Page 50 of Falling for the Single Daddy

“I’m just wondering what this is all about. You never want to meet.”

“Well, things could be better between us, couldn’t they? For Emery’s sake?”

“Yes, they could,” I agree.

She orders a glass of champagne. I order sparkling water. She looks a little annoyed that I’m not drinking, too, but she doesn’t say anything about it. My mood is in the gutter, a pit devouring any good feelings I could have. I can’t stop thinking about leaving Callie. No kiss. No hug. Just coldness, as if we’re strangers.Which we are…But I can’t convince myself of that.

“How are things with the nanny?”

“I let her go,” I tell Sloane.

“Oh?” Sloane can’t even hide her smile. It makes me sick. “Why?”

“Scheduling issues,” I lie. “So, why did you want to meet?”

Her eyes gleam hungrily as though she wants to ask about these so-called scheduling issues. Sloane rests her chin on her hands and says, “I want to be a bigger part of Emery’s life. But I don’t want things to get ugly in court.”

That sounds vaguely like a threat, but I don’t rise to it. “If we handle it correctly, I don’t see why you couldn’t see more of her. But you have to understand, she’s her own person. She’s not going to become your dream daughter on command. Or behave the way you want just likethat.” I snap my fingers.

“I know,” Sloane snaps. “I neverexpectedher to.”

She did, but I’m not going to point out the obvious. If she wants to play make-believe, then fine, let her. Goddamn, I’m in a vicious mood. I can’t stop thinking about the way Callie said goodbye, a croak in her voice. I wanted to turn back, grab her, kiss her again. But her father was standing at her side. It was probably for the best.

“We can discuss regular visits,” I say.

Sloane nods slowly. “Are you going to get a new nanny?”

“What does that have to do with your visits?”

She takes a long sip of champagne, then says, “I’m just asking…”

“I’m just asking a question, too,” I grit out. “I’d like an answer.”

“Maybe I’ll have to work my visits around a new nanny.” Sloane shrugs.

I lean forward, knowing I need to remain calm, knowing this could mean instigating something with Sloane. But I’m too amped up after leaving Callie. It shouldn’t feel this way, but I’mso sick of thinking ofshouldandshouldn’t. Ishouldn’thave said all those things to Callie last night, but I did, and I don’t want to take any of it back.

“Let’s be real, Sloane. You saw that I had feelings for Callie. And, even if you never had feelings for me, even if we were wrong from the start, you wanted to take that away. Why?”

Sloane’s lip curls. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” I snap. “Why, Sloane? Why does it matter to you if I fall in love with somebody whenwewere never in love?”

Sloane gasps. “So you love her?”

I need to backtrack. Fast. Right now. I need to rewind and try and talk myself back from the ledge. Talking about love with Sloane, of all people—it’s like I’m poking a wild animal.

“I think I’m falling in love with her,” I say. “Emery loves her, too. I know I’m crazy for telling you this. But the thing is, Sloane, there’s a way we can work this out, so it’s good foreverybody. Me finding a woman who cares about Emery is good for her. If you could somehow find it in your heart not to hate or resent me for it, that would be good for Emery, too. You could see her more often—she could havetwowomen in her life who care about her. But you won’t, will you?” I say, raising my voice. “No, you’ll want to tear me down for it out of some sick resentment or jealousy. You don’t want me for yourself. But you don’t want anybody else to have me either.”

She grips the edge of the table, leaning back, looking at me with shock gripping her features. “Is that seriously what you think of me?”

“Sloane, you found herex-boss, gave him afake name, and then brought him as yourdate.” With each emphasized word, I aim a finger at her.

She flinches, looking almost guilty for the first time I can remember. “I wasn’t thinking straight. I’ll admit that. I was… well, let’s say I wasn’t just drunk, okay? Let’s say I’ve been getting involved with certain things that have clouded my thinking.”

“And now?”

“I’ve decided to leave those things behind.”

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