Page 9 of Dating the DILF
I quickly minimize the screen, which is what I should have done as soon as Camden walked in. Clearly, I’m no brainiac, either.
“No one.” I push away from my desk and start to stand, only for Cam to push me back down to sit.
“Notno one.” His eyes narrow shrewdly. “Did you meet someone?”
My mind flashes briefly to the gorgeous brunette from Whole Foods. I haven’t felt that way talking to a woman in a long time. Like I was myself again. Not the defensive, waiting-for-shit-to-hit-the-fan guy I’ve been for the last ten months. She was beautiful, there is no doubt about that. But it was the intelligence in her bright green eyes and the way her smile lit up her entire face that really captivated me. That one smile brightened her whole aesthetic and she went from unapproachable beauty to a girl I can imagine watching sappy romantic comedies with while cuddling on the sofa.
Not that I’m into rom-coms or cuddling. I’m clearly far too masculine for that.
I give a reluctant sigh because I have known Camden long enough to know he won’t let this drop.
“I might have met someone,” I begrudgingly admit. “But we were—” I pause and consider how to continue, Charlotte’s face bright with embarrassment clear in my mind. I doubt that’s a story she would want me to spread around. “Interrupted and I didn’t have a chance to get her number.”
“So, you’re Facebook stalking her with just a first name and city?” He snorts at me in amusement. “Well, good luck with that.”
“Yeah, it’s not looking good,” I admit wryly.
Camden stands and stretches his long arms over his head, groaning. “Before I forget, Shannon wants to invite you guys to dinner tomorrow night, are you free?”
“I’m always available for Shannon. Feel free to make yourself scarce though, it’s been too long since I had some alone time with your wife.” I waggle my eyebrows at him, highly enjoying the annoyance that flits over his face.
“Stop trying to hit on my wife, asshole. Besides, the kids will all be there so there will be no alone time.”
“Ah, well, that sucks.”
“Welcome to my life, dick.” He starts to leave before he stops and turns back. “I really do hope you find her.” He nods back to the computer. “Your girl. I know how hard it’s been since—Well, I know you’ve had a tough time these last few years, and people have said a lot of shit about you, but you’re a good guy and you deserve to be happy.” He kneads his neck, obviously uncomfortable with this heart-to-heart. “Even if you do like my wife a littletoomuch.”
I watch him leave, laughing, and then turn back to my computer.
Charlotte Chicago, where are you?
“Daddy?” Lulu snuggles down into her blankets as I close the pages ofLove You Foreverand lie down next to her, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“What’s up, kiddo?”
“It’s mybirthday ’morrow?”
I chuckle quietly at the question she has asked every day since we went to Tyson’s birthday party last weekend.
I stretch my arms up and place them behind my head. “Not even close, kid. It’s still a few months away.”
I turn to look at her and see her bottom lip is sticking out in a goddamn pout.
I’m so screwed when she’s a teenager.
“How about we go to the aquarium tomorrow? We haven’t gone to see the penguins in a long time.” I cross my fingers that her penguin obsession will be enough to distract her from her birthday delusions.
She rolls over and curls into me, her hand reaching up to play with my hair. “No, we go see Momma.”
My eyes immediately search out the picture on her dresser. It was taken on Renee’s twenty-first birthday and she looks young, beautiful, and happy. It’s how I will always remember her.
“You want to go visit Momma?”
“Yup. We gonna eat cake.” Lulu giggles against my chest, the sound easing the tension that was beginning to pulse in my temple.
Losing Renee was the worst moment of my life wrapped up in the very best moment. An undiagnosed heart condition resulted in her having a fatal heart attack during Lulu’s birth. In one horrifying moment, I lost my best friend and gained a tiny human who was dependent on me for everything, and there are times I still don’t know how I made it through those early days.
We talk about her mother often. I’ve always been determined to somehow keep the memory of her alive for Lulu, which sometimes feels impossible. How do you help your daughter bond with a picture? Or a story? How do I make herfeelthe love her mother had for her, when she never got a chance to experience it?
