Page 95 of Dr. Single Dad

There’s a beat of silence, then another, and I feel as if we’re making up for lost time, like the bond between us is deepening, just by being here, holding hands.

“I know you’re a new father and you have a new nanny?—”

“You’re not having your job back, by the way.”

She gives me a look of feigned shock. “You’ve found someone better. I knew you would.”

“Never,” I say. “But I don’t want you to be my employee.”

“Good,” she says with a decisive nod. “Because something I’ve learned about myself is that I can’t sleep with my boss.”

“Who else can’t you sleep with?” I ask. “Because I need to make sure I don’t fall into any of those categories.”

She laughs. “It’s going to be tough. I can’t sleep with guys without a D in their name.”

“Tick. What else?”

“Guys who don’t love their daughters.”

“Tick, tick. What else?”

“Guys without a dimple on their left cheek.”

“Shit,” I say. “Can I get a dimple implant?”

“What?” She pulls forward in her seat and releases my hand before reaching for my cheek. “You have one right here.”

I catch her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist. “If you say so.”

“What about you?” She looks up at me from under her lashes. “Priorities shift and change after becoming a parent. What do you want?”

Isn’t it obvious? Doesn’t she know?

“You,” I say.

I enjoy the blush spreading across her throat.

“You,” I say again. “It’s that simple.”

“Does that mean we’re officially dating?” she asks.

“That means if I thought you wouldn’t freak out and leave for another six weeks, I’d ask you to marry me.”

She sucks in a breath, her eyelashes fluttering as she takes in what I’ve said. “Dax.” Her voice is breathless.

“I’m not asking. But I will. In the meantime, we’ll eat steak. Take Guinevere to the park. Decorate the house. Hang out with your brother and sister, my brothers, my parents. I’ll go to work and try to change the world, you’ll figure out what you’re going to do, and we’ll live our lives together. Just like we’re married.”

She laughs. “That sounds like a great plan, but there’s one wrinkle in it.”

I shake my head. I’m not worried. I started the evening off nervous, but seeing Eira, being with her, watching her watch me—I know. We are inextricably connected. There’s no doubt we’ll be together forever. “Tell me,” I say.

“It may take a while to figure out what I want. I’ve decided I’m going to start at the beginning.”

“Back to university?” I ask.

She nods. “Yup. I’m doing some night school, figuring out what’s interesting, and then I’ll apply. I don’t have a plan beyond that. I hadn’t thought past tonight and trying to win you back.”

“You never lost me.” And she never will.

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