Page 1 of Summer with a Single Dad

Chapter One

Chris

I stepped into the madness of The Cove Bar and Grill. Customers, packed in like sardines, lined the walls and occupied every available chair. Morris, the branch manager at the bank here in Love Beach, wasn’t joking when he said this was one of the hot spots. I wasn’t picky. I just wanted good food and a cold beer.

Life as a single dad didn’t allow me to unwind whenever I wanted, so I treated myself to at least one night out when I traveled for work. I loved being a dad, and I loved my kid more than life itself, but every once in a while, I needed a littlemetime—the kind of time when I didn’t have to worry about homework, laundry, cooking, cleaning, soccer games, and hoping that I wasn’t screwing up my kid.

I snagged the only available seat at the end of the bar. “What do you recommend, Micky?” I asked after looking at the bartender’s name tag. I listened as he listed his favorite beverage and entree options.

“I’ll have the Nutty Brunette,” I said, ordering the house ale he mentioned. “Give me a minute on the food.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

I flipped through the menu to make sure I wanted to go with Micky’s suggestion—the hickory brisket and bacon burger. Micky slid my beer to me, and deciding to go with his recommendation, I placed my order.

I tuned out the laughter and conversation around me and turned my attention to the football game. Five large televisions hung on the back wall.

At the commercial break, my eyes drifted over the sea of people. It was a free-spirited group, to say the least. Those who weren’t wearing jerseys looked like they were either about to hit the town or ready to head to the beach.

“It’s gonna be a couple more minutes for your food. Do you want another beer?” Micky asked as I people-watched.

A group of women at a high-top table nearby caught my attention. “Sure, thanks,” I answered as I locked eyes with a gorgeous brunette. Her attention snapped back to her friends. Someone said something funny because she threw her head back on a laugh. Even with the commotion around me, the joyful sound of her laughter cut through the noise, and my lips turned up when I heard it.

My heart jumped when she walked my way. Then it dropped as she turned and headed toward the restrooms. Still, I watched her hips sway with each step. She had a spectacular backside.

I adjusted myself when my dick thickened. One year and three months without sex made certain parts of my anatomy hyperactive. Apparently, it wasn’t just my mouth that wanted a brunette tonight. After a gulp of the fresh beer Micky brought me, I wondered if she’d taste just as good.

Chapter Two

Emily

“You are so getting laid tonight,” Cassie said as we watched the hot guy at the bar. It was just the two of us now.

“He’s probably waiting for someone,” I said.

“You’re kidding me, right, Emily?” She gave the handsome stranger another glance. “You think a guy is going to be chowing down on a burger at the end of the bar because he’s waiting for his date to show up?”

I shrugged and threw my arm around her. “Doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve already got a hot date tonight.”

“Don’t expect me to put out.” She held up her empty glass, and I laughed. “I’m thirsty.”

“Already?”

“Yes.” She placed her glass in my hand and batted her lashes at me. “Another gin and tonic. Extra lime, please.”

“Are you trying to crawl out of here tonight?”

“I’m trying to forget that your damn dog ate my favorite pair of shoes.”

“He’s very sorry,” I said. Moose, my German shepherd, was a handful. I owed her big time.

Cassie grinned and leaned closer. “If you want to make it up to me, prove it. Get off your ass and go home with him tonight.”

She turned me around and gave me a shove. Cassie was a horndog, but tonight, she’d taken it upon herself to be my wingwoman. I looked back at her as she shooed me forward and said, “Go!”

I mouthed, “I hate you,” before squeezing in next to the sexy man dressed in a forest green sweater. My heart skipped two beats when he turned my way. His hazel green eyes took my breath away.

“Do you come here a lot?” I asked, setting Cassie’s empty glass on the bar. He half snorted, half laughed. I winced. Instead of preparing what to say, I used the lamest pickup line known to man.

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