Page 17 of Single Dad's Second Chance

7

HENRY

My father would always have a special place in my heart. I loved my old man, but if he showed up at the office, again, for the third day in a row, I wouldn’t be able to hide my frustration.

I rode up the elevator the night after that date that I never wanted to have in the first place. Showing a family friend of my father’s around wasn’t a “date” or a romantic evening. I agreed on the principle of it, that I would be polite and appease my father in his desire to welcome Ann to New York. Winding up at that restaurant and her sneaking a date on me wasn’t what I’d been counting on.

It was one thing to miss my arcade night with Mia and Jason—and they had fun, which I envied. But it was a whole other grievance to be foisted into a situation I didn’t want.

My phone pinged as soon as I reached my floor, and with a sigh, I glanced at it.

“Gee, how could I have guessed?” I mused wryly as Ann’s number scrolled over the screen. I wouldn’t be forgiving my father for giving her my number anytime soon.

Ann Vance:Are you sure you don’t want to come back and have a nightcap?

She’d texted that after I dropped her off at her hotel and I declined coming inside. What, did she think I was stupid, oblivious to what she wanted from me?

Ann Vance:Since you have a babysitter at home, why not enjoy the night?

I rolled my eyes again at that one. Mia wasn’t a babysitter. She simply enjoyed being with Jason and was always eager to help out. One day, she’d make a great mother.

Ann Vance:Good night, handsome.

She just had to go over the top and add that unnecessary endearment.

And this just now.

Ann Vance:Good morning!!A couple of smiling emojis followed.

As I walked to my office, I put her on mute. The next step was blocking her damn number, but it was early days yet. I didn’t need my father to get it in his head that I blew her off completely. He’d meddled enough for the week. For the month. The year! If he suspected that I was ignoring Ann, he’d only find another woman to parade in front of me next time. He wouldn’t give up until I had someone.

But I already do.I had him, Jason, and Laura, who was more like a family member than a sitter or a nanny.

And Mia. I knew I could always count on having her in my life, even if we had to stand on opposite sides of the line that marked us as boss and employee.

Knowing Mia wouldn’t be in until later, I headed to my desk and slumped into my chair. Annoyance swept over me all over again, muddying my concentration. I was irritated, and it was far too early to be this peeved.

I wasted the entire night with Ann, resisting her not-so-subtle advances. I told her I’d show her around, and that wasall she’d get from me. Instead of putting up with her, I could’ve been with my son and my…

My…

I groaned, irked as I glanced at the photo of Mia and me at the previous company picnic. Someone had snapped the picture just before she smashed the first cream pie in my face. I was smiling at Jason, unaware of the fate waiting for me as Mia snuck up behind me to cover my face. A moment after this photo was taken, she hung around my back and laughed and laughed, pleased that she’d gotten me with that cream pie. I paid her back, and that was one of the first times that I worried Owen was catching on to my feelings for her. He’d never asked, but my best friend knew me that well. He was at least suspicious, but so far, he hadn’t mentioned his hunch. That picnic was the first time I’d noticed him watching me with a bemused expression, perhaps wondering how much Mia mattered in my life.

Diving into my tasks, I unlocked my computer and rolled my chair closer. On the strip of an agenda that I had pinned to my desktop as a widget, I spotted the first thing I could smile about. Lunch with Mia. I bet she put in on my shared calendar last week. That was how often we grabbed lunches together. The prospect of seeing her one-on-one would almost make up for the loss of the arcade night.

Before I got too far, though, a notification popped up of an incoming email.

“Ann Vance?” I read aloud, groaning. Texting wasn’t enough? She had to email me too?

I opened it and deadpanned at her blatant approach.

I know you said you’re not available to date right now, but when you are, I’ll be here, ready for you.

“Who says I’d wantyou, though?” I clicked on the delete button, satisfied to wash my hands of her for now. “No one. That’s who. No one is saying I’d want you.”

I told her as honestly, politely, yet firmly as I could that I wasn’t available. Not when I was expanding the business and opening a new night club. I wouldn’t be available for Ann. Ever.

With the opening of Fifty on my mind, I wanted to double down and try to find that dancer. “Let’s see about that woman,” I muttered to myself, going to a browser and focusing on that. It served as a productive use of my time as a work task, and it also kept me mostly preoccupied until the lunch hour neared.

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