, and I tossed his button-down on the bench in front of his
THE SINGLE DAD 18
I nodded. “My absolute fave.” There was a smudge of chocolate on her cheek, telling me Hannah had probably given her a cookie before bed. “You know what else is my fave?” I held up my free hand. “Hannah’s cookies.”“Cookies for breakfast!” she shouted.I laughed, pulling back both hands. “That’s what I had for breakfast, but it sounds like you’re going to have pancakes, and that’s just as yummy.”“You like pancakes too?”“Of course.” I winked. “Who doesn’t love pancakes? They’re the best when they have loads of chocolate chips.”“Daddy, you have to make some pancakes for Syd. She likes them like I do.” She glanced at me again. “Did you get pretty to have pancakes with us?”I realized she was talking about my dress and heels—an outfit that felt outrageous at the moment.When I didn’t respond, she gasped and said, “Daddy, we need to have a pancake party. I need to go put on my pink dress!”“No party, baby.” Ford held the side of Everly’s face and kissed her. “Sydney only came over for c
THE SINGLE DAD 19
“He’s so good with her. He has been since the very beginning.”I wanted so desperately to pick her brain, but I knew how inappropriate that was, so I said, “It sounds like they’re lucky to have each other.”She was silent for a few moments while listening to the app give the next instruction and then asked, “Now that you’re starting school, will you be working as well or just focusing on classes?”“Oh, no. I need a job.” I traced my fingers against the glass, staring at the palm trees that lined the street. “I haven’t begun looking for one, but it’s on the agenda along with getting a bed and furniture—I have nothing.” We connected eyes as she slowed for the stop sign. “I have so much to do. I’m what I call a hot mess.”“I can take one thing off your plate. I have the perfect job for you. You could be Eve’s nanny.”My hand immediately went to my chest. “Me?”“If you helped homeschool three children and you’re going to UCLA to become a teacher, there isn’t a person more suited than you.
THE SINGLE DAD 20
“What do you want to do today, baby?”“Hmm.” She rubbed my prickly beard, her fingers getting lost in my whiskers.“We can do anything you want.”She sat up, resting one of her legs across me, her eyes wide and lit. “Anythiiing?”“Well, within reason.” I pushed her curls out of her face. “I know, given the opportunity, you’d pick Disney, which wouldn’t be practical today, or to go to Uncle Jenner’s house in Utah—also not an option.”“I want to have pancakes with the girls.”“What girls, baby?” The braid I’d put in her hair last night had fallen so loose, and her hair was a wild nest. I pulled the elastic out of the bottom and tried to form it all into a ponytail, tying it together.“Hannah and Syd.”I chuckled, trying to think of a way around this.“Daddy, I’m going to help you make a big batch of chocolate chip pancakes. And wear my sparkly pink dress. And they can come over and eat them. Okaaay?”“Eve, I don’t think Hannah is available today—”“Just call her. Pleeease.”I glanced at
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Of the night we’d spent together.I couldn’t get her out of my head.And even though I had her number, I hadn’t reached out.I needed more time to think this through.I needed distance to do that.And I probably needed to stay far, far away from her.Because that woman was fucking dangerous.I’d felt that the second I touched her.But my hands were aching to run up and down her body. My lips yearning to kiss her. My cock fucking throbbing to be inside her.What the hell is happening to me?Texting would start a dialogue; it would open something that surely needed to stay closed. And despite telling her that I wanted to see her again, I wasn’t sure if that was really the best idea.Not when things with Eve were in such a good rhythm.But as my heart pounded away, my fingers found Sydney’s name in my Contacts, and I pulled up a message. My thumbs pressed the letters, typing a text, and I hit Send before I could stop myself.Me: Everly asked if you were coming to breakfast this morning.
THE SINGLE DAD 22
“What’s the problem?” I mocked. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” I didn’t wait for him to respond before I continued, “If anything, I’ll take her out on a date, but our second time together isn’t going to be a family gathering with my daughter.”“You’re wasting time, Ford.” He glanced at Everly and then back to me. “When I suggested inviting that girl over, it wasn’t just for your benefit, but for Eve’s too. I’m looking out for the both of you.”“And the best thing for us is Sydney?” I tested.He finished his Bloody Mary just as Craig brought us another round, and he took a bite of the celery, swallowing before he said, “What are you afraid of? Things not working out?”My hands began to shake as my memory brought me back to a day I didn’t like to revisit. “What would I tell her then? Another woman had left her life?” I took a long drink. “Do you think that’s easy for me?”“You can’t compare the two situations.”“But I can.” I took a deep breath. “And I will.”Anger pulsed through my
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