Page 15 of Faking It With the Grumpy Single Dad

“Gerry?”

“My plumber.”

“Right.”

“Anyway, so he talked me through how to shut off the water down here in the kitchen, and I really hope I’ve done it right. I guess we’ll find out.”

I can’t help laughing. This man has no idea how funny he is. The way he talks is just so blunt and nonchalant, and yet his handsome face and warm brown eyes make him look as sweet as an angel. He’s like a grumpy teddy bear.

After that weird moment Monday morning, I thought he might have written me off once and for all as a snobby brat. Especially since he now knows who my father was.

Thankfully, he seems just as eager as I am to move past it and pretend it never happened.

“Can I help?” I ask him.

He rises to his feet. His work boots are scuffed and dirty in the cool and rugged sort of way that so many indie wannabes in LA tried to emulate.

“Pardon?”

“I want to help,” I clarify. “I’d really like to contribute, I mean.”

Joe raises his eyebrows, then glances down at the wrench in his hand. “I really think it’d be best to leave this to the professionals, ma’am. For liability reasons.”

“You keep calling me that.”

“Sorry?”

“You keep calling me ‘ma’am.’ It makes me feel like I’m twice my actual age. You should call me Poppy.”

“Apologies… Poppy.”

“And as far as liability issues go, am I not the one currently paying home insurance on this property?”

“Um…”

“So, if I get hurt, it’s entirely my fault and I only have myself to blame. Right?”

“Well…”

“It’s not like I’m your employee. I’m just a volunteer who really wants to smash something with a sledge hammer.”

At that, Joe’s lips twitch. I’ve almost made him smile.

“Alright. Give me a minute to grab some supplies.”

I nod, watching him leave. His tool belt clinksand clankson his way out.

In his absence, I get a little too curious. He’s got a travel mug sitting on the countertop nearby. I sneak over and pull the lid off, but there’s nothing interesting inside. Just black coffee. Boring.

Why do men always drink their coffee black? Don’t they want a little bit of joy in their lives? A little bit of sugar and cream? Something sweet to take the edge off?

Has Joe ever tried a blueberry latte before?

Would it be weird if I brought him one tomorrow morning? Maybe not, if I brought plenty for the whole crew. Croissants, too. And donuts and Danishes.

I smile to myself, making a mental note to get up extra early tomorrow morning so I can run to Lazy Joe’s and get first dibs on fresh pastries.

Joe returns a moment later, a sledge hammer in each hand. He also hands me a pair of protective eyeglasses and some gloves. I slip my hands into the gloves, which are way too big for me, but I’m not about to complain.

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