Page 5 of Big Obsession

I pull Dolly against my side. “Sure.”

Josie looks between Dolly and me. “Well, uh, I was wondering if you’d like to bring Ace over for a playdate. The kids can play, and we can get to know each other.”

I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I put an arm around Dolly’s shoulder. “What do you think, honey? A playdate with...” I look at Josie. “I’m sorry, what’s your son’s name?”

Dolly answers for her. “Tate. Uh, I’m sure Ace would love that. Maybe at the next practice, we can talk out the details.”

The woman is stunned by the turn of events. She doesn’t back out, but she does nod her head and then practically trips over herself to get away. As soon as Dolly and I are alone, I point to her car. “Unlock it, and I’ll put your chair in the back.”

She does as I ask, and I put the chair into the trunk of her car. I shut the door and walk up to where she and Ace are standing. Ace is trying to talk her into having dinner with us.

“I wish I could, buddy, but I have plans with friends, and I don’t feel right breaking them last minute.”

Ace takes it well. “Okay. Are you coming to my practice this weekend?”

She nods, still avoiding my gaze. “Yes, I’ll be here.”

They hug, and I put a hand on Ace’s shoulder. “Right, well, I guess I’ll talk to you later, Dolly.”

She nods, and I walk around to open her car door for her. “Don’t forget.”

She stops next to her car. “Forget what?”

I lean in. “Don’t forget that you promised you’d call me if you need anything.”

Her eyes light up, and she looks at me questioningly. “You meant that?”

I chuckle, sensing that she’s playing with me, but I still remind her, “I meant everything I said tonight, and you promised.”

She smiles. “You’re right. I promised. I’ll call you.”

She gets into her car, and I shut the door. I would stand here and watch her drive away if my son wasn’t shaking with excitement. “Dad, let’s go! I’m starving.”

I pull out my phone. “Come on, Ace. I’ll order some pizza, and you can eat a slice on the way home.”

As soon as I place the order, all I can think about is Dolly and how I wish she was here with Ace and me. I miss her when she’s not with us.

CHAPTER 4

DOLLY

I pull my cell phone from my pocket and sit on the couch.

When I was out earlier, I received a text from Tucker asking me to call him when I got home.

It’s not uncommon for us to talk on the phone, but this seems different. Hell, since he admitted that he doesn’t trust himself around me earlier, it’s felt different. I’m still not sure what to make of that, but I’m not going to put much weight into it.

I look at my phone, reading the text again. I’m sure he wants to discuss Ace and our plans on how to coordinate schedules.

I punch the button on my phone to call him, and as it rings, I hold my breath.

“Dolly,” he answers.

I sit up a little taller. “Hey, Tuck. I got your message. Everything okay?”

There’s a pause, and I’m about to ask him about Ace when Tucker clears his throat. “Uh, yeah, everything is okay. How was dinner?”

I stand up from the couch and start pacing my small living room. “Good, it was good.”

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