Page 68 of DadBod

Shelooks yummy. Even tired, she’s beautiful in the morning. I think I could get used to seeing Elizabeth first thing in the morning.

“You eat. I’ll go get Calvin moving.”

“What about Ryann?” she says, popping a strawberry into her mouth.

My dick can’t take it.

“We’ll be back before she even wakes up.”

Elizabeth arches her pretty brow.

Fine.“I’ll leave a note. She’ll be okay here for a little while.”

* * *

The DMV isbusy for a Monday morning. It seems like we’ve been here for hours. The minute we walked in the door, I took a number out of a box on the wall. We were instructed to take a seat until our number is called.

“Dad,” my son whines. “How much longer?”

“Yeah,” Elizabeth whines too. “How much longer?”

The pair looks at each other and laughs.

“Soon. And stop asking. It’s getting annoying.” That’s no joke. Between the two of them, I’d wager they’ve asked that same question twenty times.

“Number six eight four.”

I stand. “That’s us.”

“Finally,” Calvin sighs.

“Are you ready to take the exam, Ms. Duncan?” the woman behind the counter asks.

“Exam?” Elizabeth’s head slowly turns until our eyes meet. Returning her attention back to the woman, she shakes her head. “No. I didn’t realize I’d need to take a test.”

I knew but I intentionally left the exam discussion out of it. She was already balking at the license thing.

“I can’t just wing that. I’ll need to study. I haven’t driven in several years.”

Holding up the hard copy of the Illinois driver’s manual, I hand it to her. “Here’s the manual.”

“Great.” She’s not pleased.

“You’ll need to make an appointment to take the test,” the DMV clerk mutters, letting us know our time here is over.

“We’ll come back on Friday.” Pushing open the door from the hectic DMV, I hold it for Elizabeth and Cal.

“Is this really necessary?” She’s not letting this go.

“Yes.”

“Fine.” She shoves the book into her purse as she stomps to the car. Under her breath she adds, “Like I need one more thing to do.”

I ignore her comment. I’m used to the sassy side of Elizabeth. In an attempt to help improve her mood and mine, I press the key fob to unlock the doors and ask, “Do you like the car?” I drove us here in the new-to-us Subaru Outback.

Once we’re all in, buckled up, she runs her hand over the dash. “It’s nice.” She touches a button on the dash. “It’s even got heated seats?”

“They’re nice to have during Chicago winters.”

“I’ll use that all the time. My back always hurts.”

“Oh?” I’m tempted to offer her a back rub, but that’d be too much for me to take. Touching her would end my ability to keep my feelings to myself.

“Right.” Putting the car into drive, I press the gas. “We’d better get home before Ryann runs off with someone from the circus.”

“That’s not funny,” Calvin murmurs from the backseat.

“I know.”

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