Page 6 of Silver Fox Single Dad

“Where’s Tony?” I asked, pulling out her chair for her.

“In the bag. I want him to be safe as we travel there.”

“Very smart, honey. How did I get to have such a smart girl, huh?” I kissed her on the cheek, and she giggled.

“I think because you are a scientist, and Mommy is a big name in advertising.”

Camilla said it matter-of-factly, even though she hadn’t seen her mother in about a year and a half. Melissa was not around anymore, but when Camilla asked questions, I told her what she wanted to know.

“That’s right. Maybe you’ll grow up to be a scientist one day, too,” I said, sitting down across from her and watching as she put a little sugar and milk into her bowl.

“That’s what I want, Daddy. I want to go to the same school as you and learn everything you learned.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that, and after we ate, I pulled her dirty blonde hair back into a ponytail.

“All ready.”

In the car on the way over, Camilla recited her memorized periodic table, singing the song for me.

“You’ll have to show some of the other scientists that today at the lab, Sweetie.”

Then, an idea struck me. A perfectly brilliant, wonderful idea. An idea that would help me keep Cassie Williams in line. There was a chance she’d quit after I did it, but I doubted it. HIV research lab jobs were hard to come by, and this lab was one of the finest in the country. She wouldn’t dare let the opportunity go, especially when so many people around her had been fired already.

“I will, Daddy. I want all the scientists to know that I like science too.”

“Oh, they’ll know, for sure. Once they hear that.”

I parked the car and grabbed Camilla’s hand as we walked to the lab entrance. She skipped next to me, talking nonstop about what she wanted to do and see, and I realized it was all worth it. The pain in the ass the lab was becoming was worth it because Camilla was so happy.

“Here we go, Cam,” I said as the security guard opened the door and greeted me.

“Wow,” she said, looking up at the white walls and bright windows. “This is big.”

“Super big. Lots of room for big minds.”

We moved through the metal detector, and then my phone binged. I pulled it out and saw a calendar reminder for a big business call that morning. I smirked. Guess I was about to put my “keep Cassie Williams in line” plan in motion sooner than I thought.

“Hey honey, I’m going to introduce you to one of my scientists right now. You’re going to hang out with her while I make a call, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy.” She kept on skipping beside me as we walked to Cassie’s lab.

The perfect plan. I don’t have to fire her. I can just make her life miserable instead, and then maybe she’ll think twice before being a smartass with me.

I didn’t knock; I just popped in, and the few scientists there looked up from their work. I spotted Cassie right in the middle, sitting on a high stool, protective glasses on her eyes as she looked up from her slides. Even through the thick glasses, I saw those eyes again. Man, they hit me every time.

Trying to keep the smug and satisfied smirk off my face, I said, “Cassie, this is my daughter Camilla.” I touched Camilla’s shoulder, and Cassie looked at me like I had three heads. I knew she was steaming inside, once I used her first name, and I patted my daughter. “She adores science, and I thought she’d enjoy a look at the lab.” Cassie looked down at Camilla who waved at her. “So, Cassie, I’ve got a work call, so I’d like you to watch my daughter for about a half hour. I’ll be back around to pick her up.”

Cassie’s mouth fell open then, and it took all I had not to start laughing. Really, this was brilliant. The other scientists looked surprised as well.

I tapped my phone. “Well, I’ve got to get to it. Good luck. Have fun, honey,” I said to Camilla, patting her on the shoulder. “Oh, and Cassie, be sure to get her all hooked up with the right protective gear. I know I can trust you.”

Then, I smiled, locking eyes with her while she gave me a death stare. “See you guys later. I’ll be back soon.”

“Bye, Daddy,” Camilla said, waving to me as I backed away and out of the room.

When the door shut, I started to chuckle. The face on Cassie was priceless.

“I bet she’s raging inside. This is my best plan yet.”

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