Page 17 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

“Daddy,”Scarlettyellsandthrows herself in my arms as soon as I walk through the front door, making my heart flip. There’s no sign of Emmy, so I assume she’s in the kitchen with whoever’s cooking. “Wait until you see what Uncle Dunky did!”

“I can’t wait.” My mouth pulls up, and I kiss her on the cheek. “How was school today?”

“It was okay.” She shrugs, playing with the collar of my shirt. My daughter is never shy; in fact, I have a hard time getting her to be quiet most days, but lately she’s been talking about a boy named Steven. Whenever something happens with him at school, this is the version of her I see.

“Just okay?” She shrugs, and a tiny prick of sadness hits my heart with the fact that my little girl is growing up way too fast. I used to be the person she shared everything that happened in her life, but not with this topic. Luckily, she has her godmother to talk to about boys.

“Hey, David,” Ava yells from the kitchen, just as Duncan shows up in the dining room carrying a dish of lasagna. Emmy follows close behind.

“I think you have a fan.” I nod toward my dog. Watching Duncan place the food on an already set table. “Is she going home with you tonight?”

“Not funny, Daddy!” Scarlett chastises me, scooting out of my arms. “This is Emmy’s home, and she’s staying. Right, Emmy?”

As if that dog understands every word my daughter says, she glares at me—yes,glares—and then huffs before turning around and following Scarlett into the kitchen.

Duncan chuckles. The smile on his face is so wide I swear it’s going to split. “I don’t know how you did it, but now you have two of them.”

A sigh falls from me. He’s not even a little bit wrong. Making my way to the table, I sit at the end.

“Babe, can you grab the iced tea from the fridge?” Ava asks Duncan, her gaze warm with affection. When he reaches her, he leans and gives her a kiss, then whispers something in her ear before heading back to the kitchen. Her cheeks flush.

“There are children present,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Is that child sitting at the table?” Ava teases as she takes the seat next to me. Reaching out, she puts her hand on my arm. “How are you? Are you feeling better about your recent addition?”

Placing my hand over hers, I squeeze. “You and Dunc have been lifesavers. Thank you for helping me.”

“First, I’m glad you asked.” She smirks, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Second, you know that you never have to beg me or Duncan to spend extra time with Scarlett.”

“But it wasn’t just—”

“David,” she says firmly. “That goes for your new dog, too.”

As if on cue, my daughter walks out carrying a bowl of salad, with her mini-me close behind. Duncan places the iced tea on the table and takes the empty seat next to Ava. Scarlett settles in next to me, and Emmy makes herself comfortable under the table.

Glancing around the room, my heart beating calmly, I enjoy the feeling of peace that settles deep in my bones. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Scarlett taking a carrot from her salad and sliding her hand down.

“Scarlett,” I growl.

“What, Daddy?” she asks, slowly pulling her hand out from under the table. A look of pure innocence lighting her face.

Duncan and Ava both cough to cover up their laughs. A tail gently wags against my leg, the soft sound of chomping filling the silence. A wry grin creeps up my face, and I snort out a laugh.

I guess it’s safe to say my life is anything but boring.

Chapter Eight

Cat

Afterdrivingaroundincircles, I find myself parked in front of the clubhouse entrance again. Sighing, I take a swig of coffee and dial Anthony Rossi’s number, vowing to figure out where the upper-level parking lot is later.

Ringing echoes through the car, and I switch the audio over to my earphones.

“Good morning, Cat,” Tony’s friendly, energetic voice greets me, and I groan internally.

“Morning, Tony. Is now a good time to talk?” I ask, lifting the cup to my mouth in an attempt to get some much-needed caffeine.

“It’s the perfect time. But before we start, I want to reiterate how sorry I am for your loss. Dottie was only my client for a few years, but she was one of my favorites.”

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