Page 85 of The Single Dad Project

“How is Jussy doing?” Flo asked, missing her little partner in crime.

By now, ordinarily, they would be leaving the rental house, headed over to the renovation where she would take pictures along with Flo. In such a short time, Jussy had become a part of Flo’s daily routine, and not having Jussy there only served as a harsh reminder that she needed to adjust. Whether it was now with Jennifer in town or when Adam and Jussy eventually left for Chicago, Flo would be without her.

“Fine. Good,” he amended, sliding his hands into his front pants pockets. “I dropped her off at the inn to be with Jennifer today. They’re supposed to do some shopping.” He exhaled, dragging his fingers over his head. “Flo, I—”

Someone called for him from deeper in the house and a small growl rumbled out of him.

“Listen, I have to go see what’s going on upstairs, but don’t leave today without finding me, okay?”

“Sure,” she agreed, about 73 percent certain she’d follow through on that promise.

Maybe he suspected, because his eyes narrowed on her, but he finally nodded, turned and left the kitchen.

And she breathed again.

“HEY,BABYSISTER.”Cole grinned at Flo as he climbed the front walk, and Flo shook her head, returning his smile.

Setting her camera on a tripod, she met him as he neared the porch steps, and her brother pulled her into a hug, smacking a kiss on the top of her head. For a moment she closed her eyes, leaning on his familiar strength, savoring the safety and comfort in her older brother’s embrace.

“Hey, hey.” Cole leaned back, cupping her upper arms. “I just came over to check out the progress of the renovation, but it looks like you need me more than that TV crew.” He smiled, but his dark brown eyes flitted over her face as if seeking out answers she hadn’t divulged. “What’s wrong, Flo?”

A thick knot of emotion tightened around her throat, and she swallowed past it.

“Nothing. I’m good.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Sure you are. C’mon.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders, waiting until she grabbed her camera, and led her to the side of the house, away from the clatter and voices emanating from inside the Victorian. Once they stood some distance away, he removed his arm and faced her. “Now, tell me what’s wrong. You’ve known me almost all your life, and you should know by now that I’m not going anywhere until you spill. And since I have to pick up your niece from school in about, oh—” he flipped his wrist up and peered down at his watch “—one hour, you should start talking or you’ll have to face Sydney’s wrath for leaving her daughter on the curb. And nobody wants that.”

As he probably intended, she huffed out a laugh.

“No, we definitely don’t want that,” she agreed. Sydney could be feral about her kids and her husband. The wordhoney badgercame to mind.

Slipping the camera strap around her head, Flo sighed and swept her palms over her hair. Now that she thought about it, who better to talk to about how she was feeling? And not just because he was her brother, a person who loved her and would never judge her. But because he married a woman who carried her ex-husband’s baby. And they’d all found a way to coexist and co-parent in a healthy, supportive manner for Patience.

“I’m going to guess me telling you that I’m...involved with Adam Reed isn’t a surprise to you.” When his expression didn’t change, she shook her head, loosing another chuckle. Finding a new portal to Narnia would be easier than keeping a secret in the Dennison family. “He’s a single dad, and I’ve become close to his daughter, Justine.”

Cole nodded. “Yeah, Moe mentioned you were watching over her as a favor for Adam. And I saw you two together at the picnic. She seems to really like you.”

“I love her, Cole. At first, she was just the cutest and funniest kid. But soon, she captured my heart, and I...” She trailed off, clearing her throat. “Anyway, Adam and his ex-wife divorced two years ago, and for the most part, she hasn’t been present in Jussy’s daily life. But she showed up at his house yesterday morning.”

“And you were there?” Cole asked, both eyebrows arched now.

She grimaced. “Yes.”

“Whew. Awkwaaard,” he sang. When she winced again, Cole snorted. “But you don’t need me to tell you that.”

“I don’t. Now, let’s move along,” she said. “I...care for Adam—”

“Uh-huh.” Cole shook his head. “Care for him? Oh, you’re definitely my sister. The denial is strong in this family.”

Ignoring him because she was not ready to even get near that comment or the connotation behind it, she continued, “I know he’s leaving once this TV show wraps and the house is done. I have no claim on him, no rights to him, but...”

“But you would like to wrap that little girl up in your arms and yell, ‘Mine. Stay away.’”

She blinked at her brother, then she gave him a small smile, rueful. “Damn. Am I that transparent? Or pathetic? Probably both, right?”

“No.” He shrugged a shoulder and returned her smile. “None of that. I’ve just been exactly where you are, and you know that. Which is why I think you’re talking to me instead of say, Leo, who would go scorched earth that her little sister’s feelings are hurt, or Sinead, who would most likely give you her legal opinion—then offer ways around it. And of course, Wolf, who would just hug you.”

Despite the subject matter—and the guilt clawing a hole in her chest—she laughed, and the loud crack of it echoed between them. This. This was why she loved her family, cherished them.

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