Page 28 of A Little Puck Luck

I chuckled and went back to pancake making. With a flick, I quickly tossed it onto my plate since it was about to burn. Eric looked less than impressed, but that was okay. I was going to enjoy it.

This time, I had a much easier time getting the shapes right. It actually looked like Mickey Mouse. Just like my dad’s. I was so careful flipping it since I didn’t want to screw it up. Thankfully, it kept its shape. I held up the golden brown pancake and showed it to Eric. “See, yours is better.”

“Yeah. A real Mickey Mouse.”

I let it cook a little bit longer, so it was perfect on both sides.

After I slid it off, I put three more dots into the pan. Annette would need something to eat when she finally woke up.

“Go ahead and put anything on yours.”

I quickly put some peanut butter on my pancake. Then, I sliced a banana on it. After that, it was the fluff. I was tempted to put some chocolate drizzle on it, but the coaches would kill me if I got too fat. I needed to eat healthy.

Eric followed suit and put everything on his pancake exactly as I did. I didn’t know if he was copying me or if it was what he really wanted, but I didn’t want to ask him. Instead, I grabbed the little container with the powdered sugar and sprinkled some onto Eric’s pancake.

Then, he took some powder and attempted to sprinkle it on mine, but it ended up being more of a throw. Which meant I retaliated by throwing some powdered sugar back since I wanted to hear him giggle and smile like that for a little longer.

I had to act like an adult, so before things got too far along, I put the powdered sugar away to ensure it wouldn’t cause a huge mess in the kitchen.

I leaned on the island and used my fork to cut into the pancake. “So, I wanted to ask something super important.”

Eric leaned in and nodded. It was such a me move that it was crazy. When he did shit like that, it made me wonder if he was a clone rather than my kid.

“Would it be okay if I dated your mom?” I went right in and asked Eric.

“Sure. I like you. You’re way better than my other dad, and I’ve been so happy.”

It was a punch to the gut that he still called Annie’s ex his other dad. I wanted to be his only dad. Eventually, Luke would be a long-distant memory. We rarely even talked about him anymore. At least the therapy was working.

But I wasn’t thinking about that asshole since I was given the okay to pursue a relationship with Annie. Now, I just needed to decide the best way forward with a dating plan.

All of a sudden, Eric asked, “Could we do a father-son day?”

“Hell, yes.” Then I realized I probably shouldn’t have said the word hell. At least it wasn’t a real swear word. “I heard there’s a trampoline park nearby. Want to try it out?”

Eric nodded as he tried to furiously chew through the pancake pieces stuffed in his mouth.

“Okay. We’ll go after we’re done eating and you get dressed.”

Eric shoveled the food into his mouth, not taking any time to savor anything. But it was okay. I loved seeing him so excited.

Chapter 21

Annette

Wakingup,Iwasoverwhelmed by Terry’s spicy cologne. Then I realized why I felt like I was being bathed in the stuff. I was in his bedroom.

And I had the worst hangover ever.

The last thing I remember was talking to Terry about something on the couch. He must have carried me upstairs and took me to bed.

God, please don’t tell me I slept with him.

I pushed myself up, trying to get my bearings.

The house was quiet. Too quiet. As a mom, it always raised my hackles. I didn’t care if Terry was a great dad. I needed to know what my son was doing and that he wasn’t hurt or up to mischief.

As I sat up, I noticed there was a note on the nightstand. I picked it up.

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