Page 40 of Summer with a Single Dad

“But, Dad,” I heard Hudson say.

They exchanged a few more indecipherable words before I heard Hudson say, “I want my mom. I just want my mom.”

My heart broke as the earth fell from beneath my feet.

I pressed my hand to my lips and tiptoed back to the living room.

Feeling lost and alone, I tried to make sense of what I was feeling.

I couldn’t hurt Hudson. It was obvious this was happening too fast. It was too soon to think I could become a part of their family.

Of course, he missed his mom. Kayla was everything a mom should be. Chris’s stories and memories proved that to me. I couldn’t take that away from Hudson. And my presence would only serve as proof that she wasn’t here.

I wanted to be someone important in his life—and in Chris’s.

But how could I be anything but a constant reminder of what they lost—of what they didn’t have?

My heart broke for Hudson, the sweet little boy who deserved to have his mom and dad. It broke for Chris, too. He lost his wife and the mother of his child.

Chris may have mourned and grieved. He might be ready to move on.

But it didn’t seem like Hudson was ready.

And I couldn’t let my feelings for Chris—or for Hudson—cloud my judgment.

Hudson needed time. He needed Chris.

Neither one of them needed me to come in and ruin their family.

Chapter Sixteen

Chris

What the hell happened last night?

I pictured Emily sitting with Hudson and me this morning. Instead, we were rolling solo, eating our breakfast. I was prepared to make pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Sadly, Hudson wasn’t impressed with my culinary talent. When he asked for toast, I didn’t object.

I did my best not to sulk at the fact that Emily bolted like a scared colt last night.

Hudson scrutinizing which jam he liked better was pretty damn funny. One slice was topped with strawberry jam, the other with blackberry. He took a bite and closed his eyes as if he were some celebrity chef on a cooking show.

My son amazed me each and every day. I kept my laughter tucked inside as I continued to watch him.

“Which do you like better?” I asked while simultaneously trying to answer the one question that had plagued me since Emily left last night.

“Hm,” he considered. “I think I like the strawberry best.” He cocked his head like he might change his mind but asked, “Where’s Emily?”

Good question.

Ten hours earlier, we’d been right on the precipice of having the perfect night together. The dogs were snoozing away, Hudson had fallen asleep between Emily and me, and thanks to the summer storm, the adults were finally going to have their first official sleepover since Hudson came home.

Hudson asking if Emily was my girlfriend was the icing on the cake.

So, what happened to cause her to run away?

I couldn’t put my finger on it—the thing that changed between us being in my bedroom and fifteen minutes later, when she couldn’t get out of my house fast enough.

The only thing I could think of was that I did something to piss her off. But for the life of me, I couldn’t think of anything I did wrong.

---