Page 43 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“We’ll go with menu two please,” I tell him, and a flurry of movement results in several silver plates being set on the table.

“And please,” I add. “Ask if the other patrons would like to enjoy menu one, on me.”

“Certainly, sir,” he answers before delivering the French cuisine to the other parents who have been watching us.

I only have eyes for Sarah, though, and I look on with delight as she relishes the sight and scent of her meal.

“I hope I remembered correctly,” I say as she surveys the gourmet Caesar salad in front of her.

She looks up at me with a grateful smile.

“You did,” she replies. “I actually can’t believe you did.”

I can barely contain my pride. “I paid attention on every date,” I tell her.

A flicker of a shadow passes across Sarah’s face, darkening her otherwise sunny disposition, but it passes quickly and I wonder if I was mistaken.

“Well, thank you, it’s very sweet of you,” she says.

While the kids play, we enjoy our lunch, making light conversation. I know this isn’t the time or place to bring up what’s happening between us. And besides, I’m still not sure if or how I even want to broach the topic, especially now that things seem to be going a little better than they were before.

But I do take the time to look for signs that Sarah is warming up to me again.

She still isn’t entirely open to me, but the conversation is much less stilted than it has been recently, and we share a few laughs and a few moments of closeness.

At one point, her hand clasps mine in thanks. Another time she lets me reach over to brush an eyelash off her cheek and even makes a wish at my insistence.

And when the kids come running over, asking for their own lunch, Sarah is impressed that I remembered them, too.

“Everyone gets their favorite today!” I say, motioning for the waiter to bring in the smaller dishes I’d arranged for the kids.

“Spaghetti!” cries Mia in the cutest possible way when she’s presented with her dish. Her eyes widen comically, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Watermelon!” yells Ethan, equally excited at his meal.

Sarah grins, clearly impressed I remembered her kids’ favorites as well as her own, not to mention my kids’ too.

“What do we say?” she asks Mia and Ethan, who are ready to devour their meals.

The two kids look up before running over and hugging me enthusiastically.

“Thank you, Greg!” they cry in unison, and my heart melts a little.

When I look up at Sarah I can see hers is doing the same thing, and I count myself very lucky to still have a chance with this woman and her wonderful kids.

It doesn’t take long for the children to devour their meals. As I watch them and laugh at their antics, I know for certain that I don’t want to lose this. Any of it.

I want Sarah, Mia, and Ethan in my life and the lives of my kids. We make an amazing family and even though it’s been rocky lately, there’s real love here. Not just between me and Sarah, but between all of us.

This is way too special to lose.

As the kids finish their meals and wipe their faces, I resolve to face this head-on. I don’t want to take any chances and decide that the next time Sarah and I meet, it will be to talk about where this is going. I need her to know I’m in this for the long haul, and after that, as Eric so bluntly put it, Sarah will choose what’s right for her.

I know I’ll do whatever it takes to be what’s right for her. I only hope it’s enough.

23

SARAH

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