Page 70 of The Single Dad Project

“Okay, Adam.” She paused. “Good night.”

“Good night, Flo.”

She moved away from him, and though he told himself not to give in, he couldn’t stop from lifting his head and watching her descend the porch steps and stride down the walkway to her car. Couldn’t prevent himself from visually tracing the slim, proud line of her back.

He waited until she climbed into her car and drove away. And only then did he return inside his house.

Alone.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“IFIWASN’Tsuch a Broadway and pizza whore, I might actually consider moving to Rose Bend.” Mira shook her head, her large cup of lemonade in her hand.

With wide eyes, she surveyed The Glen where barrel grills, wooden tables, bouncy castles and an assortment of games now occupied the wide meadow at the end of Main Street. The town council and an army of volunteers had transformed the field into a huge picnic area, complete with fairy lights, balloons and music. A festive atmosphere claimed the place, and the bright chatter and laughter from the thick crowds of Rose Bend’s residents only added to it. Their town didn’t really need a reason to throw a party or festival, so celebrating theVintage Renovationcrew? They were in their element.

As the producer of the TV show was discovering, Flo mused with a smile.

“We have pizza here, you know,” Flo pointed out with an arched eyebrow.

Mira snorted. “Stop playing. There’s nothing that compares torealNew York pizza. And as charming and amazing as this town and the people are, I can’t give that up.”

“OrHamilton,” Flo added.

“OrHamilton,” Mira agreed. “But I hope you realize and appreciate how blessed you are having a community like this. I’ve traveled all over the country, and out of it, but there’s something special about your hometown. And it’s not just the coffee or the addictive donuts in that café.” She rolled her eyes and groaned, hugging her lemonade tight to her chest as if she could taste the baked goods offered at Mimi’s Café even now. “If anything had a chance of persuading me to give up New York pizza, it would be those donuts.”

Flo laughed. “We’ve heard that before. We’re all a little convinced the DEA might have some interest in what she puts in them.”

“Ain’t that the truth!” Mira grinned, then turning, appraised the packed meadow once more. “Thanks for all of this. I can honestly say out of all the places we’ve visited, not one has ever thrown a picnic in our honor. All of us really appreciate the effort.”

“I can only imagine it’s tough being away from home for months at a time,” Flo said.

As thrilling and exciting as leaving on the occasional trip was for her, she wouldn’t want to be away from her family for weeks on end. She would miss them like an amputated limb. They were that much a part of her.

Mira shrugged. “Sometimes I just miss being on familiar territory and in my own space, you know? My parents live in Florida now—they definitely don’t miss the New York winters—and I don’t have children, which is my own choice, and I don’t regret it. I love what I do. I haven’t met a man or woman yet that can compete with the satisfaction of seeing a project come together.” She grinned. “But I’m always willing to give that person a try, to see if they can.”

Chuckling, Flo nodded. “Amen to that.”

Mira raised her cup of lemonade, sipping while eyeing Flo over the rim. Yeah, she didn’t like the speculative gleam in the other woman’s gaze. And Flo fought not to fidget.

“What?” she asked, unable to contain the question any longer.

A corner of Mira’s mouth quirked. “Nothing,” she said, tone nonchalant as she took another sip. Then the producer squinted at her. “I just could’ve sworn that maybe you did find that person in the form of one big, broody architect.”

Well, damn.

Flo blinked. Then tried to control her face from revealing her surprise. “I, uh...” She blinked again. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Uh-huh. Okay, we’ll go with that.” Mira smirked. “If that’s the story you want to go with.”

“I’m thinking it is.” Flo paused, narrowed her eyes on the producer. “What do you know?”

“Nothing, I swear.” With an unconvincing cackle, Mira held up her hands, palms out. “But God, girl. The sexual tension between you two.” She mimed hacking at the air with a knife. “Thick and delicious.”

Flo groaned, squeezing her eyes shut, while the other woman loosed another loud crack of laughter. Heat sailed up from her chest, shooting straight for her face, and it burned in mortification.

“Oh, stop that.” Mira slid an arm around Flo’s shoulders, giving her a little shake. “I’m just teasing you. Not about the sexual tension,” she added. “It’s hot. But what’s the problem? There are worse things in life than being attracted to a gorgeous, intense man like Adam Reed. And having him lusting after you.”

“First, it’s unprofessional as hell—” Flo began, only to be cut off when Mira scoffed, flicking her fingers.

---