Page 98 of Make It Without You

“Don’t be a goof. Dylan has requested pancakes and I’m extending the invite to you. If you haven’t eaten yet.”

“Does iced coffee count as a meal?” Emily deadpans.

“Absolutely not. Emily Marie, drive your cute butt over here and I will feed you.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Jesus Christ woman,” I blow out a breath as I hear laughter on the other end of the phone. “I’m gonna hang up. Bring a change of clothes and I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you.” She sings songs into the phone.

“I love you, too.”

With a laugh, I hang up and finish up the pancakes. On the other eye, I start up the bacon and eggs. Dylan might not eat all of it but I’m sure Emily and I can polish off the rest. The TV turning on signals that Dylan has emerged from his bedroom. Still dressed in his Iron Man pajamas, he sits and watches an episode of Transformers.

“Did you brush your teeth?”

A murmured ‘yeah’ comes from the living room. I have to accept that I didn’t raise an early morning kid, even though it’s almost nine in the morning. With the bacon sizzling and the eggs cooking I make work on my first cup of coffee of the day.

Emily: Do I need to grab anything for the birthday boy and his daddy?

Me: No and if you keep calling me that I’m withholding an orgasm for making me sprout a boner near my son.

Emily: Promises, promises.

Emily: Be there soon.

Ten minutes later my phone pings with a notification from the camera in the driveway. Knowing it’s Emily, I make sure the eye on the stove is set to low and head to the door to meet her.

Her steps up the front stoop are timid. I try to see where she’s coming from.

“Come here,” I open my arms to her.

She walks into them easily. Her arms find their way around my waist and we just be. As a couple that’s still finding solid ground. As a single dad who’s dating his son’s former teacher. But through the mud that’s our new reality, we’re just us.

“It’s weird that I can spend so much time with you and still miss you when we’re not together. That has to be a sign. Good orbad, I have no clue.” Emily says while still wrapped around me like ivy.

I kiss the top of her head. “Well I know I’ve never felt like this. Don’t laugh, okay?” I wait for her to nod before telling her, “You give me butterflies. Every time we’re around one another. I sometimes have to pinch myself that you gave us a chance.”

“I’m glad I did,” she tells me.

“Daddy? Did you forget about the food?” Dylan yells from inside.

“Shit!” I start and rush back into the house with Emily’s laughter following me.

“He doesn’t always do this,” I hear Dylan say as I quickly pull the half-burnt food off the stove.

I can still salvage the rest of the food. So I finish up breakfast while I feel the peanut gallery watching me.

“How old are you today?” Emily asks Dylan.

“I’m seven.”

“No way. I loved being seven.”

I turn and see them both sitting at the island and my heart warms.

“What did you do for your birthday?”

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