Page 100 of Secret Love

“We’re official.”

I laugh and he does too, pulling me in closer, his head against mine.

Later that night, after we’ve worshipped each other’s bodies and have rummaged through the kitchen, we climb back into his bed. My contacts are out for the night, so I grab my glasses and pick up the romance novel I’m reading, while he writes in The Single Dad Playbook. I glance over, my heart thumping as I take in his profile. He’s so gorgeous and he’s mine.

“Whatcha writing about?” I ask.

“In a way, I’m writing about us and today.”

I’m so curious, but I know it’s something he only shares with the guys, so I’m thrilled when he says, “You want to hear what I wrote?”

“I’m dying to.”

He grins and starts reading.

There are these moments as a parent when you’ll know you’ve taught them well.

When you see them use their manners with strangers.

When they do a chore without being asked.

When they say they’re sorry for something they’ve done wrong.

When you let them know you’re dating someone and they accept it with grace,

despite it being a challenge.

Soak in those moments.

There will be plenty of times you feel like you’re blowing it as a dad,

but kids will surprise you.

They know how to take the high road better than anyone.

They’re resilient and smart and funny.

And when you show them that you respect them,

you’ll see that reflected back when they look at you.

I live for these moments.

~Henley

He’s surprised when he sees me wiping tears from my face.

“I’m so glad I know a man like you, a dad like you,” I tell him. “There are many things I love about you, but the way you love them is right up there at the top.”

He sets the book aside and I do the same with mine, and we collide, our bodies greedy as we consume one another.

The following Monday is gorgeous, as if the sky and weather and all wildlife conspired to get along and be as perfect as possible. We’re out on Henley’s dock. The girls and I are lined up in a row in our swimsuits, toes dipping in the water. Gracie carefully hands out our lures to match our swimsuits—no live bait because it makes her too upset to “murder a cricket” and the colorful lures are entertainment on their own. I’m given a bug-eyed red fish that has orange and red strings trailing after him and I hold it up to my red swimsuit.

I’m not wearing the sexy bikini I’ve worn here when it’s just Henley and me, but my tankini set is cute. Red on top with a black and white polka dot bottom.

“Nice match,” I tell Gracie.

She nods, pleased.

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