Page 16 of Single Dad's Christmas Gift
“Silly Daddy! That’d be too sweet!”
I chuckle.
“Come on, you’ll get a cold if we stay here any longer.”
She holds onto my hand as we enter the house.
Layla and I agreed to talk to Evie together on Wednesday, after school. It’s early release day, so we’ll have plenty of time to chat. I tamp down the worry over how Evie might react. Right now, she must be my priority. If that means Layla and I have to wait before we can be together, we’ll bear it.
***
Layla
I REACH THE place Fallon and I agreed is best to chat with Evie. It’s a family restaurant with a play area, a half hour drive outside of Blossom Ford. Fallon suggested we come together, but I didn’t want to take the chance of rumors spreading before we told Evie about our relationship. That’s also why we can only talk to each other on the phone for now. Well, that and the fact I haven’t talked to the school principal about dating a parent.
I get a corner table and ask for chamomile tea. I need to calm the butterflies flying around in my stomach. Just because Evieloves me as a teacher doesn’t mean she’ll be happy to see me marry her dad.
I wave to Fallon and Evie when they come through the door. Even though we saw each other a couple of hours ago, Evie hugs me. While the waitress takes our order, she chats about the nativity play.
“Miss. Shah said I’m bright because I know all my lines, even though we have two days to perform,” Evie tells her dad.
Fallon pats her head and compliments her.
Evie glances at him, then at me.
“Poppet, remember how I said Miss. Shah and I want to talk to you?”
Evie bobs her head.
Fallon takes her hand.
“Miss. Shah and I like each other a lot. If it’s okay with you, we want to get married.”
My heart is in my mouth.
Evie looks at me.
“That’s true, Sweetheart. We won’t do anything if you’re not okay with it.” I hold her other hand, meaning every word. If my happiness means hurting her, I don’t want it.
Evie shoves her chair back and runs out.
Fallon heads after her. I follow him out.
Evie is sitting on one swing in the play area. She’s facing away from us, but I saw her look back, probably to check her dad was following. I hold Fallon’s arm.
“Can you let me talk to her first?”
There’s anguish in his grey eyes.
“I’ll wait here.”
Deliberately, I move slowly to give Evie more thinking time. I sit on the adjacent swing, waiting.
“Will mom still be my mom? Can I carry on talking about her?”
My heart breaks a little. I want to hug her. I hold myself back.
“She’ll always be your mom, sweetheart, even if one day you feel like calling me mom too. The memories you have with her keep her alive in your heart. And she was a very special person, because she made you.”
