Page 34 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

But she doesn’t respond in kind, the way I’d hoped. Instead, she just smiles.

“Thanks, Greg,” she says.

Her words aren’t unkind, but they’re definitely distant, and I find myself wondering what’s going on between us. I want to win her over. I’m just not sure how I’m supposed to feel with an answer like that.

18

GREG

“You look beautiful,” I tell Sarah as she opens the door for tonight’s date.

I’ve got the limo waiting for us, and a reservation at the most exclusive restaurant in town, hoping to share a special evening with just the two of us.

“Thanks,” she says, blushing a little. It gives me hope that the weirdness between us lately is finally waning.

But when we get into the car, she doesn’t cuddle up to me like I’d hoped. The few inches she’s left between us feel like a chasm, one that I’m determined to close.

“How’s your day been?” I ask her, reaching over to take her hand in a show of affection that I hope will warm her to me again.

She squeezes back a little, and even though it’s not much, at least it’s something. I’m not the kind of guy to give up easily, and I know there’s something between us, even if it’s cooled a little recently.

“Oh, you know. Just running around after the kids as usual,” she tells me, but she doesn’t make eye contact.

I suddenly wonder if she’s hiding something. Did she see the other guy today? Is that why she’s distant with me?

A flash of anger sparks in my chest as I think about some other man in Sarah’s life, but I push that down. I know the only way to come out on top here is to remind Sarah of the connection we have so she’ll drop this other guy. I can’t come across like a jealous maniac. Plus, I might have someone looking into who he is so I can give him … a stern talking-to.

I try again.

“How was Mia’s spelling bee?” I ask.

“It was good,” Sarah replies, and she actually looks at me this time. “She got third place.”

She smiles and I smile back, feeling like maybe we’re making some progress after all. Encouraged by her renewed warmth, I shift a little closer. “That’s great!”

But suddenly it’s like her affection wanes. She doesn’t move away or anything, but I can feel her stiffen, and she drops her gaze from my eyes, staring out the window instead.

The sudden change is like a shock of cold water, and I’m left wondering what happened. Is she thinking about him? I know we haven’t had the exclusive talk yet, but I really like Sarah and the thought of her choosing someone else over me isn’t something I can stand for. The prospect of another guy inhabiting her mind, especially during a date with me, makes me more determined than ever to win her back.

“We’re here,” I say with a grin as the limo rolls up to Le Chatière.

I jump out of the car and around to the other side to open Sarah’s door for her. I’m determined to make tonight romantic.

Sarah turns to look, momentarily stunned. But she quickly recovers.

“I bet this is where you take all the girls,” she jokes as I help her out of the limo.

“Only the special ones,” I quip back, glad that she’s in a joking mood.

But the same stiffness I felt from her in the car remains as I offer her my arm and we walk inside. It’s like one minute she’s drawn to me and the next minute repelled. I can only guess it’s a sign of her wavering between me and this other guy, who I had been doing my best to convince myself was just a figment of my imagination. The thought of it makes me tense too.

Still, I do my best to show Sarah I’m a gentleman, pulling out her seat for her and recommending dishes I think she might like when she seems overwhelmed by French cuisine.

“Thank you,” she says after I’ve helped her order her meal. “I have no idea about French food.”

“My pleasure,” I tell her, happy she seems to be opening up again. “You know, I had no idea what I was doing the first time I ate French food, either. Which just happened to be in France. I was in a business meeting with some important clients, and I ended up with a giant plate of raw meat. I was terrified of insulting them so I had to eat the whole thing. It was a disaster.”

I laugh and am relieved to find Sarah laughing along with me.

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