Page 40 of Small Town Daddy

"Marcus leaned back in his chair, eyes thoughtful. 'There's the carnival in town tonight,' he said, like it was an afterthought.

I perked up, heart skipping a beat. “I love carnivals! I haven’t been to the Small Falls carnival since I was a kid,” My voice held a teasing lilt. “Maybe I'll see you there.”

His lips curved into that slow smile of his, the one that made my stomach flip. “Maybe.”

The unspoken invitation hung between us—a silent promise wrapped in possibility. The room felt electric, charged with something new and thrilling.

As we cleared the table, our fingers brushed, a small spark that set off a chain reaction inside me. I bit my lip, trying to focus on stacking plates instead of the warmth spreading through mychest. Marcus stood close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him, a magnetic pull that was hard to ignore.

“Thanks for breakfast,” he said, his voice low and sincere.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Anytime.”

But inside, I was anything but composed. My mind raced ahead to the evening, imagining the vibrant chaos of the carnival. It was as if the day had split open, revealing layers of bright possibilities.

After breakfast, I decided it was time to head home. “I should get going,” I said, reluctantly pulling away from the moment. “I feel like I should do a little painting today. Get back on track.”

“You want my help?”

“I do—but I also know you need to run your store. I’m not going to be responsible for you running your business into the ground.”

He chuckled and nodded, understanding in his gaze. “Fair enough, Little one. I'll walk you to the door.”

We moved together, almost in sync, each step filled with an unsaid awareness. At the threshold, we paused, facing each other.

Then he kissed me—soft and lingering, a goodbye and a promise all at once. It left me breathless, craving more.

“See you later,” he murmured, voice a soft rumble that sent shivers down my spine.

I gave him a mischievous smile, holding Mr. Whiskers close. “Maybe you will, Daddy.” I replied, turning away before the flush on my cheeks gave me away.

As I walked out into the day, the promise of the carnival played on repeat in my mind. It was a game we both knew we wanted to play, and the stakes felt exhilaratingly high.

***

I must confess, I didn’t get much painting done that day.

How could I, with the promise of the carnival to come? I mean, I didsome. A single coat, in my bedroom, of the neutral color I’d chosen, and an undercoat in the kitchen. I was glad that I’d managed to get something done, despite my distraction.

What did I do for the rest of the day?

Why, planning my outfit, mostly.

I stood in front of my closet, fingers brushing the fabric of each dress. My mind spun with thoughts of Marcus and our unspoken plan to "accidentally" meet at the carnival. The excitement was a restless flutter in my chest.

"Focus, Lucy," I whispered to myself, tapping a finger against my chin. My eyes landed on a breezy sundress, its vibrant colors echoing the festive spirit of the carnival. Perfect. I slipped it on, feeling the cool fabric settle around me, light and full of promise.

As I got ready, a mix of nervousness and thrill coursed through me. It was like riding a roller coaster, that moment when you're climbing toward the top, heart racing, knowing something big is about to happen.

"Okay, Mr. Whiskers, wish me luck," I said, glancing at my Stuffie who was lounging lazily on the bed. Thinking twice about leaving him, I grabbed my old friend and stuffed him in my bag.

With one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my bag and keys, heading out into the world that felt suddenly bright with possibilities.

The town square buzzed with life. Stalls lined the cobblestone paths, draped in colorful banners. The air hummed with laughter and music, a cheerful medley underscoring the chatter of families and friends. Kids darted past, their faces sticky with cotton candy, while couples strolled hand-in-hand, sharing shy smiles.

I wandered through the crowd, senses alive with the scents of caramel popcorn and grilled sausages. My heart beat faster withevery step, the hope of running into Marcus dancing at the edge of my awareness.

"Hey there, Lucy!" someone called, and I waved back absentmindedly, my focus still on scanning the crowd. Where was he? The anticipation was electric, a live wire of possibility threading through the evening air.

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