Page 23 of Paying Daddy's Debt Collector

“I’m so sorry. I know I missed the dog's morning walk and feeding. Are they okay? Should I do it now?” I spit the words out so quickly that they all roll together to form one long jumbled word.

“Relax. The dogs are taken care of. That’s not your job anymore. I mean, you’re welcome to do it if you want but it isn’t your responsibility anymore.”

“Oh, I didn’t know, and because I didn’t, I should have gotten up to do it. I’m so sorry.”

“You went through something pretty traumatic yesterday. You needed to rest. No apology is necessary. How did you sleep?”

“Like a brick.” I smile as some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling washes away.

“Good. Now, you’re welcome to just take it easy for the rest of the day. You can even go back to bed if you like. Just be ready for our date. Say, in about six hours. I have to go take care of a few things now, but I’ll be back to get you around seven.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” I tell him as he cups my face in his hands and kisses me gently.

He picks up his keys and wallet and leaves me standing alone in the kitchen. So, this is really it? Just like that, I’ve gone from dog nanny and kind-of prisoner to girlfriend. It’s just too surreal for me to even comprehend. Things like this don’t happen to girls like me. I don’t even know if I deserve it.

* * *

With only fifteenminutes to spare, I decide that the little green flowered dress I bought on my shopping trip is the fanciest thing I own. It’s casual but new and maybe, if I pair it with my cardigan, it won’t look quite as bad. I didn’t know when I went clothes shopping that I would be expected to have a “date wardrobe.” I just hope Chris isn’t disappointed when he sees me.

I go downstairs and pace a line from the front door to the tall picture windows in the living room. I see his car round the driveway several minutes later and my heart rate quickens. He doesn’t know it but this isn’t just my first date with him. It’s my first real date with anyone.

The front door opens and Chris walks inside. He looks at me and grabs me by my waist. “You’re a little dressed up for what I had in mind, but you look gorgeous, baby girl.”

“I didn’t know what we were doing. I thought I would be underdressed.”

“You’re fine. I just don’t want you to be cold. Give me five minutes so I can change.”

He rushes up the stairs and comes back a few minutes later wearing a tight black tee shirt and dark blue jeans. This is the first time I’ve seen him in tennis shoes. He looks so hot.

“I thought we could go for a walk on the boardwalk and have a little picnic on the beach.”

My eyes light up as I imagine the sights and sounds of the boardwalk. My father had only taken me once before my mother died and I’ve always wanted to go again.

“Seems like you like that idea.”

“I do.” I squeal and leap into his arms.

“Good. Next time, we’ll hit the city for dinner, but tonight, I want you all to myself.”

* * *

There isn’tmuch of a crowd on the boardwalk during the week, but all of the rides and amusements are still open for business. The smells of cotton candy and funnel cake fill the night air, adding to my sense of wonder.

“Aren’t all the lights pretty?” I ask Chris as he takes me by the arm.

“I don’t know. They seem a little busy to me.”

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those ‘white lights only on the Christmas tree’ people.”

“What Christmas tree?” He side-eyes me.

“What? No Christmas tree?”

“Baby, I live alone. Who am I putting up a tree for?”

“Well, we’re just going to have to change that this year,” I say but second-guess myself. Did I just invite myself to live in his house indefinitely?

“If you want a Christmas tree, then you’ll have the biggest tree in the forest.”

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