Page 21 of The Hot New Single Dad Next Door

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LOTTIE

As soon as I’m able to, I clock off and walk straight home again. The streets of Small Town are dark and empty, but have always been safe. I’ve never had a reason to fear anything here.

Until today.

Mark, you fucking asshole.

I shove that problem onto the back burner for now. But my pulse ticks up as I reach our street, the thought of facing Scott Smolders again suddenly so... scary.

But in a good way?

I step lightly toward his front door. The porch light is on, shining bright and welcoming.

I knock softly.

It opens quickly on Scott’s friendly smile. “Hey,” he whispers.

“Hi,” I say, matching his volume.

He holds the door open. “Come on in.”

I step into the dark entryway. “How did it go today?” I ask.

“Fine,” he answers, leading me forward into the living room. “He’s asleep right now, but...”

I smile at Liam on the couch, all wrapped up in a blanket. Quiet and peaceful.

As I step forward to gather him up, Scott touches my arm and motions for me to follow him into the kitchen instead. While I’d prefer to get my baby home as soon as possible, I follow him with a nod, and we enter the kitchen across the hall.

“He wasn’t much trouble, was he?” I ask him at a timid volume.

“No,” Scott answers as he opens the refrigerator. “Everything went fine. He and Sonya hung out while I finished unpacking the living room. And then we made some spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.”

“He loves spaghetti.”

“I know. He told me. Twelve times.” We chuckle as Scott grabs two beer bottles from the refrigerator door. “You want a drink?” he offers.

“Oh, I shouldn’t,” I say. “But yes.”

He opens them and sets them on the table while I quietly sit down. I instantly take a drink and grimace. I’ve always hated the taste of beer, but tonight I’ll make an exception.

“After dinner, we watched a movie,” Scott says, sitting across from me. “The kids were out halfway through. I put Sonya to bed. Liam’s been on the couch ever since.”

I arch a brow. “What movie?”

“Platoon.”

I inhale sharply to scold him.

“It was one of the Shreks,” he says before I can.

I release the breath with a choked laugh. “That’s fine,” I say, taking another drink.

“You’ve got a really cool kid in there, Lottie,” he says.

“Thanks.”

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