Page 39 of Husband of the Year
“Yes, Daddy,” I say and Nick’s neck turns bright red.
“Yes, Daddy,” Jill says, pulling Maria from the chair and handing her to me.
“She can have one cookie, Guncle Marvin,” Jill says. “One.”
“Daddy!” Chicken and rice waft from Maria’s mouth as she adjusts to my hold.
“Not Daddy. Marvin,” Jill says. “Your Guncle Marvin is going to watch you tonight. You’re wearing your rainbow pajamas for him.”
“Daddy?” Maria asks.
“I’m Daddy.” Nick boops her nose.
“She’s two,” Jill says. “She thinks every man is her daddy.”
“Relatable,” I say.
“One cookie, then brush your teeth, sweetie,” Nick says. He kisses Maria on the forehead and she leans up to plant one on his lips. As he looks at his daughter, it’s as if he sees the entire universe encapsulated within her tiny body.
Yeah, doting dads are definitely my kryptonite.
Jill glances at her watch. “One cookie. One.” She puts up her index finger. “Then bed. We have to go if we’re going to make our reservation. Kellaria is squeezing us in.”
“A fancy new Greek restaurant.” Nick shrugs. “I wanted to go to The Olive Garden, but this one”—he nods toward his wife—“wants fancy hummus.”
“Listen. We’re going out. We’re dressed up. I’m not having casual Italian at reasonable prices.”
“But they bring you endless breadsticks. Endless. Breadsticks,” Nick says.
“And bottomless salad,” I add.
Nick makes puppy dog eyes at Jill and she smacks his ass.
“I’ll give you bottomless. Let’s go!”
“Marvin, text us if you need anything.” Nick winks at me. “We’ll be home by ten.”
Jill and Nick grab their coats and leave me holding Maria. She’s calm for a moment, and then squirms, reaching for the closed door.
“Daddy?”
“No, I’m Marvin. Your daddy will be home soon.”
Maria glances at me, then the door, and bursts into tears.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
After three cookies, Maria and I head upstairs to brush her teeth. Who are they trying to fool with these toddler cookies? They’re tiny. Half a bite at best. Denying Maria more would be almost inhumane, especially when she stared at me with her giant, pleading puppy dog eyes. She was missing her parents. They were a good distraction. I tried one, and they weren’t bad. I ate six.
“Daddy want teeth?” With jet black hair escaping her mini-ponytail, Maria stands near the bathroom sink, pointing.
“Remember, I’m your Uncle Marvin?” I ask and realize, nope, for tonight, like the gays on the hookup apps, I’m just another daddy to her.
“Daddy wants you to brush your teeth.” I take her small purple toothbrush and put a small dot of toothpaste. “And Mommy too.”
“Mommy?”
Maria’s eyes begin to bulge, the lower lids become puffy, and oh crap, I mentioned she who shall not be named when she’s not within grabbing distance.
