Page 27 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

“Daddy,” Scarlett points to the pile of dishes and silverware on the counter. “Can you set the table?”

My lungs expand at the same time an ache hits my heart. My little girl is growing up so fast, and her mom is missing it.

Fiona would’ve loved every minute of the person Scarlett is growing up to be. She would have especially enjoyed the sass.

Grabbing the pile, I head into the dining room, letting my thoughts float back to dinner when Scarlett was in a high chair and Fiona was still here. A deep ache stabs me. I feel a nudge against the top of my thigh and look down to find deep brown eyes staring back at me. Warmth surprisingly fills my chest.

“Hey, girl,” I whisper to Emmy, running my hand over her head. I don’t think I’ve noticed before how soft she is. “I’m okay. Just remembering some days gone by.”

She lets out a couple of barks before running to pick up and squeak one of her many toys that I didn’t pick up, scattered around the room. This one looks and sounds like a pig. I huff out a chuckle and get back to setting the table.

“Soooo,” Duncan’s teasing tone fills the room as he walks into the dining room. A tightness gripping my shoulder blades. “Tea Time, huh?”

“It’s all your fault,” I grumble. “If you and Ava weren’t a thing, I’d still be off the grid living my quiet, boring, baseball life.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. So who’s the ‘mystery woman’?” He asks, placing the two serving plates in the middle of the table.

“She’s just someone I work with,” I mumble. “Who also happens to be our old next-door neighbor.”

“Neighbor?” Duncan’s eyes narrow, and his head tilts before his brows shoot up. “Waiiiiiiiitt! I think I remember her.”

Pretending that what he’s saying isn’t causing my heart to gallop around my body, I continue to set the table. Oinks echo in the background.

“That’s her,” I say, trying to act nonchalant. “Cat Bailey.”

“Didn’t you have the biggest crush on her?” My cheeks heat, and Duncan gives me one of his rare toothy grins. “Oh wow! Ava is going to love this bit of the story even more.”

My heart sinks to my stomach, and a wave of nausea washes over me. A hand firmly grips my shoulder.

“You deserve to be happy.” Duncan says, firmly meeting my gaze. “Fiona would want you to find someone to share your life with.”

I stiffly nod, having trouble reconciling the guilt mixed with the longing.

“She would also love the symbolism of it all.” His lip lifts at the corner. “Scarlett, please take that toy from Emmy and come to the table.”

“Be right there,” Scarlett yells from the kitchen. “I’m getting Emmy’s dinner ready.”

Emmy drops the toy and darts toward the kitchen.

Wide-eyed, I glance at Duncan, who is shaking his head. “Is it just me—”

“Or does that dog understand English?” I nod. “It’s not just you.” Duncan snickers, taking a seat at the table.

Heading back to the kitchen, I pull a pitcher of iced tea out of the fridge and grab a few glasses from the cabinet.

Scarlett’s radiant smile sends a shot of warmth straight to my heart. She looks more like Fiona every day.

“I’ll take that, Daddy.” She holds out her hands, waiting for the pitcher of iced tea.

Handing it over to her, a lopsided grin crosses my face. “Thank you.”

For a moment, a flash of the woman my daughter is on her way to becoming flits across my mind, and I’m overcome with love. At almost that exact moment, a tan blur runs past me and takes her place under the table.

A wry grin lifts my mouth. I’m certain Scarlett is sneaking Emmy some of her dinner despite my stern warnings.

Shaking my head, I grab the glasses and head to the table.

“Daddy, when are we going to see Cat again? Emmy misses her.” I feel Duncan’s gaze on me but don’t dare look up to the gleam that’s sure to be there.

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