Page 20 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“I think it’s time for another ride!” Greg proclaims. Noah and Mia cheer, but Ethan looks distressed. “What’s wrong?” Greg asks him, immediately picking up on Ethan’s bad reaction.

“The coasters are scary,” Ethan says. His cheeks are flushed with embarrassment. But Greg looks at him with calm understanding and places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“That’s alright, we should pick a ride everyone can do this time.”

Ethan’s eyes get a little bright. The gesture makes me feel like there are stars in my eyes. I’m completely falling for how gentle and kind he is to my kids, even when they’re being a little difficult.

But then Greg points to the Ferris wheel, and that look of fear comes right back to Ethan’s face.

“What’s wrong? Too big?” Greg asks. Ethan nods slowly.

“Don’t be such a baby!” Mia cries.

“Hey now, let’s not make fun of someone for having a fear of heights,” Greg replies. “Sometimes even the bravest men get dizzy up high.”

Mia snaps her mouth shut and looks down at her shoes. “Sorry, Ethan,” she whispers. “I just really want to ride the Ferris wheel.”

“We can do that later,” I remind her. “Ethan, why don’t you pick out a ride that Ollie can do too?”

Ethan looks around the fair for a moment before pointing to the left. “Let’s do that one!”

Everyone turns to look at a ride of giant strawberries rotating in circles on an equally round track. A more agrarian take on the teacup ride. I’m suddenly very aware of the ice cream still sitting in my and the kids' stomachs.

“Is that alright with everyone?” Greg asks. All five kids reply with a gigantic cheer, Ollie screaming the loudest. I resign myself to my fate, remembering I still have plenty of wet wipes.

Thankfully, the ride goes much smoother than I feared. All seven of us are crammed into one strawberry vehicle, and it is difficult to spin the steering wheel too fast. Though Ollie and Lily certainly try.

Next is the Ferris wheel, and Ethan isn’t the only one who hangs back. Lily goes pale upon seeing the wheel up close, taking in exactly how big it really is.

“I’ll watch them. You go ahead and have fun,” Greg insists. “We’ll have ourselves a treat when you get back.”

I can’t help but notice Greg almost looks relieved to play babysitter this round. I recall his speech about brave men being dizzy up high. Was he speaking from experience?

Ollie sits in my lap while Noah and Mia marvel at the sights from the enclosed cart. It’s a short, easy little ride, and we’re back on the ground in a matter of minutes. I think for a moment how romantic it could’ve been to ride it with Greg, but that disappointment quickly evaporates at the sight in front of me.

Greg is standing there waiting for us, smiling that big smile again. In his hands are half a dozen different colored clouds of cotton candy. Ethan and Lily already have their own in hand.

“Who wants what?” Greg asks, bending down for the other three kids to select theirs.

“Greg, oh my gosh, this is so much,” I state in gratitude. So much sugar, my mind finishes. But I push that concern aside. One day of indulgence won’t hurt them.

“It’s unicorn hair,” Lily states matter-of-factly.

“Oh, obviously. I’ll take orange,” I say as I select exactly that. It doesn’t seem to have any sort of flavor I would associate with the color orange, and I assume they all must taste the same. We begin to stroll towards the magician show starting soon, and I absentmindedly let my free hand grab onto Greg’s. He doesn’t remove it and doesn’t even seem to think it strange. In fact, he squeezes my hand a little, affectionately.

I smile to myself, feeling a warmth overcome any hesitance or doubts I may have been holding onto. This feels like a family to me now. A family that’s possible.

A family I desperately want.

11

GREG

My heart jumps into my throat as I hear the doorbell ring. I’ve been over my mental checklist a dozen times now, but I give it one more go as I make my way to the door. Popcorn is ready. Julia, our nanny, is prepared to handle five kids all night. The playroom is stocked with toys, the movie library is packed, and my private theater is ready to go.

This is the first one-on-one date Sarah and I have managed to make happen since our very first date. I want it to go absolutely perfectly. Every date since has involved our children. And there’s nothing wrong with that since blending our families together is incredibly important. But so is lighting that romantic flame between us. So while our kids will be in the same place as us, they’ll be in the playroom with Julia while we have time alone.

I’m sure I’ve planned this night perfectly. I open the door and greet Sarah and her two kids with a big smile. Ethan and Mia are carrying backpacks and board games, jumping up and down in excitement for their night of fun.

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