Page 18 of Merry with a Single Dad

Cassie swooned again as Chris and I kissed.

“I’m gonna eat with Hudson. Give you two some time to chat,” he said, picking up two plated lunches.

“Okay,” I said, my eyes following him longingly as he walked away.

“Man, you’ve got it bad,” Cassie said, sidling up beside me. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

I sighed, completely smitten and in love with the boys who officially stole my heart. “I’m so happy that sometimes I’m scared.”

“That’s how you know it’s true love.”

Later that night, I thought about Cassie’s words. She was right—Chris was my true love. So was Hudson. I’d spent my life untethered to anyone because of my childhood trauma. Mygrandma was the only one capable of unconditional love, and I’d learned that from her. But I never thought I’d find it for myself.

Now that I had, I hoped and prayed my best friend would find it, too.

My fingers raced desperately across the screen.

Me

Come home for lunch. ??

A minute later, my cheeks flushed in anticipation as I read Chris’s incoming text.

Chris

?? + ?? = ??

I couldn’t suppress my laughter as I texted back:

Me

Perv ?? ??

What was it about sex in the afternoon?

Maybe it was Chris.

I’d become addicted to the man I was head over heels in love with.

As I rummaged through my things to find something sexy to wear, my eyes landed on my Catwoman accessories.

“Rrrrr,” I purred to myself as I pulled the mask and ears out. I slipped the tail through my hand and pulled on it. Yep, it was long and strong enough.

I thought back to the time I tied him up using his belt.

“Mmm-hmm,” I hummed.

This was going to be a nooner he’d never forget.

I didn’t have time to catch the flu—not with Thanksgiving upon us.

What made things worse was that I gave it to Hudson.

Over the weekend, Chris doted on us, running baths, bringing medicine, and serving water and ginger ale when we wanted. He made hot peppermint green tea for me and gave Hudson Pedialyte to help us rehydrate. Between us and the dogs, we’d run him ragged.

I had to hand it to him. The man was a trooper through it all.

With Thanksgiving a little over a week away and the mile-long list we needed to finish to prepare for our first holiday together, he didn’t lose his cool. I was too exhausted to be a complete mess, but I hated that this happened at the most inopportune time. Chris’s family was due to arrive from Florida the following week, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

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