Page 9 of Cinnamon Roll Set Up

“Did Daddy watch movies with you when you were little?”

I look into her eager brown eyes and can’t possibly tell her the truth. That our father didn’t have quite as much time for Sam and me when we were growing up. That even when he did, he was more likely to use that time lecturing us than bonding over something as simple as a movie or a game. That I barely recognize the doting father he’s become for Finn and Willa.

That I don’t understand why he couldn’t have been that kind of father for me.

“Sometimes,” I tell her. She just beams.

Soon enough, the man himself arrives to pick up the littles. He’s clearly come from work, dressed in a neat suit, his salt-and-pepper hair still perfectly combed away from his face. Willa darts straight into his arms, and he lifts her up into a huge hug.

“How’s my baby girl?” he croons. “Ready for movies?”

“Ready for movies!”

He kisses her cheek with a big smack. “That’s good. I’d hate to have to watch Jumanji all alone.”

“Not Jumanji. Jungle Cruise.”

Dad makes a silly face. “I knew it was something like that. With that guy with the little muscles?”

“He has big muscles, Daddy!”

He slides her back down to her feet. Then, his adoring expression shifts into something distinctly cooler. He surveys the store in the same detached way he does every time he comes in, like he’s inspecting a sterile room instead of seeing a warm and cozy place where people love to shop and hang out.

Before he can pass judgment on Dogeared yet again, Finn joins him.

“I almost beat Miles at backgammon. He’s good, but he’s not as good as Grandpa Glen.”

Grandpa ropes anybody he can into playing backgammon with him over at his retirement village. He’s been delighted to find a real challenger in Miles, since Sam and I don’t stand a chance against him.

“Nobody is, kiddo.” Dad looks over at me. “If you ever change your mind and decide you want a real job, there’s always room for you at Donnelly and Burke.”

I urge my face not to do anything sarcastic. “I’m good.”

He takes Willa’s hand. “We’ve got movies to watch. Thanks for looking out for them.”

Finn and Willa call out their goodbyes, and in a blink, they’ve disappeared down the sidewalk.

After a minute, Miles joins me behind the counter. He can probably hear me grinding my teeth down to dust.

“You could see it as your dad saying he’ll always be there for you.”

I can’t help the bitter laugh that exhales out of me. Mileslikes to see the best in people, but when it comes to my dad, I just don’t feel it. “Redirect your altruism elsewhere, please.”

“In other news, Finn will be able to beat me at backgammon soon. I should probably retire from the game now to avoid the humiliation.”

“You would sacrifice a young boy’s triumph for the sake of your tattered pride?”

“In a heartbeat.”

He wouldn’t, though. I’ve seen him play enough board games with Willa to know he’s not above throwing games to make a little kid happy.

“Where were we? Oh yeah, you were about to tell me what you’re looking for in a woman.”

He sighs. “Speaking of my tattered pride…”

I keep my voice low so people in the store don’t overhear. “Maybe we should focus on physical preferences to narrow it down. Brunette? Short hair? Are you an elbow man?”

His bold eyebrows slash down, his concern morphing into confusion. “Elbows?”

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