Page 105 of With a Cherry On Top

I lean against the counter. “Had issues with catering or something?”

“Something. A mom offered to cook, but she’s sick, and...”

“I could take care of that.” Cooking, I can do. It’s the easiest thing to control in my life these days.

“Really?” Relief floods her voice. “You’reamazing. Seriously. I couldn’t ask any of the moms, and I’m not—I mean, I can cook, but I’m not a chef.”

“Happy to be of service.”

“Great. Great. Should I meet you at your place? Maybe tomorrow?”

“You want to meet?”

Movement catches my eye, and I glance up just as Charlotte steps into the room. Her gaze flicks to me, then away as she opens the fridge. Even though I know she’s listening, I turn slightly.

Penny continues. “Yeah. I’m not going to let you do all of it by yourself, with how busy you are. I can help you come up with a menu, at least.”

“Right.” Clearing my throat, I grip the phone a little tighter. “Sure, you can come over. Say, eight p.m. tomorrow?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect. I’ll bring a bottle of wine.”

I blink. “You want to drink?”

“Oh! Not—not forus. Just as a thank-you.”

I switch the phone to the other ear. “No thank-you necessary, really. It’s my pleasure.”

“Well, I’ll see you then.”

“Sure. Bye, Miss Delaney.”

“Penny.”

“Right. Bye, Penny,” I say, ending the call.

When I look up, Charlotte is still standing by the fridge, one hand braced against the door, her eyes fixed on the near-empty shelves like there’s an actual choice to be made.

Then, without turning, she says, “Date?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“It’s not like you care either way, right?” I say, knowing I shouldn’t. I can’t beat her at her own game, and besides, I don’t want to. I don’t know what’s wrong, but something happened. Just like something happened yesterday, when her mom started chatting me up.

I can’t make Charlotte talk, but I don’t want to fight her either.

She moves, closing the fridge door with a sharp click before turning to face me.

“Sadie’s teacher needs help with Mother’s Day,” I explain, folding under her watchful gaze. “The mom in charge of it bailed.”

“Sure they did.” I wait for her to say more as she steps closer, arms folding across her chest. “You’re a newly single father. Handsome and well-mannered. Sweet, with a decent job and a beautiful daughter.”

“And?”

“And you can’t be that naive.”

I stare at her, irritation bubbling up. I suspect Penny is interested, but Charlotte has no right to act jealous. Not after the way she just treated me.

She lifts a shoulder. “Who knows. Maybe you are.”

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