Page 92 of The Single Dad

By the time the car arrives, my thoughts are nothing but doubts.

What if I’m getting too attached?

Several times throughout the car ride, I pull out my phone and consider texting Riley. Maybe the two of us ought to talk about this, to make sure that our arrangement is still stable.

Each time, I think better of it. I don’t want to alarm her.

But I also don’t want to let myself slip further.

When I finally arrive home, it’s a little past one in the morning. I’m half-expecting—maybe hoping—that Riley will be asleep, but the lights are still on in the living room.

Either she forgot to turn them off, or she’s still up.

The second I step through the front door, Riley appears at the other end of the hallway. She smiles when she sees me, a huge, genuine smile, and my heart sinks all over again.

Shit. Declan was right.

She comes up to me and stands on her toes for a kiss, and I bend down to kiss her back. When we break apart, she asks, “How was the rest of the auction?”

“It was nice,” I say. I hesitate for a moment, then add, “I should’ve told you not to wait up. I don’t think anything will happen tonight. Sorry. I’m too tired.”

Her face falls; she looks a little bit crushed, which I absolutely hate. It makes me feel like a fucking asshole. But I know that this is for the best.

“Okay,” she says, her tone just missing casual. She slips past me, heading upstairs. “Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight,” I reply heavily.

I linger downstairs until I hear the sound of her door closing, then go up to my own room. I shuck off each part of the tuxedo with unnecessary force, every muscle tensed in frustration.

Sexual frustration, of course, but also frustration at myself because I couldn’t think of a better way to handle that. I still can’t think of a good way to handle this situation going forward.

I step into the shower, and as the water pours over my shoulders, I take my hard cock in my hand. Thoughts of Riley spring into my head, unbidden; I’m too addicted to avoid them.

Fuck. I’m starting to wonder if I’m beyond help.

Chapter 28

Riley

Cole comes downstairs later than I do the next morning, which is a little unusual. Typically, he’s the first one up, making breakfast in the kitchen. Archie follows closely behind him, and all of us sit down to breakfast at the counter together.

As we eat, Cole says nothing about last night, but I can’t help noticing the awkwardness between us. Archie chats happily about his favorite paintings from the auction, blissfully unaware of the tension.

Cole gives one-word responses, and spends most of the time sitting in silence. I want to ask him what’s going on, and the reason for this strange distance, but I don’t want to seem clingy.

Instead, I pretend that I haven’t noticed the awkwardness, either. I talk to Archie, trying to keep my voice easy-breezy. It’s harder to put on the casual tone than usual.

After breakfast, Cole picks up to head to the office. Archie runs off to play with his toys in the living room as Cole pours himself a thermos of coffee. I sit at the counter, confused by his demeanor, watching him for any clues. As always, Cole is unreadable.

“I’ve got a big deal coming up,” he says into the silence, not looking up at me.

“Okay,” I say, unsure why he’s telling me this.

“I’m going to be staying late at work. I just wanted you to know.”

I bite my lip. “Sounds good. Should I wait up?”

“No,” he says flatly, capping the thermos.

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