When I get home, my munchkin is coloring on the couch with Cadence. I’m hoping Abby’s home. Her car is here, but sometimes Paige picks her up.
Hazel leaps off the couch and wraps her arms around my leg. “Daddy!” This right here is the best part of my day. My daughter is my number one fan, and I’ll never take that for granted. Everything I do is for her. Every sacrifice, every sleepless night I’ve spent with her when she’s sick, every time I’ve rocked her to sleep, it’s all worth it when I see her bright smile.
“Hey, kiddo. Did you have a good day?” I ask as I drop my stuff and swing her into my arms.
She kisses my cheek. “Yup. I ate pasghetti and some apple stuff.”
I love that her life updates always pertain to food.
Cadence pushes off the couch. “I made a homemade apple cobbler. Would you like a bowl?”
“I’d love some, but if I eat anything before I get her bathed, I’ll crash face first on the couch.” Her shoulders slump. Damn. I don’t mean to make her feel bad. “But I’m sure it’s amazing. Looks like Hazel enjoyed it.”
This is usually where Cadence takes off, but she seems to want to say something. I put Hazel down and scruff her hair. “Can you go get your bath toys from your bedroom? You can play with three tonight.” If I don’t give her a limit, I’ll find five thousand toys sitting in the tub when I get in there.
“Okay!”
I smile as she stomps down the hall, passing Abby, who wanders into the kitchen wearing her cute little pajamas. Her hair’s up in that messy bun I love. Her glasses are perched on her nose. Fuck, she’s adorable.
When she sees me, I get another luminous smile. “Hey, roomie,” she calls out.
It’s crazy that we live together, and I’ve barely seen her in the last few days. I’ve been living off memories of that hot-as-hell blow job she gave me in the library. It’s like she sucked the soul out of my body, and I still haven’t recovered. We’ve been texting, but that’s just building the anticipation for the next time I can get her alone.
Knowing that Cadence can’t see my face, I wink at Abby before I turn back to Cadence, who looks nervous for some reason.
“Nick, hey, I was wondering…” Her hands flex, and I’m immediately on guard. I hope she doesn’t quit. I feel like we’ve just gotten into a good routine. She lowers her voice. “I hope this isn’t too forward, but I was wondering if you’d like to do something together this weekend. Maybe after your game?”
Fuck, no.
Cadence is a beautiful woman, no doubt, but I’m not interested.
From the corner of my eye, I see Abby freeze in the kitchen before she darts back down the hall. Thankfully, Hazel is in my room right now.
I try to keep my face expressionless. “Thanks for the invite, but I’m sorta seeing someone.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. This is awkward.”
“Not at all.” It’s totally awkward, but the woman works for me, and I need her to stay on because Hazel likes her. “We’re cool.”
I’m tense as she runs around the living room gathering her things. Finally, she leaves, and I blow out a breath.
I check on my daughter, who has all of her toys splayed across my bedroom. “Which ones should I play with?” she asks.
“I don’t know, honey. Maybe pick the dinosaurs tonight.”
“Nah. I want the mewmaids.”
“Or pick the mermaids. Give me two minutes. I need to ask Abby a question about her schedule.”
She doesn’t bother looking up, which means she’s debating which mermaids to pick, and that could take a while since she has several. I head into the hallway and knock on Abby’s door.
“Come in.”
I poke my head in. Abby has a blank expression on her face. After I close the door behind me, I take her in my arms. “I told Cadence I was seeing someone. Didn’t say it was you because I wasn’t sure if that would make things weird, but she got the message.”
Her eyes soften. “Really?”
“Yes.”
