Page 50 of The Single Dad Project

“Jussy, how cool you get to spend the day at your daddy’s job,” Flo said, smiling down at the five-year-old. “I guess that officially makes you a big girl.”

“I am.” The bout of shyness gone, Justine puffed out her small chest. “Ms. Angela flaked on me, so I’m here.”

Uh-oh.

“Justine,” Adam called her name, the warning unmistakable.

“That’s what you said, Daddy.” She tilted her head back, nose wrinkled. “You said she—”

Flo moved forward, hopefully cutting off what was sure to be more of her father’s opinion on the absentee Angela.

“Hey, Jussy. What do you think about hanging with me today while I take pictures? I even have a camera for you, and you can show your dad all your pictures when he’s finished working,” Flo suggested, glancing up at Adam.

Technically, she should’ve asked him for permission first, to watch Justine. There was a difference between letting Flo eat dinner with them at a diner and letting her babysit his daughter by herself, even if he would be near.

But to be honest, she hadn’t expected the proposition to fly out of her mouth. The same surprise that flickered through his golden eyes shimmered inside her. But now that the offer sat between them, waiting to be accepted or rejected, she hoped he said yes. And not just because she liked Justine and hanging with her would be like spending the day with her younger nieces and nephews.

But also because... Well, she wanted to help him.

As he’d shown up for her last night.

Except she wouldn’t be kissing the ever loving hell out of him in front of God and television crew.

Staring into his eyes, she almost lifted her fingertips to her lips as if she could still feel the hungry and insistent molding of his mouth over hers. With a will constructed of scotch tape and tissue paper, she managed to keep her arm by her side, but a slight narrowing of his eyes had her wondering if the same thoughts of that incendiary kiss filtered through his mind, too.

Why did you kiss me? Did you mean to take my mouth like you’ve been starved for me? Why did you come back and hold me...offer to stay?

The questions flew through her mind at warp speed.

Nope. Nopenopenope. Not going there. Anything having to do with Adam’s body parts meeting—or being inside of—hers was off-limits.

“Yay!” Justine bounced on her feet, practically vibrating with excitement, and Flo smiled at her enthusiasm. “Daddy, can I play with Flo today?Please?”

“Are you sure?” Adam quietly asked, and Flo nodded. Relief eased some of the stiffness from his expression, and he exhaled a low breath. “Thank you, Flo.” Looking down at his daughter, he arched an eyebrow. “Be a good girl for Flo, okay? And listen to everything she says.”

“Okay, Daddy!” Justine boomed, back to bouncing and throwing in a wiggle. God, she was cute. Flo smothered a snicker and held her hand out to Justine. Immediately, she released her father and clasped onto Flo. “I can still take pictures?” she asked.

“You sure can,” Flo assured her. “You can be my assistant today. How’s that sound?”

“Daddy,” Justine excitedly called out to her father as if he wasn’t standing right there. “I’m going to be Flo’s ’stant.”

“I heard, baby girl.”

Mira laughed. “Welcome to the crew, Justine.” Giving them a wave, she climbed the porch steps and disappeared inside the house.

“Come on, Jussy. I have a camera just for you in my car. We’ll go get it and start our workday.”

With the child’s hand still clasped in hers, Flo started for the curb and succession of parked cars.

“Flo.” Her name in Adam’s deep rumble of a voice halted her midstep.

And before she turned around, she schooled her features so he couldn’t see the effect it had on her. His gaze roamed over her face, and though it made her sound like a heroine in those romance books Sinead devoured, she swore that gaze swept over her skin like a physical caress. Warm, heavy, yet gentle.

Yeah, enough of that.

“Yes?” she asked, notching her chin up.

For a moment he remained silent, but then he glanced down at Justine.

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