Page 84 of Returning Your Love
I hadn’t meant to complain about the work Dad had helped me find, but those first couple of weeks had been pretty shitty, I’d missed his cooking, and I was lonely as hell. “Not really?” My reply sounded more like a question than statement.
“Not a good fit, or is something else making you uncomfortable?”
“Nothing bad, just…I haven’t decided yet if this is what I want long term. A desk job is too…”
“Restrictive? Boring as hell?”
“Nailed it,” I said with a huff of laughter.
“You always did have trouble sitting still. There’s always the police academy,” Dad suggested what I’d talked about a lot as a little kid. “You love ride alongs, and I finally got the approval to hire another officer in Pippen Creek.”
“You know I can’t return again, Dad.”
“What if your being here is exactly what Chaz needs? Seeing you all the time, reminding him he’s missing out?”
“Last month you suggested the opposite.” I reminded him of his push for me to move on.
“A man can’t be wrong?”
An unhappy laugh barked rumbled my chest. “Are you playing matchmaker to make up for it?”
“Just trying to help my son find his way back to where I believe he belongs.”
My sad smile faded. “You really think that?”
“There’s a missing puzzle piece in Pippen Creek, a corner one if you ask me, and your face is on it.”
I huffed a snort. “You just miss having someone praising your cooking abilities.”
“Are you calling me out?” I could hear the smile in Dad’s voice.
“Damned right, I am.”
“I also miss having someone to take care of,” Dad admitted, longing in his voice.
“There’s dating apps for that,” I suggested because I expected he didn’t mean me.
Dad snorted. “Tried that—not interested. Too many whiney brats looking for a daddy with a heavy hand. That’s not my thing.”
“Ugh.” I grimaced. “Dad. Seriously? I did not need that image in my head.”
“Hey, you’re the one who brought it up.”
A smile actually lifted my lips. “So…you’re considering a guy this time?”
“If I can find one willing to let me love them the way I want to without any drama or bullshit.”
My lips flatlined at realizing my dad was a lonely as I was. “There’salwaysdrama. Gender doesn’t matter. Trust me.”
“That’s what Dex says too,” Dad said with a sigh. “Maybe I should lower my standards.”
“Nope,” I shot before his brain got focused on that path. “You’re one of the best men I know. Don’t lower shit so you have someone to stick your dick into.”
“Jamie!” Dad’s admonishment suggested his face had turned red.
I chuckled. “Just keeping it real, Dad.”
“Shit,” he muttered.
