Page 53 of The Single Dad Project

“Just from the amount of time I’ve spent around Jussy, sheisa happy, upbeat little girl. You’ve done a remarkable job with her. But it’s tough for a five-year-old to understand what most adults don’t.”

“Yeah, I get that.” He nodded. “It’s just...” He didn’t finish the thought, trailing off and shaking his head. “Never mind.”

“You said,more than anyoneyou could relate to what Justine is going through.” She paused, fearing she was treading where she had no right. But curiosity and an inexplicable desire to know everything about this man propelled her. “Did you lose a parent, too?”

A heartbeat of silence passed, and she almost rescinded her question, almost told him to forget answering. But then he nodded, rubbing a hand over his bearded jaw.

“My parents separated when I was seven, and I haven’t seen my mother since. I guess I should be thankful that Jennifer at least calls Jussy. Because I didn’t get even that.”

Unable to stop herself, Flo scooted closer to him, laying a hand on his hard thigh. Muscles flexed beneath her palm, almost distracting her. Almost.

“I’m sorry, Adam.”

He flicked a hand, as if brushing away her sentiment. “It was a long time ago.”

Right. Her mother had died decades ago, and her first father figure had walked away from her not long after that. And yet, she still bore the scars. Would Adam really be any different? From his reaction, she didn’t think so.

“So your father raised you by himself?”

He snorted, picking up his bottle of water and taking a long sip.

“Well, he provided food and shelter. But much more than that is debatable.” He loosed a low, dry laugh, twisting the cap of the bottle back on. “I learned a lot about fatherhood from him. Mostly whatnotto do with my own child. Having Jussy, being her parent... It’s like redemption.”

Flo tilted her head, studied him. “Redemption implies being absolved of a wrong, a sin. And I thought we just agreed you couldn’t possibly be at fault for something that happened to you as a child.”

A rueful smile twisted his mouth. “Right. We did agree on that.” He sighed, the smile growing tight. “Anyway, how did Jussy do today?”

A part of her was tempted to refuse the switch in subject. But a bigger, admittedly more cowardly part of her decided to let him have it. Because she still felt a little raw from the night he showed up at her apartment, when she’d been at her most vulnerable. He’d witnessed a side of her she allowed very few to see... She couldn’t give him more.Moreterrified her.

“She did great. I enjoy hanging with her.” A warmth unfurled inside her, easing the tension that had crept in. “And it’s fun watching her excitement over taking pictures. I love photography—it’s my passion—but it’s also my job. Seeing it through her eyes reminds me of my own joy when I first discovered it.” She huffed out a laugh. “Even the pictures with my finger in them were amazing.”

His low chuckle joined hers. “I’m pretty sure there are going to be plenty of those.”

“Oh, most definitely.” Twisting the water bottle back and forth between her palms, she glanced toward the bench where Justine still sat, sipping on her juice box. “Have you heard anything else from Angela?”

His irritated sigh punctuated the air between them.

“No, nothing. I’m guessing she’s too busy celebrating her elopement.” He frowned. “I placed a call to my real estate agent who originally recommended Angela to see if she knows anyone else, but no luck so far.”

Even as she silently warned herself against getting any further involved with Adam and his daughter, Flo heard herself saying, “I don’t mind keeping her with me.”

Huge. Ass. Sigh.

But she didn’t take the offer back. The sense of...rightness settling in her chest informed her it was the right thing to do.

And if she was honest with herself, she wanted to do it.

Adam’s frown deepened. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking me. I’m offering.” The more she talked, the more certain she became. “She can hang with me while I work. If you don’t mind her going to the studio with me for the appointments I have, then she can come and be my assistant. I can bring her back here to meet you or I can take her to your house and wait for you there, whichever is easiest for you.” When he remained silent, his eyebrows still drawn down in a vee, she settled a hand over his knee. “Honestly, Adam. I don’t mind. She won’t be a bother.”

After a long moment, he gave a slow nod.

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am.” Realizing she still cupped his knee, and his skin seemed to warm hers through his jeans, she jerked her arm back, pressing her hand to the cool water bottle. Not that it did anything to relieve or erase the imprint of him on her palm. She felt branded. “I have another couple of hours here, then I have to run by the studio and set up for a shoot first thing in the morning. After that I’ll take Justine to the pharmacy and get her pictures developed. Would you prefer I drop her off here or bring her home?”

“Home.” Standing, he slid a hand into his pocket, emerging a second later with a key ring. He wrestled a silver one off and handed it to her. “I’ll have one made for you, but could you take her home? I’ll bring pizza.”

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