Page 47 of The Single Dad Dilemma

“I’m trying to be a really nice guy,” I say to him, my jaw set sternly. “So how about you don’t talk to her like that.” I plaster on a somewhat neutral expression, really hoping he’ll back off.

“Or what?” Then he pokes me in the chest. The fucker actually pokes me in the chest with his goddamn grubby finger.

Oh boy.

TWENTY-ONE

DARCY

Why does Tyler have to be such a goddamn dickhole? No, he’s worse than a dickhole. He’s the bacteria growing on a sweaty guy’s ballsack.

I watch as Ridge’s hands flex and curl into fists slowly. It’s clear Tyler hasn’t noticed, because he’s busy staring up into Ridge’s face with what I think is supposed to be an intimidating expression. But I’m only scared of what might happen to him if he doesn’t back off.

Just before I’m about to step between them, Tyler’s friend Perry steps in.

“Hey, man, there you are,” Perry says. “Come back here with us.”

He tugs on Tyler’s arm, pulling him back toward another table with three more guys at it. I only know Perry a little and don’t recognize any of the others, which makes me uneasy. I don’t know what kind of people he’s hanging out with these days. When we were together, a few sketchy guys would come around now and then, and I got the same anxious feelings I have now.

Ridge turns toward me, pulling my attention away from them and back to him.

“Are you okay?” he asks, concern in his eyes.

“I’m fine.” I grip tighter at his side.

Lyric leans her head on my shoulder, looking up at Ridge.

“I’m okay, too,” she says, teasing.

Ridge laughs. “Something tells me you don’t let anything bother you, Lyric.”

“You know me so well already,” Lyric says.

“Listen, I’m not worried about those guys,” Ridge offers,“But if you are, I’ll make a call.”

“A call?” I ask. “To who? The police?”

Ridge laughs, shaking his head. “No, I was thinking the guys.”

Well, now this is a conundrum. Because I’m not really all that worried. Ridge strikes me as the type of guy who can handle things when they get out of hand. And those guys are so wasted, they probably wouldn’t land a single punch before they tripped and fell.

But on the other hand, I do want him to call the guys. I like them. They’re fun. And I think Lyric would like them too. Maybe even hit it off with one of them. I have to admit, I haven’t really cared for anyone she’s brought home lately. She doesn’t like anyone I date either. So the running joke is that we use each other as a sort of thermometer, both convinced we won’t like anyone but “the one.” And by that logic, it’s clear neither of us have met Mr. Right.

“Invite them,” I say finally. “I’m not worried, but invite them anyway. They’re fun.”

Ridge laughs, nodding. “I’ll text our group chat.”

“I would pay a lot of money to be a fly on the wall of that chat,” I say, leaning into him.

“What if I don’t want your money?” He taps away on his phone.

“Then I would pay you in sexual favors.”

Ridge stops typing for a moment, looking up at me from his phone screen.

“Are you sure about that? It’s actually pretty boring in here,” he says, wiggling his phone at me.

“You guys are too adorable to be around,” Lyric says. “I’m making a trip to the bar. Invite more people for the love of pickles so I’m not a third wheel.”

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