Page 4 of Fixing Up My Love Life

The bartender appears—an older guy with a gray ponytail, looking like he’s fresh off a pirate ship—and disappears with my order number.

“How’s your mom doing?” Brett asks.

I laugh. “She’s matchmaking again. Thinks I need a girlfriend.”

He smirks. “She’s not wrong. Might be good for Caroline too.”

“Thought about it. But I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“Try that new app—Current. Everyone around here’s using it.”

“Even you?”

“Nah. I’m retired from the dating pool. But you? You might get lucky. Just don’t post that picture from college with the raccoon.”

I roll my eyes. “Noted.”

The bartender brings out the food. I pay, nod to Brett, and head for the door.

“Good luck with the ladies,” he calls.

I head home, unease curling in my gut despite how good the food smells.

I open the front door and freeze.

A stringy-haired kid in a tank top—half a tattoo sleeve, smirk included—is on my couch, too close to my daughter. His backpack’s parked near the doorway like he’s never heard of getting out of people’s way. Their faces spring apart when they notice me.

“Am I interrupting something? Or is this just how you greet guests now?”

He smirks and sticks out a hand. “I’m Cayden. Nice to meet you.”

“You should probably go.”

He shrugs, turning to Caroline. “Later, beautiful.”

“Yep. Later and never again.” I hand him his backpack and hold open the door.

He mutters something as he leaves.

Caroline rounds on me. “Dad! How could you?”

“No, how could you?”

“I’m allowed to have a life.”

“He’s a stranger. Where’d you meet him?”

“The grocery store. We work together.”

“Maybe you should aim for someone who doesn’t vape in the freezer aisle.”

Her mouth falls open. “You’re judging him by how he looks.”

“You’re getting a new job.”

Fury and defiance swirl in her eyes. “You can’t make me.”

“For your safety? Yeah, I can. And because you’re worth more than that, Caroline. You’re smart and going places. I want you with someone who sees that.”

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