Page 9 of The Single Dad

Because she’s right there,smiling, laughing, fitting.

The ache from earlier hasn’t left. If anything, it’s settled deeper in my chest, stubborn and unrelenting.

I want this. I want her.Not just for tonight. Not just for moments like these.

I want her here. Always.

And judging by the warmth in her gaze when she looks at me, maybe, just maybe, she wants that too. A man can hope.

Dinner is halfway done when Tomtom points his fork at her, chicken grease on his chin. “Did you know my dad doesn’t like asparagus?”

She gasps dramatically, setting her fork down as though this is breaking news, widening her eyes at me. “No way.That can’t be true. Adrian always ate the veggies my mom prepared, even broccoli.”

My son nods eagerly, pointing his asparagus at me. “It is! He always makes me eat them, but he never does. I saw him eat once, and his face looked almost green. He didn’t chew, just swallowed it.”

She turns to me, raising a teasing brow. “Interesting.”

I sigh, shaking my head, wondering if this will be my life from now on. “I eat them when I have to.”

“Mm-hmm.” She smirks. “Let’s test that theory.”

Before I can protest, she spears an asparagus off her plate and holds it to my lips. I stare at her, unamused. She stares back, challenging. I never thought I’d see the day Noelle would one-up me, my own son egging her on.

Tomtom is practically bouncing in his seat. “Do it, Dad!”

I narrow my eyes. “This is bullying, and it’s about to stop being funny.”

She grins. “Come on now. Veggies are good for you. Didn’t you know that kids learn by example?”

I could refuse. I could remind them both that I am the parent here. That I am the head of this family. That my words are the law. That what I say goes.

But she’s looking at me with that playful glint in her eyes, and my son is watching like this is the most important moment ofhis life. I’d hate to be the party pooper. Like I said, I’m kind of a pleaser.

With a roll of my eyes and a heavy sigh, I take the bite.

Tomtom erupts into cheers. “We got him, Nono!”

Noelle laughs, clapping along with him, her smile so wide it makes my chest tighten again and again.

And just like that, I know this isn’t just dinner. This isn’t just another night.

This is home.Our home. Me, Tomtom, and Noelle. Our little family has grown overnight.

The house is quieter now,except for the low sound of the movie playing on the screen. The little guy crashed halfway through, worn out from all the excitement, and after hours of learning to ride a bike, and now it’s just us. We’re too invested in the movie to change it, so here we are, Noelle and I, watching a movie about weird little yellow creatures who love bananas and their boss, who’s apparently the ‘greatest villain on the planet’.

Noelle is on the opposite end of the couch, legs tucked under her. It’s not her first night here, but she might as well have been living here for years.

I try to focus on the movie, but it’s impossible when she’s right there.

“So,” she drawls, stretching her legs out until her foot nudges my thigh, “what’s it like being old watching cartoons?”

I don’t even look away from the screen, even as the side of my mouth twitches. “I wouldn’t know. Early thirties is still young. But you tell me, what’s it like being annoying since the day you were born?”

She laughs. “I mean, I used to see you and my brother hanging out when I was, like, ten.Back when I had butterfly clips and wrote in my notebook with a glitter pen.”

I glance at her now. “Girl, I was just seventeen at the time. And you were a menace at ten, by the way. And I remember that glitter pen with the unicorn keychain. Peter brought it to school, and when I asked to borrow a pen, he gave it to me. I realized too late that I answered our math exam in pink.”

“You stole my favorite pen?!”

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