Page 49 of Falling for the Single Daddy

“Is that a problem?” he asks.

I shrug. I don’t know why the thought makes me so nervous. Possibly, it’s because it feels like more than an employer—or ex-employer—meeting my dad.

We head upstairs. I was right. Dad’s in the living room, standing at the window with his old camera in his hand. He always wanted to pursue photography, but the cult had a bunch of bogus rules about personal expression. Dad turns, smiling. He’s on the shorter side, gray hair peeled over the bald spot on top, with a warm expression that the world has never been able to beat down.

“Dad,” I say. “This is Gray. Gray, this is my dad, Sebastian.”

Dad lays his camera down and approaches Gray, offering his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And you, sir,” Gray says. “I’m sorry it couldn’t be under better circumstances.”

I flinch, shooting Gray a look.

“Excuse me?” Dad says.

“I just… ah, didn’t Callie tell you? Things didn’t, uh, work out between us.” I smile at how boyish Gray has suddenly become. Somehow, despite everything, he can still draw a smile out of me.

“Oh,” Dad mutters, taking a step back.

“It’s fine, Dad.”

“Callie said everything was going well,” Dad says. “She was bonding with… Emery, isn’t it?”

“Yes, sir,” Gray says. “Callie is amazing at her job. She’s attentive, enthusiastic, and caring. She’s the best nanny I’ve ever had. It has nothing to do with her. It’s my ex—it’s a personal issue. I’m sorry, sir.”

Dad shakes his head slowly. “You don’t have to apologize tome.”

I swallow. Things are getting tense. “Honestly, Dad, it’s fine. Gray, shall we get the last of my things?”

In the hallway, Gray says. “I’m sorry. I thought he knew.”

“It’s fine,” I say.

Suddenly, Gray spins and grabs my shoulders. It’s like a burst of fiery longing is flaring through him. He leans down, staring into me—intome—like he can see all the confusion muddling my heart. “It’s not fine,” he growls. “We shouldn’t be doing this. We shouldn’t pretend we’ll be able to walk away.”

What am I thinking? I’m not, apparently, because I grip his shoulders and pull him in for a kiss. I press my body against him, feeling his heat burning through his clothes, like any second we’re both going to go up in flames. I only stop when I hear somebody coming up the stairs.

He takes a step back, shuddering, his face red with passion.

“What other choice do we have?” I say.

He grits his teeth, and it’s like I can see all the things he wants to say, all the madness he wants to offer. Maybe he’ll start using silly words likeloveandstepmomagain.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

I almost slap him. Suddenly, I feel as if I’m on the verge of tears, but I manage to beat them back down and swallow the agony. It’s not fair of him to ask me that as if what Iwantis the only thing at stake here.

“Let’s just get the rest of my things,” I murmur, turning away.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Gray

Sloane gestures at me from the corner table. She’s dressed up, wearing a tight dress and expensive jewelry on her ears, throat, and wrists. All it does is make me want to be with Callie, sit on my back porch and watch her in the yard with Emery, Callie wearing one of her simple summer dresses that draws out her natural beauty.

“Sloane,” I say tersely.

She smiles tightly. “You sound very happy to see me,” she says sarcastically.

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