Page 5 of The Hot New Single Dad Next Door

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Through the glass, I spot Frank exiting the back room, his face showing a satisfied smile.

I walk up to the door and knock.

Frank sees me through the windows and his cashmere sweater-clad shoulders sink.

“Frank!” I bang again on the glass. “I know you see me, Frank!”

He walks over and unlocks the door. “Hi, Lottie,” he greets, then bows his head at Liam beside me. “Hey, kiddo.”

“Hi,” Liam says, most of his focus on his ice cream cone.

“Hi,” I say. “Sold?”

He raises his hand cautiously. “Now, Lottie?—”

“Sold?!”

“I realize you might be a little upset right now.”

“Might be upset? Frank, you promised me this space!”

“Hold on a sec,” he says. “I didn’t promise you anything. I said I’d hold off as long as I could — and I did.”

“No. No, you didn’t. Because if you had, I’d be holding the keys to my new bakery right now.”

“Well, do you have the money now?” he asks.

I hesitate. “No. But I’m so close, Frank. So close. Just another week. Two weeks. That’s all!”

“I’m sorry, Lottie,” he says, gently. “But summer’s coming.”

“I know that.”

“I’ve got bills to pay, same as you.”

“I know that, too. But?—”

“And this guy came in with cash,” Frank says. “What was I supposed to do?”

“What guy?” I ask.

He leans back. “I’m not telling.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’ve got that look in your eye.”

“What look?”

“Like you’re gonna cast a spell on him or something.”

“Frank.” I tilt my head. I smile. “Frankie. Buddy.”

“Yeah, that’s not helping you,” he says.

“How long have we been friends?” I ask.

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