Page 4 of The Single Dad

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NOELLE

This feels like one of those weird dreams where you stand naked in the middle of a busy street. And then you wonder why you’re naked, how you got here, and which you should cover first—your face or your private parts.

The small LEGO is still sticking at the bottom of my foot, the dildo my best friend and roommate—whom I will kill later—added in the luggage, and my ass in full view. That would have been fine. I don’t have any issues parading naked since I’m confident in my own body.

But…

It’s not just in front of anyone. It’s Adrian. The hottest guy I’ve ever seen. The guy I’ve had a crush on since I was a kid. The subject of all my teenage fantasies. The standard by which every other boy was held. The one I wanted to marry.

It’s been years since I last laid eyes on my brother’s best friend, years since I forced myself to get over the stupid, girlish crush I had on him, years since I was broken-hearted after he gotanother woman pregnant. I thought I had grown out of it, moved past the flustered nerves and wide-eyed admiration.

But now, standing here, facing him, and talking to him again?

Yeah. No.

I am still that girl, apparently.

He was always big, always strong, but now? Now he’s built like a damn door, broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his white shirt, arms thick with muscle. His black hair is cropped short, but it suits him, drawing attention to the sharp cut of his jaw, to the well-trimmed beard framing his mouth.

I cast him a panicked glance over my shoulder. He turns around but not before his deep brown eyes lingered on me, and wait a damn minute … is that a tent in his pants?

No. No way.

That’s not possible. Adrian used to treat me like I was nothing more than an annoying sibling, but he was always kind. He had a smile ready for me, and since he knew I liked sweet things, he would bring me a cupcake or something he picked up from the local bakery. Not to mention, he would help me with my homework when my own brother would just scoff at me.

And yet, there’s no mistaking the brief darkening of his gaze. He walks out without a word, and I’m left in my new bedroom, shame churning in my gut. Shame and something else pooling low in my belly, something warm and pulsing.

It’s my first day, and I’m already messing it up. After everything that happened in the past few weeks, this is the last thing I need.

I miss my old school, my colleagues, my students. But the job took too much of me. I was running on empty. One day bled into the next, and I just woke up and realized I was simply going through the motions. I still loved to teach and help my students, but each time I was called to the principal’s office for not following one of their random, unrealistic rules meant to add unnecessary strain and burden to the teachers, I went home drained. Exhausted.

I love teaching. I love watching their faces light up when something finally clicks, love the chaos of a classroom buzzing with laughter and chatter. But the rules? The endless paperwork? The useless meetings that could’ve been emails? They drain the life out of it.

My students were the only ones who kept me there, but one day, it was no longer enough reason.

So I packed my bags, quit, and went back to our small town. I needed a change of pace, a change of environment, and I wanted to recharge before applying to another school. Somewhere along the way, I lost the spark, and I needed to find the passion to teach again.

That’s how I found myself in Adrian’s house after Peter called me to ask if I wanted an easy job that paid well while I stayed here. My brother knew it would be a week tops before I got bored and restless and started looking for something to occupy my time. Besides, I had nothing else to do, and I had enough experience in babysitting.

The big bonus? Accommodations and meals are free too. Apparently, Adrian has his hands full with several big projects. Most days, he comes home late, so he needs someone to look after Tomtom—I mean Thomas—the whole day.

The surprise on his face earlier, however, made me wonder if Peter didn’t mention I was his babysitter. It would be just like Peter to pull a joke like that on Adrian. He probably thought it would be funny. Or maybe Adrian was surprised I looked so different from the last time he saw me. Either way, it was wonderful to knock him off his feet for once. God knows he’s done that to me too many times already.

Well, there’s nothing funny about my current situation. Less than three hours and Adrian’s already seen me naked. Not front naked, sure, but naked nonetheless. I’m going to have to make up for it. But first, I need to delete that image of his face darkening and his pants tightening.

Based on what Peter has told me, Adrian hasn’t had anyone special in so long, which is understandable. Between Thomas and his business, he probably hardly had time for himself, let alone date. Maybe it’s been a while since he’s seen a naked woman in the flesh. Too bad that woman happens to be me.

There’s no way Adrian will ever look at me like that. That was just a one-time thing. It could have been any woman, and he would have reacted the same way.

After changing into a pair of pajamas—flannel pants and long sleeves for good measure—I gingerly walk downstairs and stand behind the sofa. Adrian is sitting with a beer bottle perched on his lap, his eyes trained on the television.

HGTV. Huh. That makes sense since he builds homes for a living. But I never would have guessed he enjoyed reality TV.

Wringing my hands together, I clear my throat. “Adrian? Listen. I’m sorry?—”

He twists at the waist to face me, his forehead furrowed. “No, Noelle. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have barged into your room like that. I thought something happened, and you were injured or something.” Adrian purses his lips. “Not that it’s a valid reason, but I’m sorry. I acted on instinct because that’s what I usually do when I hear Tomtom yelp.”

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