Page 77 of The Single Dads Club
She offers Grier her hand, and Grier latches on with her biggest, most heart-melting grin. Corrigan flashes one back, then looks to me.
“Just to go over it again real quick, you’ll be back at noon, and she’s already had her breakfast, but she’ll need a midmorning snack in an hour?”
“Exactly. And this time I remembered my phone and left the car seat, so you can go out if you like.” I grab my laptop bag, and out of the corner of my eye, I catch Corrigan giving me what seems very much like a once-over. I’m too tempted not to turn and ask, “My outfit okay?”
“What?” She jerks her gaze up, her cheeks slightly pink. “Uh. Yeah, I guess it’s fine. .”
I smirk. “Good to know.” It’s just jeans and a polo. There’s clearly something about my appearance that’s distracting, but I have no idea what it could be. “Okay, see y’all soon.” I drop a kiss onto Grier’s cheek and head out.
I drive to a coworking space in town where I’ve rented a small private office. Initially, I thought about just going to a coffee shop, but I decided to try this setup first, in the hopes that cutting distractions would let me work faster and get back to focusing on Grier sooner. After I handle the fresh crop of emails that sprang up overnight and make a few necessary phone calls to my property manager, accountant, and lawyer, I settle into reviewing financial analysis reports.
Or at least, I try to. My eyes keep glazing over and my thoughts keep drifting back to home.
What will Corrigan and Grier do today?
I can’t shake the feeling that I’m in the wrong place, that I’m missing important time. And this is more than the usualI should be thereparental guilt. My restless gut—not to mention my libido—is pushing me toward Corrigan too.
I check the clock. Almost another full hour has passed, and I haven’t absorbed a damn thing, let alone started drafting my own response. I guess cutting down distractions only works when it’s not my own mind trying to betray me.
Fuck it.
I stand and begin packing up my computer and papers. I’ve checked off all the things that have to happen during business hours, so I can do the rest tonight after Grier is in bed. A little sleep deprivation won’t kill me.
When I get back home, I’m greeted with the unfairly adorable scene of Corrigan on the couch, brushing Grier’s hair, while Grier sits on the carpet between her knees, playing with Flapflap. They both turn at the sound of the door opening.
“Daddy home!” Grier looks back and forth between us, clearly torn—which I’m not totally sure how to feel about—then clambers up and runs over to hug my leg.
I shift quickly to keep her from clobbering me in the nuts, and lift her into my arms. “Hi, baby girl.”
Corrigan blinks at me, surprised. “You’re back?”
“Indeed I am.” I set Grier on the floor and ruffle her hair.
I admit, I’m a little jealous at how fast her loyalties became divided. After all, for two years it’s only been us against the world. I’m only a little jealous, though. Mostly it just takes a load off my mind to know how well she and Corrigan are getting along in such a short amount of time. And there’s that same flash of sweetness, of peace, that comes with seeing them together.
Corrigan chuckles. “Wow, I wish I could work that fast. Grading would be a snap.”
I rub my neck awkwardly. “It’s not that. I just couldn’t concentrate and decided I’d try again later. I was wondering if you ...” I don’t know how I’m going to finish that sentence, but fortunately, an idea leaps straight out of my mouth. “If you two wanted to go to the beach. I’ve not taken her yet.”
“You definitely should. She loved it before—and we barely went off the pier that time.” Corrigan stands and starts toward the door.
“You could join us.”
Her brow creases in confusion. “Oh. All three of us?”
“Do you have other plans?” I’m probably not playing fair, because of course she doesn’t have other plans. Her afternoon was supposed to be spent watching Grier.
Corrigan stays quiet for a second, not answering me. I’m not sure why, but I need her to say yes.
“Don’t worry, I’ll still pay you for your time. You already set aside your day to come over here and all.”
“Well, why not?” She pauses, frowning. “I didn’t bring a swimsuit, though.”
“Grier and I don’t have any either. Well, technically I do, somewhere in one of the boxes in my room.” I wave my hand in their general direction. I managed to shrink the disaster zone last weekend, but actually finishing unpacking will take a while yet.
I leave Grier with Corrigan while I quickly change into cargo shorts and sandals. When I head back to the living room, this time I’m definitely not imagining the way Corrigan’s gaze seems to drink me in.Interesting.
After I assemble a quick picnic lunch and load up the car with the hundred and one things a toddler needs to go on an outing, then get Grier buckled in, we’re off.
