Page 5 of Summer with a Single Dad

Chris

As always, I woke five minutes before my alarm. In the dark, I was the only one in the bed, and the cold spot beside me told me Madison had left sometime in the middle of the night.

After showering, I headed back to the Love Beach branch for a final day of work.

“How was your night?” Morris, the branch manager, asked.

“Uneventful,” I lied.

“You go to The Cove?”

“Yeah. Thanks for the recommendation. It was just what I wanted.” Madison’s face flashed in my head.

“Glad to hear it,” he said.

“You have those papers from yesterday?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah, right here.” He handed me the folders we needed to finish reviewing, and I got to work.

Every once in a while, Madison’s face reappeared, or her sexy little moans echoed in my mind. I couldn’t concentrate. Every single memory pulled me back under.

I still couldn’t believe she left without leaving her number or any way to contact her again.

I worked late, biding my time as much as I could. Back at my hotel, I changed into jeans and a button-up shirt and went back to the restaurant. I hoped to find her sitting at the same table she was at last night.

I waited until ten o’clock. Slightly buzzed, I walked back to my hotel and flopped into bed. Madison remained on my mind when my alarm woke me up the next morning. Apparently, only a belly full of beer helped me sleep until my alarm went off.

I boarded the plane and turned my focus to what was most important in my life. My son would be excited to have me home, and he didn’t deserve to have a dad who was distracted by a woman in another state, let alone one he’d only known for one night.

For weeks, I struggled not to think about Madison. After a month, she stopped haunting my dreams, and eventually, I forgot all about her and the amazing night we shared.

At least, that was the lie I told myself.

Nine months later

“If you want to leave, you’re going to have to take a demotion,” Rick said. My boss wasn’t being a dick. He was just being honest.

“That’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“It’s a serious cut in your salary,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter. I have money saved, so it won’t sting as much.”

“I know it’s been stressful for you. I appreciate you sticking it out for as long as you could, Chris.”

“I wish I didn’t have to do this. I know I’m letting you down, but I have to do this to give my son some stability.”

“You’re not letting me down. I understand your situation and appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

“Thank you.” I sighed, feeling a real sense of relief. “What are my options?”

“There’s only one at the moment.” Rick opened a file folder. “At least it’s here on the East Coast. Moving won’t be as bad.”

“Where?”

He slid the file to me. The shock hit me like a knockout punch when I scanned the address.

“Love Beach.” Rick’s words echoed around me.

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