Page 19 of I've Got You

Friends. I could totally do friends.

Chapter Nine

DAVIS

In the pastfew days since my impromptu evening with Scott, I’d spent time shooting the shit with Tanner and Carter, while the former of the two mocked me for sleeping in the spare room on my night off. I’d also survived work with no drama and a steady parade of customers. Not only that, I’d finally pulled my finger out and advertised for some help. I wasn’t sure how I’d work the roster yet. It would all depend on who I selected—assuming I had applicants—and what their strengths were and in what area. It was something I hoped to work out, ideally ASAP.

While I’d been fully aware balancing being a parent and working would be tricky, I worked more hours than I liked and felt guilty as shit for it. The truth was, I wanted to spend time with Libby. I didn’t want to keep missing out on so much. There was also the fact I was exhausted from the hours I kept.

I glanced at the time on my kitchen wall. “Shit.” I was running late.

“Sip, sip, Dada.”

I cast an anxious glance at Libby, who was elbow deep in toast and jelly; she gurgled at me and giggled. I clamped my mouth shut and forced myself not to react. Libby had been gurgling and muttering words for the past month or so. It was fucking awesome, especially when she said Dada for the first time and wasn’t pointing at Rex but instead had her arms open to me. But I really had to curb my language, or at least get creative. The last thing I wanted was her daycare calling me up complaining that Libby’d been teaching all the other toddlers creative curses.

“What’s that, baby, you want a sip from your cup?” I picked up her sippy cup from next to the sink and placed it on her tray table.

She eyed me speculatively then shook her head. “No. Ship, ship.”

Fuck me dead. She was getting too damn close. “Alrighty. Daddy said ship,ship. We can play with the ship, your boat in the bath later, okay?” With my fingers pressed against her soft tummy, I tickled and was treated to her cooing laughter. After dropping a kiss to her head, I swiped a cloth, dampened it, and proceeded to wipe her down so she was sort of presentable. I was certain the remnants of butter and jelly in her hair would be sticky for later, but it would have to wait for tonight. “Come on then, kiddo.” Unbuckled and in my arms, I collected Libby’s bag and grabbed what I needed for the day and headed to the car.

It didn’t take long to reach her daycare, Daisy Chains. It was a nice place, and they’d looked after Libby from when she was just a few months old. I took pride in knowing they adored her. It made leaving her every day that little bit easier. “Hey, Jenny,” I greeted when I stepped into the sunshine-bright room.

With a push of her glasses up the bridge of her nose, Jenny gave me a small wave. “How are two of my favorite people?” She stepped around the entrance counter toward us.

“Great, thanks, if not a bit late.”

She nodded. “I can take her from here. Just sign her in and you’re good to go.”

Before I released my girl, I pressed kisses to her cheeks and forehead. She smiled and grabbed my nose and blew a raspberry, remembering a game we’d been playing together. I laughed. “Hey there, stinker.” I blew a small raspberry on her cheek. “Love you, baby. I’ll see you a little later. Uncle Tanner’s picking you up.”

With wide eyes, she looked at me. “Ump.”

“Yep, Uncle Tanner.” Ump was the best we’d managed so far. We all understood, so it worked for us. It just became hilarious when Carter was Carp. I handed Libby and her bag over to Jenny before stepping over and signing her in, adding the note that Tanner would be collecting Libby today for me. “Thanks, Jenny.” I waved at my girl and blew her a kiss.

“No problem. Have a good day.”

The morning air was fresh, with just a small amount of chill to it. I liked mornings, probably as a result of so many early starts baking and preparing food in the early hours. It didn’t make getting up with Libby any easier though. She’d been through a stage of waking up every hour or so for three months straight at one point. This parenting shit was hard, and doing it by myself while working full-time… hell, I didn’t know how I managed it. Wasn’t quite sure how any parent, single or a couple, survived. Coffee, I expected. It was one of the pros of owning my own coffee place.

There were times I wondered just how easy life would have been or could be if I had someone else to share my life with. I wasn’t actively seeking, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t lonely, or horny. Scott’s sweet face, complete with haunted eyes, flashed in my mind. Admittedly, I didn’t want to like the guy, but I did. I definitely didn’t want to think about fucking the guy, but again, I did. It had complicated and messy written all over it. While I couldn’t be certain of that, navigating through a relationship with someone who was still coming to terms with themselves, their sexuality, was a hell of a thing. I didn’t know if I had the energy, truth be told. It didn’t matter if he could be totally worth it. If I didn’t have the energy to spend one night away from Libby staying up past ten, then I didn’t see how I could even consider Scott as anything more than a possible friend.

It didn’t mean he couldn’t star in a few of my fantasies, though.

Just a few minutes later I parked and stepped into the welcoming scent of fresh coffee and the pleasant chatter of customers. I smiled, welcoming the locals, which seemed to be everyone currently here. It was rare we had unknowns pass through.

I stepped behind the counter. “Morning,” I greeted Katie. “Everything okay?”

Along with her usual bright smile, Katie nodded and answered happily, “All good, boss. Libby okay?”

I bobbed my head in reply. “She sure is. Thanks.” I took a quick glance at Phil, who was serving a regular, before allowing my gaze to roam over the tables and my customers. Everything appeared to be running smoothly. There was a decent crowd in, some whizzing in and out getting to-go coffee and pastries, while others took the time to sit and relax, seemingly in no hurry.

Pride bubbled in my chest. I’d previously managed a coffee shop, one that specialized in crepes. The owner had let me run things completely, which had really allowed me to get a full understanding of starting and running a place of my own from the ground up. The pay hadn’t been that great, but it had been worth it. This was the reward. I’d gained the knowledge and the experience, made the mistakes, all without risk to myself. It had made the decision to move to Kirkby about eighteen months or so ago completely worth it. Without it, I’d never have had the balls to start up.

And I was so glad that I did. All I needed now was to continue to step back a little and hand over the reins. My aim was to focus on baking while employing the staff I needed to do all of the front counter work. I was so close to achieving that.

Balance, I reminded myself.

“You good here,” I said to Katie, “if I head on to the kitchen?”

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