Page 56 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

But Eric, it seems, didn’t really get the memo and I'm here to deliver it.

“Well, well, well,” Eric says as the door swings open and he catches sight of me. “Two visits in two weeks. I’d almost think you’re more interested in me than in Sarah. Though I’m afraid the feeling isn’t mutual.”

The same sly grin as last time crosses his face, but it doesn’t irk me in the same way. Now I can see through his tricks, and that feels good. I know I’m in control of this conversation, and soon he’ll know that, too.

“You’re not my type,” I say, and Eric even laughs a little. “But I did want to talk to you about Sarah again.”

“Ah yes, the lovely Sarah,” he says. “I was thinking I might stop by her office today and invite her to lunch.”

He’s testing me clearly, hoping I’ll take the bait. But I have no need for insecurity or uncertainty now, no need to feel threatened, and I intend to make sure he knows that.

“Well, from what she told me, your last attempt to visit her at the office was entirely unwelcome. And in any case, I don’t think it would be appropriate for you to try again,” I tell him, my voice firm but friendly. “She’s said she’s not interested. And she’s also engaged to me.”

Eric’s smile immediately drops from his face, and I can tell the news is a genuine shock to him.

“Wait, what?” he asks, and I see a glimmer of the man beneath the mask. “Are you serious?”

I nod. “We’re in love, Eric. And our families already fit together so well. We’re working hard to create a future together. Besides, if she was interested in your advances, maybe she’d be engaged to you.”

For a second, he looks stunned. Then he shakes his head.

“I didn’t know things were so serious between you two,” he says thoughtfully. “Honestly, I thought you were just messing around the same way I was, you know? Just a fun rivalry.”

The ridiculousness of this statement actually makes me laugh, but it’s not unkind.

“Eric, Sarah is a human being, not a toy to fight over. And really, if you knew how much trouble your ‘fun rivalry’ has caused…” I trail off, shaking my head at how unnecessary all this has been.

When I look back up, though, Eric seems pained.

“I’m sorry, man, that was never my intention,” he says, his voice heavy. “I hope you two are okay now.”

I’m actually touched by this uncharacteristic display of concern from Eric, and I realize I may have underestimated him. Maybe he’s not so bad after all.

Maybe what I read as snapping at his kids was his way of showing he cares about them. Maybe he argues at the PTO meetings because he’s actually passionate about his ideas. Maybe his remarks about the science fair just come from a place of trying to protect his kids from failure.

I still don’t necessarily agree with his methods, but I can see there’s more to Eric than I first thought and that goes a long way in easing the tension between us.

“We’re great now,” I say in answer to his concern. “And actually, in some ways I guess the challenges were a good test for us. It’s clear we want to be together and nothing can get in the way of that. Not even you, it seems.”

At this I grin, showing Eric that it’s all water under the bridge now. He laughs a little, some of the guilt I saw before now dissipating.

“Well, congratulations,” he says and I can tell he means it. “And please give my apologies to Sarah. I really hope you two are happy together and I’m glad I managed not to screw it up for you. Even though I really tried.”

We both chuckle at this, and I suddenly get the sense that everything is finally going to be okay now that it’s all out in the open. I realize I should probably have done this weeks ago.

“Thank you,” I say, holding out my hand. “I hope you do find someone if that’s what you’re looking for.”

Eric thrusts his hand into mine and we shake, putting an end to the ‘fun rivalry’ as he saw it, or ‘cutthroat competition,’ as I saw it.

“No hard feelings?” Eric asks.

“No hard feelings,” I say. “But as for that apology to Sarah, I think you should tell her yourself. You have her number, right?”

Eric nods. “You don’t mind me messaging her?”

“She’s her own person,” I say. “So that’s something you should ask her. But I get the feeling that as long as you’re not trying to get her to go out on a date, it should be fine.”

Eric nods again. “You don’t have to worry about me,” he says sincerely.

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