Page 9 of The Hot New Single Dad Next Door

“Sorry, Lottie,” he whispers as I pass.

Pfft. I’m sure you are, Frank.

“Mommy?” Liam says, his little voice full of concern.

”I’m fine, baby,” I say as we reach the sidewalk. I give his hand a squeeze as my heart breaks in my chest. “Everything is going to be fine.”

“Everything is going to be fine,” I repeat as I stare into my oven, watching as the blueberry mini muffins rise in the pan. “Everything is coming up Lottie!”

Liam is currently lounging on the living room couch with the television and a snack while I bake and keep telling myself that everything is going to be fine.

We still have our health. Our house. Our friends. Each other.

Just… not the bakery.

Because Small Town is getting… a barbershop instead.

A fucking barbershop?

I’m not sure what hurts more. That I lost my precious bakery, or that that smoldering douche-nozzle is putting in a barbershop instead.

But I won’t sink into despair!

This day isn’t over yet!

There’s still the potential man of my dreams waiting for me across the street.

Only the movers were there when we arrived home earlier. I was busy doing laundry when the car arrived shortly after four, so I missed the first sighting of him. I’ve been watching the house through the kitchen windows like a hawk ever since, just waiting to see the hot new single dad in the flesh.

But if he’s not coming out… then I’m going in!

The timer goes off on the stove. I yank out the tray of mini muffins and set them on top, taking a moment to breathe in that fresh-baked scent.

While they cool, I check in on Liam and rush into my room to throw on a sundress. My favorite sundress, white with bright yellow daisies, that make my green eyes pop. I fluff up my reddish-brown hair, taking the blow dryer to it to give it a nice windswept look. A little blush and some lipstick and I’m ready to meet my future husband.

“Liam,” I say as I return to the living room. “It’s time.”

I quickly and carefully stack the mini muffins in a basket and away we go.

Close to sunset, the sky above Kiss County is a beautiful shade of violet — a good omen. Not a cloud in the sky. A light spring breeze in the air.

It’s a wonderful night to fall in love.

“Take my hand,” I say, offering it to Liam before we cross the street together.

As we reach the sidewalk and travel up the driveway toward the house, I catch the curtains of Pam Palmdale’s kitchen windows next door shift slightly.

Yeah!

That’s right, Pam!

I’m bringing the muffins!

We step up onto the porch. I stop, adjusting the sleeve on Liam’s shirt and giving myself another once over before ringing the doorbell.

I stand up tall. I wet my lips and smile.

Everything’s coming up?—

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