Page 62 of The Single Dads Club
Case in point.“Very cool, honey,” I reply, smiling down at my daughter.
“Are you sure?” Mom asks. “Life is short. You’re already thirty. You should really think about your future.”
I grimace. “Even if I had the time and energy, it would make me a real ...” I glance at Grier, who has put the G.I. Joe on Flapflap’s back and is wiping them around the floor while making engine noises. “A real heel if I treated dating as a way to find free childcare services. A lot of women don’t want to sign up for that stuff by dating a single dad, and I can’t blame them for being up front about it.”
Mom sighs, looking even more tired. “A lot doesn’t mean all. You’ll never know who’s out there if you don’t look.”
Drop it, Mom.“Maybe, but there’s no way I’m getting into all that right now. It’s easier to approach this as a business transaction between professionals.”
My inappropriate inner voice whispers,Not that you’d complain if things got a little unprofessional between you and Corrigan, but I quash it. There’s too much history between us, and the fact that I haven’t gotten laid in forever is highlighting the good parts while glossing over how it all ended.
Mom sighs. “All right, all right. I know when my advice isn’t wanted. I just worry sometimes, sweet pea. You and Grier are the only chicks in my nest.”
I smile at her. “I know, Mom. We love you too.” Even if she drives me nuts sometimes.
Her answering smile turns into a huge yawn. “Whew ... I’m so tired all of a sudden.”
“Go ahead and have a nap,” I say. “I’ll make Grier some lunch, and we’ll come back later.”
“There’s a nice park a few minutes from here,” Mom says, her eyes already drifting shut.
I gesture for Gail to follow us into the kitchen. As I assemble a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Grier—my appetite has quickly disappeared—I ask Gail quietly, “How is she, really?”
She presses her lips together. “Well ... let me put it this way. Today is one of her better-than-average days.” She hastens to add, “But not by much. And compared to other patients at this stage, she’s doing excellently. She doesn’t need oxygen, and her pain and nausea are being managed very well.”
I let out a deep sigh as I hand Grier her plate. “I guess that’s all we can really hope for.”
Gail rests her hand on my shoulder briefly. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you. But having her family around is already doing her so much good.”
“Thank you,” I reply, not knowing what else to say.
She leaves to go watch over Mom. While Grier eats, I pull out my phone to find the park Mom was talking about.
• • •
“Higher Daddy!” Grier yells between giggles.
I give her another push on the swing, making her kick her feet at the deep blue sky and shriek with excitement. Mom was right—this park is nice. Its playground is huge, clean, and features enough equipment to tire out even my little ball of energy.
There are other kids around for her to play with, but not so many that it’s too crowded. Nearby, a group of people are doing Pilates on the grass, and every so often, a jogger or dog walker goes by. I can easily imagine us picnicking under the towering oak trees this summer, crunching through autumn leaves and sledding down the gently rolling hills in winter.
Well, maybe not so much that last one. I chuckle to myself.Gotta remember we’re much farther south now.
After a few more minutes on the swings, Grier finally demands, “Done now. Upsies.”
I lift her out of the seat and set her down. She toddles off to the sandbox to begin digging a hole with laser focus.
I sit down on the nearest bench and enjoy the sun, letting my eyes close for a moment. That is, until I hear a voice that itches at my brain with a familiarity I’d never forget.
The woman who’s just passed us with an exercise mat rolled up under her arm doesn’t just sound achingly familiar, she looks it too. The dark blond hair from my memories and the body from my dreams. She’s almost the spitting image of ...
I jump to my feet. “Corrigan?”
She freezes, then slowly turns around.
I’m not just imagining this. Itisher.
Andholy shit, little Cori’s all grown up.
