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THE SINGLE DAD 37
I knew she was getting tired.We were minutes from bedtime.I continued to hold the cookie up and said, “Is it an elm tree?”She shrugged.“How about a weeping willow tree?”She shook her head. “That’s a silly name.”“Hmm.” I added a small bee, made of fondant, just underneath the sun and said, “A palm tree?”“Yes! Silly me. I forgot what they were called.”“Great job, Everly.” I set the cookie down and collected all the gel icing. “You were so helpful tonight, counting out all the measurements and helping me keep an eye on the timer and decorating these cookies with me. You’ve done the most fantastic job.”Her blue lips opened wide. “Can I have another cookie?”“Last one,” I said even though she’d only eaten half of one. “And then it’s time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed.”Her smile dropped, and she shook her head. “But I’m not tired. I don’t want to go to bed. I want to stay up and hang out with you.”“I know, honey.” I set my hand on her shoulder. “The cookies taste so d
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Gabby: How’s it going?Me: I think good. Everly just went to bed. I’m waiting for Ford to come down and talk to me.Gabby: He’s going to offer you the job. Obviously. I mean, you made cookies with his daughter. It doesn’t get cuter than that.Me: Um, hello? There’re a million reasons why he won’t offer me the job, but I do think Everly had a good time, and she was so much fun. Gabs, he’s the best dad. Sigh.Me: Oh shit, I hear him coming down the stairs. Got to go. Wish me luck. XOGabby: You’ve got this. Love your ass. See ya at home.“Sorry,” I said, sliding the phone back into my bag as Ford took a seat in one of the barstools across from me. “That was Gabby. She was just checking on me.”“You don’t have to apologize. You’re allowed to use your phone.” He glanced around the kitchen. “You didn’t have to clean up, Sydney.”I waved my hand, showing him it was nothing. “If I make the mess, I’m certainly going to clean it. That’s part of my job.”“But you weren’t here tonight as an empl
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His words hit me. Whether he’d chosen them on purpose or they were merely a coincidence, I felt the power behind each one.“I’m not going anywhere, Ford.” I swallowed. “You have me.”“Then, my assistant will send over the necessary paperwork. I’m sure you’re familiar with an NDA.”“I’ve signed one before, yes.”He exhaled, a sound that was more like a sigh. “Now, as for moving in, I’ve given that some thought, and I don’t want to rush it. Let’s take our time, see how things go the next week or so. Are you okay with that?”A sense of relief passed through me.One I hadn’t expected.“Yes, of course,” I replied.His hands had been moving but froze. “I want you to get comfortable with Everly, and I want to get used to having you here all the time.”“An important part of the process, I agree.” As he nodded, I asked, “When would you like me to start?”He pulled out his phone, tapping the screen, his eyes going back and forth, like he was reading. “I can draw up the contract and NDA tomorrow
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“Did our brother wake up this morning with amnesia?” Dominick asked Jenner. “Or is the motherfucker suffering from a concussion from getting hit over the head with a two-by-four?” Dominick’s stare left Jenner, and he looked at me. “In case you need the reminder, her name is Sydney. You know, your goddamn nanny.”I laughed again. “That’s exactly it. She’s my nanny. Nothing more.”Jenner leaned his elbows on the table to get closer to me. “Really? That’s all she is—your nanny?”“Yes, my nanny. Who the fuck do you think is watching my kid right now?” I checked my phone, making sure there was nothing from Sydney. I wasn’t sure why I had this nagging anticipation that she was going to text a question or a picture out of the blue, but every few minutes, I found myself reaching inside my pocket. “So, yes, guys, that’s all she is. Someone to take care of Eve, not me.”“No reason she can’t be there for you as well.”I sighed, shaking my head. “We’re not going there again.”Dominick called over
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Me: Do you mind staying a little later?Sydney: Ford, have fun. Don’t worry about us. I’m heating up the dinner Craig left, and then we’re going to make cupcakes. Since we made bath bombs yesterday, Eve is pretty excited about testing one out tonight. Take your time. I’ll stay as late as you need me to.Me: What’s a bath bomb?Me: Or maybe I don’t want to know?Me: And, shit, am I screwing up all your plans tonight? I didn’t even ask if you had something going on.Sydney: Gabby and I were supposed to have a girls’ night. She spent all day cooking for it. :(Me: Fuck …Sydney: I’m kidding. I had no plans. Stop worrying. All is good.Sydney: Also, come home hungry. There will be tons of extra cupcakes.Me: I appreciate you doing this.“He’s texting with Sydney,” Dominick said. “There’s no one else, aside from Everly, who can make him smile that hard.”I glanced up from my phone.Jenner said, “Is that true? Are you texting with Sydney?”“Yeah, but—”“Oh hell, he’s in it hard.”“Stop it,”
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“That’s all I’ll hear about over breakfast tomorrow.” I pulled the wrapper off my second cupcake. “How much fun she had. How her hair turned blue. How she won’t be able to bathe without a bomb ever again.”“Oh boy, have I created a monster?” She took a bite, her tongue swiping across my favorite lip to get the chocolate off.Jesus.She’d asked a question.I was sure of it.But I couldn’t think of anything but her mouth.“Say that again,” I voiced.Her lips went thin as she smiled. “Did I create a monster?”“A baking monster, for sure.” I glanced down, needing the break, and shoved more sweetness into my mouth. “Sydney, this is delicious. Fuck, I’m sure I already said that.”She snorted. “I’m jealous of your buzz right now.”I glanced up, struck by that breathtaking face. “I’m that obvious?”“Maybe not to just anyone, but your voice changes when you drink.” She quieted as she said, “I know that tone by now and how it gets grittier with each glass of red wine—or in tonight’s case, scotc
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I laughed. “Hell no.” There was only a bite of cupcake left, and I took it down, wishing I had brought my milk. “I used a decorator. The same one who did the main house.”“Ford, it’s stunning.”The colors in here were much different than in my place. The apartment was all white and tan, airy and light. The decorator had chosen the scheme intentionally, knowing I preferred a woman watching my daughter over a man.“I’m glad you like it.”“Love it,” she said, our eyes connecting. “Not like.” Her stare moved to the ceiling, where beams ran across the entire length. “She thought of everything. Important accents that make this small space feel giant and these little touches that soften it.”“Check out in here.” I walked to the bedroom door, turning on the light, and a chandelier over the bed set the whole room aglow.“Wow.”I turned toward her. “Cozy?”“And, quite honestly, a little romantic.” She headed for the en suite, frozen in the doorway. “You put in a tub? Oh my God, look at the size
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She went over to the couch and found a spot between two oversize pillows. Her head nuzzled into one, her feet resting across the other, and the blanket covered her to where I could only see her hair.Go to fucking bed, Ford.I listened to the voice inside me and went over to where the switches were located, turning off the lights. The only ones I kept on were the pendants in the kitchen. I dimmed those, so if she got up, the glow would be enough that she wouldn’t run into anything.When I reached the hallway to my bedroom, I didn’t say good night to her. I didn’t even pause. I just instantly closed the door behind me, my back resting against the wood the moment it was shut.I filled my lungs and released a long, deep exhale.When I tried to move, to walk down the hallway toward my bed, my feet wouldn’t lift. My hands wouldn’t release the door.So, I slid down the flatness until my ass hit the hardwood beneath me.And that was where I stayed.TwelveSydneyI sat on the side of Everly’
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