Page 40 of She's perfect for Daddy

“What is it, little ones?”

“Vion!”

“Vrummm!”

“But I can only do it with one at a time.” He looked at them both, and they nodded.

Taking it in turns could help them learn to wait their turn.

Tyler downed the rest of the whisky in a few gulps and handed the glass to me, slamming it down before taking one of my daughters in his arms and running off with her through the huge living room of my apartment.

“He's better with children than you think.” Deborah watched Tyler play with the girls.

“Maybe he's just an uncle.”

“I think he'll be a good father too.”

“For that, you need to stop with a woman.” I reached out to leave the empty glass on the tray.

“He's not the only one.”

“It won't start.” I twisted my lips in irritation and looked away. “My moment has passed.”

“You act as if you died with her,” he muttered.

“I never said that.” I was even more irritated by the direction the conversation was taking.

“Years have passed, and you're still here, single, bitter, and sad.”

“It's not because I haven't found another wife that I'm bitter and sad. My daughters are a constant source of joy.”

“They're lovely, but that's not what I'm talking about.”

“I don't want a girlfriend, Deborah, and certainly not another wife.”

“Why not?”

“You know.”

“I may have forgotten.”

“You're not going to do that to me.” I crossed my arms.

“I'm not doing anything. You're the one with the dodgy answers. You always get like that when I try to tell you that youneed to go out and meet new people. I'm not even talking about getting married, but a girlfriend could be great for you.”

“I'm fine the way I am.”

“You know she's never coming back, don't you?”

“Of course, I know!”

“So...”

“So, nothing, Deby.”

“Why are you doing this to yourself, Thom? It's torture you don't need. You don't have to punish yourself for being alive and her not.”

“Torture? You don't understand, do you?” I shook my head, and she stared at me, expecting more than just that reaction from me.

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