Page 103 of The Single Dad

“Why not?”

He shrugs, his lips pursed. I can tell that he wants to change the subject, but can’t find an artful way to do it. “I don’t know, okay? Things just haven’t ever clicked.”

I could keep pressing the topic, but I can tell he doesn’t want me to. He was willing to drop the subject of Cole, so I decide to return the favor.

“How much longer do you think those omelets are gonna take?” I ask, leaning over the counter to get a look at the skillet. “I have to volunteer at one o’clock, so I don’t want to leave too late.”

“Oh, they’re pretty much done,” Noah says, visibly relieved. He gestures with his spatula at the table. “Meet me over there, I’ll bring you one.”

I move over to the table with my glass of wine. Noah chats about my volunteering, asking me various questions; I talk to him about his work as we dig into the omelets. Neither of us brings up dating again.

Nonetheless, the entire time, I can’t help thinking about Cole.

I told Noah that everything was okay, and that it wasn’t a big deal, but… I have to be honest with myself.

The only things that have been on my mind all week were the feeling of his hands in my hair, his body pressed against mine, the gentle look in his eyes.

Deep down, I worry that this isn’t nearly as simple as I made it seem.

I think I might be falling for him.

Chapter 31

Riley

Cole takes me and Archie to the movies on Sunday, which is a welcome treat. Technically, I’m off the clock, but Archie begged me to come with them to the theater—and Cole seemed eager to bring me.

Archie sits between us in the theater, eyes wide as he takes in the brightly-colored, animated spectacle. Despite the distance between us, Cole keeps stealing glances over at me; we make eye contact every few minutes.

I can’t help but wonder where his hands might wander if we were sitting next to each other. It’s probably for the best that we aren’t. I don’t know if I could trust myself to be good.

This man is pure sex, unadulterated and addictive.

After the movie ends, Archie sits in his seat with his mouth open slightly, dazed. I remember that feeling—being a little kid and seeing a movie up on a huge screen, surrounded by the music. I help him up, and he blinks, getting his bearings.

Cole leads us out of the theater, and as we troop out into the hallway, I lean forward to tease him. “You know, I’m surprised people as rich as you go to the movies with us regular folks. Don’t you have a home theater, or a private cinema, or something?”

Cole glances back at me with an arch look. “Of course,” he says. “But unfortunately, they weren’t playing Shelby the Tortoise at the arthouse.”

I giggle, and Archie pipes up indignantly, “It’s Sheldon the Tortoise!”

“Gosh, Cole,” I say, shaking my head with a melodramatic sigh. “It’s like you didn’t even watch the—”

Before I can finish my sentence, a voice cuts me off. A familiar voice. Calling my name across the lobby.

“Riley!”

My blood runs cold. I know that voice better than almost any voice in the world.

It’s my mother.

I turn, and there she is, standing on the other side of the lobby. Since I last saw her, few things have changed about her appearance. Her hair is bleached, a little longer than it was in our last encounter, but that’s about it.

My mother has reached out periodically through the years, but I always rebuff her attempts. It’s not because I’m not interested in reconciliation, or because I’m simply holding a grudge. It’s just that, at this point, I know better.

Every time my mom comes calling, trouble is sure to follow. She’s always looking for something, trying to demand something of me. It’s never about mending our relationship. It’s almost always about money.

Maybe she’ll leave me alone. Maybe this is a coincidence, and she’ll just wave, and—

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