Page 108 of Driven Daddy

"Both can be true at the same time."

"I haven't written a word until I got to Crescent Cove."

"Then maybe you just needed a change of season and scenery. Nothing like Crescent Cove in autumn." The idea that I could have missed this—missed her—was something I didn't want to contemplate. "And maybe I helped a little."

"Helped me by making me crazy?" She grinned up at me.

"My mother has said similar things."

"Your mother is pretty great." She slid away. "You don't know how lucky you are." She pulled out her phone from her pocket and got in on the passenger side.

There was always a landmine or two waiting for me when it came to certain topics. I just hoped eventually she'd see just how many people were coming to care for her.

The drive to the cottage was quiet, but I caught flashes of her smile as she was texting who I figured was Colette. When we pulled into the drive, Larsen's car was waiting for us. He'd rented a house somewhere on the lake, but I hadn't been out to it as of yet. Now that I knew what it was like to have Rita asleep beside me, it seemed way more preferable to a lonely bed at my parents' house or a guest bedroom at Larsen's.

"Is Colette going to stop by?"

"She's getting one of the part-timers to come in. Said she'd bring sandwiches from someplace called Jersey Angel's?"

"Oh, man. I haven't had a meatball sub from there in an age. That's my vote. Larsen likes the chicken parm."

"Guess I didn't have to ask for a menu."

I laughed. "Nope, Jersey Angel's has been around since I was a teen. I even worked there for half a second before I discovered I was not made for working the ovens."

She pushed open her door. "And yet said you could cook for me."

I got out and hustled to the trunk before she could carry our stuff again. I stacked her box on my case of bottles. "I can cook. Angelo taught me how to cook, I just wasn't good at the fast and furious part." I shut the trunk. "I like to take my time." And leaned down to give her a slow, thorough kiss.

Her eyes were a little hazy as I pulled away. She sighed. "Okay, there is that."

Larsen got out of his car, dressed inhis version of athleisure wear—what I suspected was cashmere over a worn pair of jeans. “You two done?”

I laughed. “Grab my bag out of the car.”

“Since you have both wine and hard cider in hand, I suppose I shall abide.”

I rolled my eyes. “Rita’s friend from the bookstore is coming with subs.”

“The ever-beautiful Colette?”

“That’s the one.”

Larsen grinned. “Excellent.” He found my duffel in the backseat and followed us inside. “Where’s the horse?”

“Give him time.” Rita cleared the kitchen island for the drinks and we both filled the fridge and the small wine fridge tucked into one of the cabinets.

The conversation was easy and fun as Larsen and Rita worked together to make a small plate of snacks from Rita’s ever-magical fridge.

I ran upstairs with my bag to get out of my suit, leaving the two of them to tease each other about their foodie sides.

By the time I got back downstairs, Colette had been added to the party.

She raised her glass of wine to me as I entered the kitchen. “This is much more fun than doing inventory. Thanks for the invite.”

“You win for the sandwiches.”

“Angelo could easily put an extra twenty pounds on my ass because of his artistry.” She pointed to the tinfoil wrapped packages.

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