Page 170 of The Single Dad

There are tears gathering in my eyes, and I blink rapidly, trying to stop myself from crying. The emotions tie my tongue, such that even in these pauses, I’m not sure what to say. I’m not sure if there’s anything I could say, anything that would really express how I feel.

Cole reaches out to take my hand in his, and I don’t resist. “I love you, Riley.”

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. I can see the swirl of emotion in his own eyes, and I wonder how on Earth he’s still so eloquent in this moment.

“I want you to move back in,” he says. “Not as the nanny, but as my girlfriend.” He pauses, then shakes his head slightly and amends, “As my partner. As the love of my life.”

He finally stops speaking, and I stare at him, trying to find the words to respond.

Chapter 55

Cole

After I finish, Riley is silent for so long that it terrifies me.

I just unloaded my entire heart to her, but for the first time in my life, I’m not sure if I said the right thing. I’m not sure if there’s anything else I should say, or if another word might only make things worse.

I’ve always known how to handle myself in any situation, always prided myself on being able to manage whatever came my way. But as I gaze at Riley, desperately wanting her to believe me, all of that confidence slips away.

There are tears in the corners of her eyes. Did I just make her cry? Is she upset? Did I just fuck up again?

I open my mouth, not sure what else is going to come out—probably a babbling mess of nonsense, to be honest—but before I can stammer a single word, Riley leans up to kiss me.

We stay there for a few moments, locked in a deep kiss. All I can think about is how soft her lips are against mine, the scent of her floral shampoo that I sought in the sheets of my empty bed for weeks until it faded, the way the breeze stirs her hair against my neck.

Then she withdraws. I brush the loose locks behind her ear, almost dazed.

“I thought you always knew what to say,” she says, a gentle, teasing note in her voice. Her eyes are still watery, like she might cry despite her smile, but I’m starting to think that’s a good sign. “I thought you were always in control.”

My shoulders drop in relief. “Well, things change. And I’m willing to give up a little bit of that control if it means I can have you in my life.”

She lets out a shaky breath that might be a laugh.

“I can’t control everything,” I admit. “I finally understand that. I was… I was wrong.” I pause, letting my fingers fall from her hair to her jawline, my thumb brushing along her chin. “Life is unpredictable. Over the past few weeks, I’ve realized that there are only a few constants.”

“Oh? And what are those?”

“I love Archie,” I say simply. “And I love you. Those truths will never change, even if everything else does. You once said you felt sorry for me because I only had room in my heart to love one person, but that’s not true. I love you so damn much, Riley. I started falling for you the first day I met you.”

She beams, pressing the palm of her hand over the back of mine. “I love you, too.”

I bend down to kiss her again, a deeper, hungrier kiss, and she reciprocates eagerly. She lets out a squeal of surprise as I scoop her up into my arms, carrying her back toward the service road and the waiting car.

“What are you doing?” she yelps, laughing.

“I need to be inside you,” I growl. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. Every single thing about you.”

“We just had sex,” she jokes, clinging to my shoulders like she’s afraid I’m going to drop her.

But I won’t. I’ll never let go of her. Not in a million years.

“Yeah, well…” I chuckle. “That was before you were mine.”

She sighs softly, melting a little in my arms. “Yours, huh?”

“Yup. All fucking mine.” I set her down gently in the passenger seat, planting a light kiss on her forehead. “And I plan to keep you in bed all day.”

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