Page 23 of The Single Dad Dilemma

“I broke up with my ex over a year ago,” I say. “She says it’s time to move on. I’m not hung up on him or anything. Just apprehensive about putting myself out there again.”

“Dating can be tough,” he says. “But a woman like you? I’m sure you’ll have no trouble. I’m sure they’re lining up for a chance.”

I think the seventeen-year-old inside me just yelped and shoved her face into her pillow on her twin bed below a poster of One Direction.

“Darcy, I?—”

A knock at the door interrupts him, his head snapping in the direction before he jumps up from the couch like he was just caught making out in the movie theater.

“Damn, they’re early,” he says. “I have to pack her bag.”

Cool, cool. But my mind is still back on that sentence you didn’t finish, my dude.I need to know what you were about to say.

“I’ll grab the door, if you want to run back and get her together?” I offer.

His state of panic signals my “help mode,” and the next thing I know, he’s disappearing down the hallway and leaving me to open the door for Lou’s grandparents. Vanessa’s parents.

When I open the door, I’m greeted with the sight of the most put-together elderly couple I’ve ever seen.

Alma’s shiny gray hair is cut into a blunt bob at her shoulders, perfectly framing her naturally aging face. But I can tell she uses a couple of expensive skincare products. She’s wearing brown slacks and a white blouse, and I do mean blouse. There’s no way I can just call this a shirt. She’s adorned with dainty gold jewelry and strappy shoes. Didn’t he say they lived on a farm? I guess I was expecting something a bit more… farmer-y.

George is dressed in pressed khakis and a light blue polo shirt like he’s primed and ready for the golf course. Seriously, what farm is this?

“You must be Darcy!” Alma says, coming in to embrace me without a second of hesitation. “It’s so nice to meet you. Ridge has said so many nice things about you this week.”

“Pleased to meet you,” George adds, extending his hand for a shake. I take his hand after Alma releases me.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well,” I say, addressing both of them. “Lou speaks fondly of you. She’s very excited to visit you this weekend.”

“Grandma!” Lou’s voice cuts into the room as she runs past me and into Alma’s open arms. It’s such a sweet moment that I can’t look away. It makes me secondhand happy for Lou and how many people love her, even if her mom isn’t here.

“Hey, pumpkin,” Alma says, embracing her into a hug. “You ready to go?”

“She is!” Ridge says, bounding into the room as he zips up her bag. That’s gotta be a record for the fastest packing.

“Good to see you, son,” George says, taking Ridge’s hand for a firm shake. The older man seems to sincerely mean that. I can tell it’s not a pleasantry exchanged by obligation.

“And you, sir,” Ridge says. “And I assume you’ve all introduced yourselves?” His question is directed at all of us, so I nod.

“Yes, we were just talking with Darcy here, but sweetie, you didn’t tell us how pretty she is,” Alma says, eyeing Ridge.

Oh my god, what?Warmth spreads over my chest and up my throat. I swear old people just say literally whatever they want.

“Uh,” Ridge says, clearing his throat. “Um, I didn’t… Well, I mean, I…”

“Stop butting in, dear,” George says, saving Ridge—and by extension, me—from certain embarrassment.

The pair of them collect Lou and her bag and a few additional items and say their goodbyes. Ridge gives Lou a big hug and says he’ll see her Sunday but to call him before bed. It’s sweet to watch the interaction.

When the door shuts behind them, leaving just the two of us, Ridge huffs out a loud, lengthy sigh.

“Sorry about that,” he says. “Alma insists I have to ‘get back out there’ or whatever.” He makes quotations in the air as he says it, rolling his eyes in a way that makes me think some of the embarrassment may have already taken root before George’s interruption.

“It’s okay.” I laugh a little, hoping to break up the tension. “They seem like very nice people, and they seem to care about you just as much as they do Lou.”

“They do,” he says. “My parents aren’t in my life. It’s nice to have Vanessa’s parents to call or see on holidays.”

A moment of silence falls over us, and it’s a bit awkward. He’s staring at me and I stare right back. I don’t know what to say because even though my grandmother loved me, I still longed for my parents. I had a tough time. I can’t imagine missing them plus trying to raise a kid myself. I’m glad he has them to lean on.

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