Page 50 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

But before I can even get that first tender kiss, I hear a familiar cry. “Daaaaaddy…”

I snap out of my hazy, Amy-filled hypnosis and see Jessica standing in the yard looking for me, her whole body droopy. “Jess! Over here!” I wave to get her attention.

Jessica zeroes in on me and toddles over in our direction.

To my disappointment, Amy steps away from me to make room for the other woman in my life.

“Daddy, I’m tired,” Jessica mumbles, reaching her arms up for me.

“You are? But we just got here, sweet pea,” I say, trying to veil my disappointment as I lift her up into my arms. “Don’t you want to stay a bit longer and celebrate Amy’s big day with her?”

Jessica shakes her head, letting it rest against my clavicle with a thud.

I rub her back. “We haven’t even had cake yet…” I’m not usually the type to push her past her limits. Jessica’s wellbeing comes first always. However, Amy and I were just about to cross an important threshold and I don’t want to abandon her just yet.

“It’s okay,” Amy murmurs and touches my arm. She looks at Jessica lovingly. “I’ll save some just for you.”

Jessica reaches her hand out to Amy. “Promise?”

Amy takes it and kisses the back of it. “Promise.”

I sigh. “Sorry, Amy, I –”

“Really, Hunter, it’s okay. I promise, it’s alright.”

I’m devastated when her hand slides down my arm and she steps away. “I’ll see you. Soon.”

My lips burn with want for her. Come back. Kiss me goodbye. “As soon as possible.”

Amy smiles, nods, and then walks away.

Being a parent has many inconveniences. And while I’d never blame Jessica for her needs as a little one trying to navigate this big world, it’s hard not to feel miserable as I walk through the gate, leaving behind the loud Solace yard for the quiet of mine.

Just me and Jessica. That’s how it’s been for almost three whole years.

However, it won’t be that forever. Not anymore. Not now that Amy is in our lives.

One day, we’ll walk into the quiet of my home together, tuck Jessica into bed, and retire to our bed where we will worship one another until the end of time.

I just know it.

15

AMY

The paper plate bends under the weight of the rich, frosting filled cake as I walk through the darkened yard.

It’s much past midnight already. But I couldn’t sleep.

Since the moment he left the party, the only thing on my mind has been Hunter.

I arrive at the gate and stare at it. This seems like the hardest part, walking through this godforsaken gate. I still don’t know why my anxiety trembles when I look at it or why my heart pulses with the fierceness of a wild horse. However, I have to face it.

Because on the other side…is my future.

My destiny.

I gently press the latch and push the gate open. Hunter’s yard is equally dark, but his pool is closer to the house and lights up the siding.

---