Page 18 of Single Dad Dilemma

Violet looks at me with a grin. “Is that so?”

I nod. “I do. Every time, without fail. I don’t know why I bother looking at menus anymore.” I drop it onto the table.

The waitress makes her way over. “Here’s that money, Violet.” She passes her some cash and then looks at the rest of us. “You folks ready to order?”

“Margo will have a corn dog and fries. And I think Violet and I will have cheeseburgers and fries.”

“Oh, you don’t have to buy,” Violet interjects.

“It’s fine. After yesterday, I owe you,” I insist.

“And to drink?” the waitress asks.

“Apple juice,” Margo says.

“Just a water for me, please,” Violet adds on.

“I’ll just have water too. Thanks.”

The waitress walks away and leaves us alone.

“That spaghetti you made was amazing. What did you do differently?”

Violet’s cheeks turn a soft pink. “I just added in a few things.” She bats her eyelashes. “I’ll have to give you my recipe.”

“I would like that,” I tell her.

Lunch arrives and we devour it, talking casually as we finish up our food.

“Violet, Daddy said that we could have a scary movie night tonight. Will you come?”

“Scary movies?” Violet asks.

I lean forward. “They’re not scary movies. It’sHocus Pocus. Margo is getting impatient for Halloween, so we’re starting early. We’re going to have popcorn and candy. The whole shebang”

“Wow,” she says, looking back at Margo. “Hocus Pocusis my favorite Halloween movie of all time.Halloweentownis my second. Have you seen that one?”

Margo shakes her head. “Dad, can we watch that too?”

I laugh. “I don’t see why not. So, what do you think, Violet?”

Violet smiles. “I would love to. What time?”

“After dinner? Say, around six?”

She nods, smile wide. “It’s a date,” she agrees, looking at Margo and reaching out to tickle her.

Margo giggles and tries pushing her hands away, but she’s too weak. Violet knows to pull back. She looks up at me with a smile.

“Should I bring anything?” she asks.

“I have plenty of popcorn and candy,” I tell her, but Margo butts in.

“Cookies! The yummy ones.”

Violet laughs but nods. “Okay. I’ll see you guys tonight then.”

I take Margo’s hand and lead her toward the door. She skips out ahead of me, and I wave one last time to Violet before chasing after her.

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