Page 26 of Single Dad Dilemma

“Oh,” she says, body starting to relax. “That’s a good idea. How’s she liking it?”

I nod. “She really likes it. Every day, when I pick her up, she has some new story to tell me.”

She nods and pulls her eyes from mine.

“She really misses you.”

She looks up with a sad smile. “Well, tell her that I really miss her too.”

“I will,” I agree.

“So, what can I get ya? Coffee, breakfast?”

“I’ll have a cup of coffee and a glazed donut.” I wonder how in the hell I can bring this up.

She gets busy getting out my donut, which she puts in a small bag like it’s a takeout order and then she pours a cup of coffee into a paper cup. She sets both things down on the counter, then rings me up. “That’ll be four sixty-five.”

I hand over my card, and her hand lightly brushes against mine. I feel the shock race through me.

“Can we talk?” I ask as she’s handing the card back.

“Talk?” Her brows furrow together.

I nod. “About us?”

“Oh, you want to talk about us. Well, there’s not much to talk about. We haven’t been an us in…well, ever.”

“I know, and that’s what I want to talk about. Will you come over later? After Margo goes to bed. I really don’t want to drag her back into this if it can be avoided. Not until…not now, anyway,” I say, changing my mind. I was going to say not until we’re sure of our relationship, but I don’t know if she wants a relationship and I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch.

“Um, I don’t know, Carson. I mean, is that a good idea? Being close to one another again? I mean, we couldn’t even handle that before.”

“I promise I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. We’ll just sit out on the back deck, have a beer, and talk.”

She nods. “Okay. One drink.”

I show her my palms again. “One drink. That’s all,” I promise.

She nods.

“So, I’ll see you around nine? Just to make sure that Margo is good and asleep?”

“I’ll be there,” she agrees.

I nod and smile, taking my things and turning for the door. I pull it open but pause before stepping through it. “Oh, and Violet?”

She turns to face me.

“You look beautiful.”

She smiles but doesn’t reply. I can’t help but to notice how much more beautiful she looks today than before. Her long hair seems even more shiny, her skin slightly dewy. Her eyes are bright and wide, and she seems to have gained a few pounds, but all in the right areas. Her breasts and hips are more curvy now, and I can’t keep them off my mind as I make my way to the truck.

The rest of the day goes by slower than normal. Working on my boat keeps my mind off it for most of the day, but then I have to finish up and go pick up Margo. We come home, have dinner, play, and watch TV, then she goes for a bath and bed. She’s out by eight-thirty, and I take a quick shower in preparation for Violet. At nine on the dot, she’s knocking on the door.

I open it with a smile, happy that’s she’s finally arrived. “Hey, come in.”

“I hope I’m not too early,” she says, stepping into the foyer.

“No, not at all. Marg’s has been out for over a half hour already. Daycare really takes it out of her.” I lead the way into the living room and then to the kitchen. I reach into the fridge. “Beer?”

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