Page 94 of Challenged by the Single Dad

“What was that look for?” Jolene said.

“Never you mind. Hand me my knitting needles.”

Shaking his head and fighting back a smile, Dom picked up the chalk pen again and finished writing the specials.

“Not bad printing there, boss,” Penny said, coming up to the POS machine closest to him. “It’s actually legible today.”

Growling, he regarded her through narrowed eyes. “Just for that,youcan go put the board back outside. Smart-ass.”

She snickered, but accepted the board and scurried out the front door, returning a moment later.

The rest of Saturday went by with zero hiccups.

Dom’s mood got better by maybe half of a percent, but that was something.

All he could think about was the fact that Chloe was at Hawke’s.

What was she doing over there right now?

Was Hawke there too? Were they together? Acting all chummy and joking around?

She said he wasn’t her type. But maybe over the last month that changed?

Dom certainly didn’t think she’d be there a month. This was supposed to be temporary, until Hawke found a new front desk person. Was he even looking? Or was he satisfied with Chloe because she was nice to look at and he secretly hoped they could become more?

The whole reason she offered to help him was so he wasn’t working there twenty-four seven. Not so he could … what were Hawke’s hobbies besides being a firefighter and obviously working out?

Either way, Dom didn’t like that she was over there all the time. And often, all alone. What if Joey or that Orrin prick came back looking for revenge because she got them fired and kicked off the island?

So when she came through the door at three forty-five, he had to spontaneously grab two beer bottles to keep himself from taking her and hugging her.

Of course, he wanted to do a hell of a lot more than that.

In the month since they’d been together in the biblical sense, his desire for her hadn’t dwindled in the least. If anything, it’d only grown hotter. More intense. Practically unbearable.

“How was the day?” she asked, her smile friendly, but close-mouthed.

He gave a non-committal shrug. “It was fine.” Then he remembered his conversation with Gertie and he lunged at the opportunity to engage with Chloe further. “Actually, I heard something interesting.”

Her brows lifting made her forehead scrunch in a cute way. “Hmm?” She stowed her purse and sweater under the bar and tied the apron around her waist. “What was that?”

“Well, I heard two things actually …” Even though he didn’t mean to, his eyes instantly zeroed in on her chest. Were her tits bigger? Or was she just wearing a different bra? They definitely looked bigger. Fuller. His cock thickened a little in his jeans.

She cleared her throat, and his eyes instantly jumped to her face. Impatience and curiosity burned in her gaze. It was almost like she wanted to say, “Spit it out,” but was too kind to say it out loud.

“Well, Wyatt told me what happened at Booch and Bagels today with Carnation’s mom.” He offered her a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

Her cheeks pinked up in a way that made his dick swell even more. Fuck, he was like a teenager around her. “I believe in holding people accountable.”

All he did was nod. “Then Gertie told me today that apparently Wynona’s partner—Carnation’s father—had a secret second family on the mainland. Two kids with this woman and he went and married her, since he was never married to Wynona.”

Chloe’s jaw went slack and her mouth opened.

Why was sliding his thickening dick between those pretty, full lips the first thing Dom thought about? What the fuck was wrong with him?

“The land they’re living on is Reggie’s family land. Wynona isn’t sure she and Carnation will even be able to stay on the island now. It’s all very messy.”

Understanding dawned in Chloe’s eyes. “Hence, why Carnation is acting out. Her entire world has imploded and she has no sense of control. She is lashing out at others and picking fights in order to feel in control of her environment. She’s also not emotionally mature enough to properly process things.”

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