Page 35 of Summer with a Single Dad

“Still,” I said. “Text me so I know you’re home safe.”

“Will do.”

I gave her a quick hug and whispered, “I’ll give you an extra kiss next time.”

She kept her laugh inside.

“Thank you again, gentlemen,” she said, opening the front door.

“Wait,” Hudson said.

Emily was caught off guard as much as I was when Luke hugged her. “Goodnight,” he said, releasing her. Then he patted Moose and Rufus’s heads.

She touched her heart and smiled at me.

It wasn’t just her heart that melted from the moment.

“Text me,” I said as her feet hit the driveway. I smiled at Hudson and called, “And don’t forget to brush your teeth!”

Hudson giggled, and Emily laughed, throwing her hand in the air to wave goodbye one last time.

Chapter Fifteen

Emily

“You need to take a chill pill,” Cassie chastised as she chucked a series of balls for the dogs.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into me?—”

“I do,” she said, snorting loudly.

“Oh, shut your face!”

“Maybe if you shut your face . . .”

I could see the wheels spinning when I met her eyes.

“Nope,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t think of anything funny to finish that one.”

“Thank goodness.” I dumped everything into a big bucket on the grass.

“I don’t know why you’re wound tighter than a gnat’s ass. You’re the one who’s been getting laid on the regular.”

“Was,” I corrected. “Was getting laid on the regular.” I sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, Hudson is as cute as a button. Even cuter than his dog.”

“Cuter than his dad?”

I sighed. “Yes. He’s freaking adorable. He’s got this soft, wavy hair. Big brown eyes. A couple of freckles across his nose. These sweet little dimples.”

“Sounds like you’re in love.”

“I think I could be. With him and Luke,” I amended, pulling a leash through my hands.

She snorted another laugh. “Yeah, right.”

“It’s weird because it’s so easy to be around him. Easier than I thought it would be. He’s smart and loves to eat.”

“Who doesn’t?”

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