Page 66 of Single All the Way

“For booty calls?” Maeve added.

I laughed. “It’s hard enough to rendezvous in the same house with four kids involved. Two separate addresses?” I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s what either of us has in mind.”

“I guess you better get it all out of your system now then,” Maeve said. “How much sex can you have in, what, a month?”

“Any luck on houses?” Chloe asked as she refilled her glass with white.

“Zero luck.” I told them about the one place Darius had taken me to. “That’s exactly the full list right there. It’s depressing.”

“Well…” Chloe, who was starting to show signs of tipsiness, put her arm around my neck and leaned in. “I’m sorry to hear that. Something will eventually turn up and be perfect. In the meantime, here’s to riding bikes!”

We laughed and toasted yet again and drank.

“I need a trip to the dessert table,” I said. “And I should probably say hi to more than just you three. I’ll be back in a few.”

I walked off, registering a kernel of unease blossoming in my gut. Then the reason for it hit me. It was the thought of moving away from Ben. I would miss him way more than I’d ever imagined. I’d miss the naked gymnastics, of course, but even more, I’d miss his company. Not because of feelings that had gotten too deep. Just because he was a good friend and a partner with the kids.

That was all I could let it be.

Ben

Emerson proved to be fucking impossible to keep my eyes off at Max and Harper’s party.

No matter who I was talking to, my Emerson radar was tuned in to her, knew where she was at all times. At first I didn’t even realize I was keeping an eye on her, but then Max came up to me, handed me a Rusty Anchor IPA, and said, “If you don’t want people to know your secret, you might want to stop staring at her.”

I snapped my gaze to his amused one as his meaning sank in. I hadn’t told him how things with Emerson had evolved, hadn’t talked to him since the single dads’ party nearly a week ago. I realized I’d just given up my secret to him without saying a word.

“Fuck.” I made a point of looking at everyonebuther.

He chuckled. “I don’t think anyone else noticed. Yet.”

“Yeah. Thanks, I think.”

There was a part of me that wanted the world to know I was with Emerson. She’d picked me to play naked games with. I suspected that was the seventeen-year-old boy inside me though and not the responsible father or town veterinarian.

Ty Bishop, the high-school basketball coach, joined us, as did Finn and Cade McNamara. I forced myself to get lost in the conversation about last night’s college basketball game, the Anchor’s holiday beer flavors, and Max’s kittens, who were closed in a room for the duration of the party.

I fought hard to stop scanning for Emerson. There were solid reasons we were keeping our new closeness private. Reasons number one through four were our kids.

I filled up on finger foods and bite-sized desserts as I mingled with the half of the town that was here tonight. Many of them were clients, so I spent a chunk of time catching up on my furry patients. Cash Henry cornered me to get my input on surprising his pregnant wife, Ava, with a puppy for Christmas.

“Are you sure she’s up for caring for one more being?” I asked him.

“I’ll take care of the pup,” Cash assured me. “I just want someone to keep her company when I’m working late. Need a dog that’ll be good with a baby.”

“Goldens or Labs are great with kids,” I told him.

“Kemp’s are Labs, right?”

“That’s right. Talk to him. He doesn’t have babies around, but he can give you an idea of how much work they are.”

“You trying to talk me out of it?”

“Never,” I said, laughing. “I fully support informed pet adoptions. It’s just a lot to take on a few months before a first child.”

He nodded. “I hear you. It’s terrifying, but I can’t wait for this baby. Ava and I’ll make it work. You know of anyone with puppies available?”

“I’ve got a couple of reputable people I can check in with. I’ll call you this week after I’ve asked around.”

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