Page 16 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“Sarah, I’m only trying to look out for you and your children’s best interests. And it's not just about what he is, it’s about who Greg is.” Eric looks at me with concern. It’s washing over me, making me feel anxious. Part of me doesn't trust that he’s speaking with honesty, but another part is panicking about what he has to say.

“I know who Greg is,” I state firmly, in spite of the creeping anxiety.

“You really don’t,” Eric replies. He trails his fingers over my arm, down to my hand. “You want to hear what I have to say about him.”

I narrow my eyes, memories of my previous romantic dealings flooding back to me. He’s manipulating me.

“No, I don’t,” I state firmly. I wrench my hand back and stand, purse on my shoulder and drink abandoned. I simply walk out without looking back. It’s not until I’m halfway to my meeting place with Lisa that I exhale slowly, releasing the tension and anger I was holding on to.

Vampires have subtle ways of manipulating regular humans. I don’t know which is worse, that he tried to use that power on me or that I let my guard down enough to be swayed. Incredible. And now I’m thinking about Mia and Ethan, how one day they’ll be older and capable of doing the same thing. The last thing they need is an adult influence making that look like acceptable behavior!

I check myself in the rearview mirror and fix my frazzled hair before heading into the deli to meet Lisa. I know she’ll be forgiving if I look disheveled. We’ve been friends since grade school, and she’s always been my biggest cheerleader.

I find her sitting at a table for two, her massive brimmed hat hanging from the back of her chair. She’s pushing up her big horn-rimmed glasses while studying the menu. It’s not until I’m right in front of her that she notices I’m here.

“Sorry I’m late,” I sigh. Lisa makes a sound of dismissal and stands to give me a hug. Her wild brown curls smack me in the face. I’m more than used to it by now.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s going to take me forever to figure out how to order a dang sandwich here.” Lisa sits and pulls the menu right up to her face again. “If only there was a spell to make a menu show exactly what I’m craving right now.”

I sigh and shake my head at my witch friend. “Please don’t talk to me about manipulation magic right now.”

“Why? Hunter back in your life? Please tell me he’s nowhere near you, Sarah. I just want turkey on rye. How is that so hard? What is fire-roasted honey-glazed turkey?”

“No. Eric is trying very hard to insert himself into it, though.”

Lisa immediately drops her menu, mouth hanging open. “No. Shut up. Eric? Eugh. Bleh.” Little starbursts of green explode by her head, extenuating her disgust. “Last time we talked about him, I thought we agreed he wasn’t the right one. Plus, I thought you were dating Greg?”

“I am!” I say, throwing my hands up. “But Eric hasn’t let up since I ran into him at that party, and he’s pretty determined to win me over. Going so far as to use his vampire mind tricks on me. And pretending to like iced coffee.”

“Two suitors. Both of the inhuman variety. Interesting situation to be in,” Lisa says. The waiter comes by and takes our order. Lisa struggles to order a plain turkey sandwich, and I ask for a veggie and hummus wrap. “So, tell me more about Greg.”

I sigh again, happy to have the topic move on from Eric. “He’s kind. Funny. He went all out on turning his own backyard into this fairytale garden experience! And he’s so great with kids. You’d think a guy that wealthy would have nannies do all the work, but he’s so attentive and hands-on.”

My mouth keeps moving, but my brain has stayed right on an image of Greg chasing and gently playing with all five kids. The absolute joy on everyone’s faces, the laughter in the air, the squealing and smiles that filled our days together. My heart warms thinking about it all.

His first date really set the pace for this journey. I truly feel like I’m in a fairytale romance, and happily ever after is somehow within reach.

9

GREG

“Wait, is that where we’re going?” Lily gasps and pushes her face against the rear window. “Is that a circus?”

“Close,” I reply. “It’s a carnival. And Sarah is joining us with her kids, too.”

“There are rides!” Noah yelps. He starts pointing toward the windshield, creating a distraction in my peripheral vision while I’m trying to park.

“I don’t wanna go on the roller coaster,” Ollie whines from his car seat.

“Well, that’s too bad, because you gotta,” Lily teases.

“No, he doesn’t. Ollie, you don’t have to go on any rides if you don’t want to,” I say reassuringly. He’s probably too short for most of them anyway.

“But if he doesn’t go, then someone has to stay behind to watch him!” Noah cries. He’s obviously terrified that the designated person will be him.

“We’ll figure it out when we get to it. Come on, guys, we haven’t even gotten to the ticket booth yet, you can’t start whining!” I turn off the engine and exit the car, helping the kids get out on the other side. Sarah and her kids stroll over to meet us, having parked just a few cars down.

“Hey there,” Sarah says with a wide smile. She looks great, wearing a large brimmed sun hat and her hair in a loose braid. Mia is wearing a matching outfit with large sunglasses protecting her eyes. Ethan’s bucket hat has a cartoon alligator on the front. His sunglasses look more like sportswear, like he’s about to get in a race car. I can’t help but take note of how organized and matching her whole family is. Meanwhile, I struggle to convince my kids to put on footwear.

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