Page 1 of The Pucking Single Dad

Chapter One: The Worst and Best Date Ever

“Don’t be a bitch!”

What the fuck did he just say? Those were not the words you want to hear from someone who was late and to a blind date at that. What a stupid jerk.

Luna glanced at her phone. Her date was ten minutes late, and the evening wasn’t shaping up as she had hoped. After a tough day at work, she had been looking forward to a break from reality. Instead, the night was quickly turning into another disappointment.

Luna had just lost her job, although 'fired' wasn't quite the proper term. She hadn't been fired because she was awful at it.; she had done her job very well. But every nanny’s greatest fear had finally come true: the children had grown up and no longer needed a nanny.

Luna had made a solid promise to herself when she first became a nanny. She vowed never to become too attached to thechildren in her care. After all, they were not her own. But despite her best intentions, she couldn't help herself; she loved those children as if they were her own.

So when the time came for her to let them go and watch them step into their teenage years, it felt like a dagger to her heart. She doubted she would see them again, and soon, she would need to find a new job with a new family. It wouldn’t be long before she had to form attachments to another family, only to leave them behind in due time.

Thankfully, she had glowing recommendations, and the family was kind enough to give her a generous bonus. For now, money wasn’t an issue, allowing her to focus on her personal life for a little while.

Luna looked down at her phone once more. Her date was now twenty minutes late. Annoyed, she drank the last of her red wine and signaled the bartender for a refill. If her date was going to be late — or worse, or even possibly a no-show — she might as well enjoy a nice buzz. Just as the bartender returned with her second glass, Luna felt a hand gently touch her shoulder.

“Luna?” the man asked. “It’s me, Tony. I am so sorry I am late. Traffic was horrible, and I had the hardest time flagging down a cab.”

Luna looked up at Tony. He seemed nice, but he was still twenty minutes late. She hated having her time wasted. She considered getting up and leaving but ultimately decided to stay.

“Traffic in the city can be horrible,” Luna said with a slight smile.

She was forcing kindness, but a part of her felt obligated to stay and continue the date.

“Can I get you a drink?” Tony asked nervously.

Luna lifted her newly filled glass of red wine. Tony nodded foolishly.

“I decided to go ahead and get started without you since you were so late,” Luna said with a hint of anger in her voice.

“I better catch up with you then,” Tony said.

He looked around sheepishly for the bartender and flagged him down with his index finger.

“Hey man, could I have a whiskey-coke?” he asked. “Make that a double, please. I have to get on the same playing field as this lady.”

Luna laughed to herself. There was no way he would ever be on the same playing field. This date would be one and done. It was easy to tell there was no chemistry, but what the hell? She had nothing better to do. Plus, she needed to let off some steam after the horrible, emotional day she had.

They began talking about mundane things. Where they grew up, what brought them to the city, and what they each did for a living, were all topics of conversation they discussed. They were the necessary icebreakers for a first date, but Luna also thought these icebreakers were incredibly boring.

She wanted to meet someone with adventure and charisma. Where was that type of guy in the city? For such a populated area, Luna felt she had a hard time meeting men of a decent caliber and did not think her standards were high.

“Well, my business brought me into the city,” Tony stated proudly. “The restaurant business is booming here, as I am sure you know. There are so many great places to eat, but I have to say, my restaurant is the best. Do you like Italian food?”

Luna started to answer what she thought was a question, but she was interrupted by Tony.

“You must love Italian food. Everyone loves Italian food! It is the best. I mean, pasta and pizza, who doesn’t love that? All of our dough is made fresh and by hand, none of that fake shit. I mean, we make real Italian dishes. Have you ever been to Gino’s on 5thStreet?”

Again, Luna began to answer Tony’s question, only to be interrupted by him again. She began to think he just loved the sound of his own voice. First, he was late to their date, and now, he would not let her get a word in.

Luna chugged her wine, and before she could place another order, the bartender set a fresh glass of red wine in front of her. She looked at him with a smile. He had to realize she was stuck on a terrible date. She appreciated his pity, even if it was unwarranted. It was clear to everyone but Tony – that this date was heading nowhere good.

“Well, if you haven’t been to Gino’s, do not bother going,” Tony coolly stated. “The dough is never good. The food never has any seasoning to it. It is not worth the trip, the money, or the time. I mean, who likes having their time wasted?”

This time, Luna got a word in. She was many glasses deep into the night.

“Well, I certainly do not like having my time wasted,” she confidently stated. “That is why, honestly, I was upset you were so late to our date.”

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