Page 4 of The Hot New Single Dad Next Door

I take a breath, shaking off the encounter before throwing on a smile and returning to my son. “Hey, baby,” I say, taking the stool next to him. “You hungry?”

He nods.

I sigh. “Yeah, I figured.”

I look at Bruno down the counter and he gives me an approving thumbs up that says: of course, Liam can hang out for the rest of my shift. I mouth a thank you.

Then, I smile. I give my son a kiss on the top of his head.

Today is a good day.

Today is the day that sets me on the path to having the family I’ve always wanted.

I can feel it.

2

LOTTIE

With Liam’s hand safely in mine, we walk across the town square. Even though my day hasn’t gone entirely according to plan, I’m determined to make the rest go as well as possible.

Starting with a little boost.

Rather than head straight for our home on Third Street, I angle us west toward Busy Street for a little detour past the bakery.

My bakery.

Well, right now, it’s an empty space with a FOR SALE sign on it, but soon, it’ll be mine.

Just a little longer. Just a little bit more money and I’ll finally afford it. I can quit the diner. No more long hours waitressing, serving food for tips. I’ll be my own boss, sell my own creations.

My dream come true.

We round the corner onto Busy Street and I stop at the ice cream shop on the corner to get Liam a vanilla cone, his smile nearly enough to make me forget all about his worthless father.

Almost.

Still, I shake it off, and we continue on our way. We pass the bookstore and the coffee shop. All this block needs now is a bakery.

I breathe in that dream again.

Everything is coming up Lot…

I slow our steps as we reach the empty storefront.

Except, it’s not empty anymore.

It’s... SOLD.

“No,” I say.

“Mommy?” Liam asks, looking up curiously.

“It’s, uh... it’s okay, Liam. It’s fine. It must be some kind of mistake,” I say, mostly to myself.

It’s sold?

Frank sold it?

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