Page 21 of Perfect Imperfections

At the last part, her mouth turned up in a wide smile. He shook his head, unable to contain his smile too. Tearing the plastic covering off the chicken and setting it in the glass dish, he drizzled olive oil and lemon pepper over the skinless breasts.

“I’d love to—”

“But Uncle Gavin can’t stay.”

His brother raised one eyebrow but didn’t contradict him. Gavin knew better than to question his parenting decisions in front of Charlotte.

“He’s right. I have some work to do tonight. Big order to work on.”

Gavin made custom furniture. Amazingly beautiful pieces designed specifically to the client’s request. Over the years, he’d built up a reputation and made quite a name for himself.

“Can we go to the park on Saturday? You promised to take me on the carousal.”

Gavin bent down to get eye level with Charlotte. “I did?”

“Uh huh.” She gave him a toothy grin. Everyone in the room knew he’d promised no such thing, but Sullivan’s daughter was a charmer like her uncle. Hard to say no to. The reason she had three ridiculously expensive collector dolls in her room. “You did.”

“Then I guess I better take you to the park for a carousel ride on Saturday.”

“Yay!”

She threw her arms around Gavin’s neck. The big man rose to his feet, taking the small girl with him. His gaze met Sullivan’s, arms tightening around the tiny child they both loved so much. He knew his brother was thinking about what happened at the zoo. How close they’d come to losing another family member. But they didn’t. He didn’t. Thanks to Ellie.

The oven beeped, letting him know it had reached the temperature for cooking. He slid the baking dish with the seasoned chicken into the hot range, setting a timer after he closed the door.

“I’ll see you Saturday.”

Charlotte nodded as Gavin set her down. “Bye, Uncle Gavin.”

“Bye, Cheeky Monkey.” His brother headed toward the front door. “I’ll be by around ten?”

“Works for me.”

“You be sure to give Ellie my thanks, too.” A mischievous gleam entered his brother’s eye. “Have fun tonight, brother.”

“We’ll have a nice dinner together. All of us.” He nodded his head to Charlotte, but his annoying brother just laughed, waving his hand as he left.

“Can I help with dinner, Daddy?”

“Sure, angel. Want to help me butter the garlic bread?”

“Let me get my stool!”

He chuckled as Charlotte ran to the pantry to grab the three-foot step stool she used to help him in the kitchen. As he set her up at the counter with slices of bread, a plastic kiddie knife, and the soft butter. While she buttered, he set about getting a salad prepped. He was no Bobby Flay, but he could cook a decent dinner.

“I can’t wait for Ellie to get here. Do you think she’ll like the cupcakes?”

Last night, he and Charlotte had made cupcakes after dinner. They’d both sampled a few to make sure they were good enough to serve their hero.

“I’m sure she’ll love them, angel.”

Even if she didn’t, he suspected Ellie wasn’t the kind of person to disappoint a child who’d worked hard on a gift. He didn’t know her well, but from the brief interactions they’d shared, he knew she had a kind heart. The night she’d been speed-dating, it had been clear she was suffering through the event for the sake of her friend.

He noticed something else that night, too. Something he’d observed the first time he met her. Ellie had compulsions. Nervous habits exhibited in times of stress like the TV interview and the speed dating event. He noticed her pull her ear and tap her straw. Another person might think nothing of it, but Sullivan was a doctor. Trained to observe. He suspected Ellie struggled with some type of anxiety disorder. Since he wasn’t her doctor, he wouldn’t bring it up unless she did. People kept matters like that private from random acquaintances in their life. Maybe if they grew closer, she’d share with him—

Whoa, hold on! What the hell was he thinking? Grow close to Ellie? That wasn’t what this night was about. He was simply thanking her for saving his daughter’s life. Contrary to what his brother thought, this wasn’t about starting a relationship or getting in Ellie’s pants. He didn’t have time or desire for any of that. And he was certain she was too young for him, anyway. She had to be in her twenties and although he was only thirty-five, sometimes, he felt much older. It was a symptom of single parenthood. Not that he would give up Charlotte for anything in the world, but raising a kid on your own could wear on a person.

“I’m done!”

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