Page 14 of Single Dad's Second Chance

“Crap. I forgot.”

She laughed lightly. “Figured. Anyway, she brought Jason to the office, assuming you’d be here like usual. I told her that Jason could hang out with me since I was wrapping up paperwork.”

“Hi, Daddy!” Jason chimed in from the background.

I smiled, feeling the weight melt off me at just the sound of his little voice. Nothing could cheer me up like that boy. He was the light of my life, and I could relax in knowing he was safe with Mia.

“Could you bring Jason to the arcade, then?” I asked.

Fuck this dinner. Or not date. I hadn’t shown Ann around mostly because she wanted to redirect this into a romantic dinner. Ann wasn’t any fun, anyway. However, I immediately perked up at the chance to see Jason and Mia like usual. Like we did every week.

“Arcade?” Ann leaned forward and turned her head to the side, as though she strained to listen. “We’re going to anarcadenow?”

Who said you’re coming?

“Are you sure?” Mia asked. “I can just take him home and watch him until you get there.”

Because she had a key. Because I trusted her. Because I knew she belonged in my life as more than just an employee.

“I’m sure.”

Screw wasting my whole night with Ann. When it came to Mia, I would always be sure about spending as much time with her as possible.

My father didn’t know what the hell he was talking about.

Miawasa partner I’d want to grow old with.

And if that wasn’t an option, I’d sign up for a routine game night with her and my son over a boring dinner date every time.

When it came to Mia, I was addicted to all she’d give me.

6

MIA

“Idon’t know, kiddo.” I winced at the restaurant up ahead. I’d never been here, but I knew what kind of place it was. In short, expensive. It was also a sought-after place for romantic dates.

Henry claimed it wasn’t a date, but I wondered if this Ann woman thought otherwise.

“Come on,” Jason urged, tugging on my hand. He skipped, grinning from ear to ear as I swung him with our joined hands. “Daddy said we should meet him and then go play at the arcade.”

That’s what I get for agreeing to put that call on speakerphone.I regretted letting Jason listen in to my call to his dad. In hindsight, it might have been smarter to have an adult conversation first.

“I know, but…”

But what if he is enjoying his night out? What if Ann is a woman he wants as a partner to grow old with?

All day, I let Eddie’s comment get to me. I knew he hadn’t said it to disparage me. He thought highly of me—as a Dunn secretary. Still, hearing such a cast off like that stung.

“We’re almost there,” Jason said, his voice louder with excitement. “I see him. I see him! Daddy!” He waved his freehand, using his whole body to emphasize his enthusiasm. When he tugged on my hand, I held on tighter, always afraid of him getting this close to the curb. He’d grown up in New York City, unlike me, a transplant from upstate. Jason inherently had more street smarts than I did, in a way, but I couldn’t switch off this maternal-like fear of him darting out or getting hurt.

Henry stood from a seat in the outdoor dining area. Waving back—without putting his whole sexy body into the motion in a childish manner like Jason did—he smiled and watched us come closer.

I’ve got a bad feeling about this.No one came here to eat and not call it a date. I never dated, lacking the time to do so while holding down two jobs. I also never wanted to date, secretly clinging to the fantasy that Henry was the only man I’d ever want. But even I knew this place was simply where couples dined out for a romantic evening.

Sure enough, when we came to their table, I saw evidence in the flesh. Ann had to be the blonde sitting across from Henry. In a chic white summer dress, her hair perfect, makeup on point, she glowered at me like a porcelain doll. An angry one. She flicked her haughty gaze from me, to Jason, then back to me. One look from her clarified that she disapproved. She couldn’t be pleased about us interrupting, but more than that, her scalding sneer made me feel less-than and frumpy. I debated my short khaki skirt and the bright blue and green blouse. The bangles on my wrist seemed cheap now, not fun. And the dangling beads that got snared in my hair probably looked ridiculous among all these fine and elegant diners.

“Excuse me, the hostess stand is?—”

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