Page 40 of DadBod

Six days ago.

“At school?” Rome asks that one.

“Yep.” Calvin lifts his fork for another bite. “At lunch.”

“Did the tooth fairy come?” I’m guessing not, since Rome had no idea. I shouldn’t have asked, honestly, but that’s the question you’re supposed to ask a kid who just lost a tooth. Right?

“Not yet. My tooth is still under my pillow.”

Thinking fast, I glance at Rome, who’s got a frown on his face, the likes I’ve never seen. Is he mad at me? “Well, I heard there’s been a ton of kids losing their teeth lately. I bet she’s just behind schedule.”

“Yeah?” he asks brightly.

“Oh, yeah. I remember one time when I was about your age, I lost a tooth, and it took two weeks for her to visit.”

“Were you worried she wasn’t going to come?”

“Nah. My mom told me she always comes; she’s just got a lot of people to visit.” I pat his arm. “Be patient. She’ll get here.”

“I know.” He nods. “She always came the same day when I lived in California.”

“Well, she’s from California. She’s always going to get those kiddos first.”

“Makes sense.” Calvin shrugs and takes another huge bite. So big, I’m afraid he may choke.

“Smaller bites, little man,” Rome says softly. When I look up at him, his face is no longer angry. Instead, he mouths, “Thank you.” I merely nod, glad I could help.

Once Calvin finishes his breakfast, he runs off to do what a kid does on Saturday mornings. He heads downstairs to the family room to watch TV and play video games. Sounds fun.

When it’s just the two of us, the room is quiet. Rome, especially. He looks me in the eye and says, “You’re a natural.”

“With kids?” I smile at the compliment. “I love kids.”

“I can see that.” He picks up the pan he was using and turns to the sink, but before he gets two steps away, he looks back over his shoulder and adds, “Thank you for that. I’ll be sure the tooth fairy makes a stop tonight.”

“Oh? You’ve got connections with TF?” I smirk.

“I do. She and I used to date back in high school.”

“Wow, you like older women?” Oh, crap. Why did I go there?

“What’s age but a number?”

“True.”

“You sure I can’t talk you into a crespelle?”

I’d absolutely love one, but I can’t stomach anything this morning. Still too nervous. “No, thank you.”

Rome has begun cleaning up the kitchen. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, and I’ve got to say, he looks super-hot that way. His forearms are––Shit. What am I doing? I have to stop looking at Rome like he’s a, well, a man. Sure, he’s gorgeous, but he’s my boss. Times two.

“Do you think Ryann’s ever––?”

Rome stops me from finishing the sentence with “She’ll get over it. She’s just being a petulant teenager.”

“She’s got a point.”

“She’s snuck out of the house twice while I’ve been at work, Elizabeth. She can’t be trusted to look after Calvin when she’s doing that kind of shit.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. I should probably pay you more money, because dealing with her”—he points to the stairs—“is going to be a nightmare.”

“Maybe…” I glance at the stairs too. “What do you want me to do if she runs off on my watch?”

“Call me.”

“Right. Got it.” But do I? Do I really?

Not in the least.

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