Page 68 of The Single Dad

Cole leans over the bed. He kisses me, just once, then gathers up his clothes from the floor and starts to get dressed. Once he’s fully clothed, he leaves without another word.

Something about watching him go makes me feel strange, almost empty. After our clinical handshake and our depersonalized conversation, it was already so clear that this thing starting between us is just about sex—nothing more.

This just drives it home.

Part of me wishes that he would spend the night in my room. That he would fall asleep with his arms around me.

But right now, I’m too sated, too tired, to worry about it. Besides, it’s not what we agreed on. We already failed to follow the “no sex” rule. If we want to keep things professional, we’re going to have to carefully obey our new set of rules.

Things can’t get complicated here. I can’t let myself catch feelings for him. I almost slipped up, almost asked him about his scars during sex—but I caught myself at the last minute. I have to make sure to toe the line. That kind of question is way too personal.

Cole is not the kind of guy I can allow myself to fall for. Especially not while he’s my boss.

I can feel sleep dragging at the corners of my eyes, but my mind is racing. I need to talk to someone else about this. An outside party. Luckily, I know just the girl.

I pull out my phone and open a text to Olivia. It’s late, so she probably won’t actually read it until tomorrow, but I need to start this conversation as soon as possible.

ME: Hey, we need to talk. Give me a call whenever you get this.

ME: It’s not as bad as it sounds!! I swear!

* * *

Cole

On my way back to my room, my mind is clearer than it’s been in weeks. All I can think is, Finally. Fucking finally.

I’ve been waiting for this since the moment I saw her, and it was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be.

I pause by Archie’s door as I walk past. It’s cracked open slightly. Mostly to make sure that he’s still asleep—that he didn’t hear anything—I open it and stick my head in his room to check on him.

The light from the hallway falls over his bed. He’s fast asleep, his stuffed lion cuddled close to his face.

Watching him, I feel a flash of protectiveness. No matter what happens, I need to put Archie above everything else. I vowed to do so when I first took him in, and I remind myself of that vow now, reaffirming it.

I may have let his mother down, but I won’t drop the ball again. I won’t let anything happen to him.

I smile gently, watching the blankets rise and fall as Archie breathes. Then, carefully, I back out of the room and close the door, taking care not to wake him.

On my way back to my room, my thoughts drift back to Riley.

We can do this. It’s possible to have simple, uncomplicated sex; I’d know, of course, since I’ve been doing it for ages. And the fact that Riley is under my roof, in my employ… it’s a little bit different, but still possible.

In fact, this is probably for the best. There was no way I was going to make it much longer trying to keep my distance from her.

We can keep the lines clear. Everything’s going to be fine.

* * *

Riley

The next morning, as I’m getting dressed, my phone buzzes on my dresser. I grab it, glancing at the screen. It’s a phone call—from Olivia. It’s a lot earlier than she’s usually up.

I pull my shirt over my head and answer. “Hey—”

I’m almost immediately interrupted by a shrill squeal. “Riley! Oh my god!”

My first reaction is alarm. “Whoa, what’s going on?”

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