Page 53 of Falling for the Single Daddy

“Should, should, should, Callie,” she says, turning to me. “Life is not made ofshould, though, is it? Life is made ofwant. Ofdesire. Oflust. There’s a reason you spend so much time reading those hot-and-heavy books of yours. Not just for fun, not just for the story. Let’s be honest, Callie. You want that for yourself. You just never planned on your Prince Charming being a daddy who is also your boss.”

“And whose kid we could royally mess up if the relationship ends badly.”

“Then don’t let it end badly,” she says. “Fightfor it.”

Her words hit me like a challenge. I stand up and begin pacing the room. I’m flooding with a dangerous amount of energy. And there’s something else, too. Purpose. An idea.

“Kat,” I murmur. “Do you think we could use your car tonight? I’ve got a crazy idea.”

Her face lights up. “Now you have, how do you say, beaked my interest.”

I giggle. “I think it’spiqued.”

“Come on—let’s get beaking.” She winks, making both of us laugh.

Am I really going to do this? I don’t give myself time to think about it. Maybe it makes me crazy. Perhaps it makes me a hypocrite. But if this is how I feel just after a few hours without seeing Gray, what will a full day, a week, or a month be like? If this hunger deep inside isn’t a sign, then what is it?

***

“This is so romantic,” Kat says as we surge across the city, heading toward the suburbs where Gray lives. “You’re like Juliet, hmm? Valiantly fighting for your love.”

“Let’s hope the story ends differently, though,” I mutter.

But there’s a big chance that it ends the same, if not exactly, but at least in spirit. It’s not like the obstacles have disappeared. If I were being less selfish, I’d probably use my logical brain to talk myself down from this romantic ledge. But there’s nothing logical about this all-too-natural yearning deep within.

The closer we get to his house, the more certain I feel.

“We should park around the corner,” I tell Katerina. “I don’t want Emery to see us before we’ve sorted some things out. Heck, I’m sure Emery’s asleep, but it’s better to be on the safe side.”

“You’re so kind, Cat-kin. Good idea. Are you going to call him?”

When Katerina parks the car, nerves swirl through me. I probably should’ve called himbeforewe drove all this way in the middle of the night. But that would’ve given me time to lose my nerve. When I take out my phone to make the call, Dad’s name appears.

“Wait a sec. My dad is calling me.”

“Maybe wondering where you are?”

“Maybe. I’m a jerk. I should’ve told him.” I answer. “Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, Callie,” Dad replies. “Sorry—where are you?”

“It’s hard to explain,” I reply, then quickly realize this cryptic approach could cause serious problems considering our history. “Well, I drove out to see my ex-boss, Gray. I know how it sounds, but—”

“Wow, that’s funny,” Dad mutters.

“What’s funny about that?”

“Gray is here.”

“What?”

“He swung by the apartment. He was very apologetic about calling so late, but he said hehadto see you. He said he had some things to tell you. Callie. This polite young man isn’t just yourboss, is he?”

I smile at the way Dad phrases it. Of course, Gray is far older than me. But to Dad, he’s apolite young man. “No, Dad. He’s much more than that.”

Dad speaks to somebody in the room with him, presumably Gray. “She’s driven to seeyou. Yes, she’s there now—Whoa, okay.” Dad speaks to me again. “He said he’s coming to see you right now. He said to stay where you are. He said he’ll be there in around forty minutes since the traffic is light.”

“Oh, wow.” My heart begins to thunder, a warm glow flowing over me. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

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