“All right,” I said to myself, kicking off my boots. I heard rustling and froze, one boot off. As I looked up, I spotted Noelle sitting up on the couch, smiling like the cat who ate the canary.
She smirked. “We haven’t gotten a chance to talk alone.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?” I asked, not mad but genuinely curious what she wanted to talk about.
“How can I sleep when you have a girlfriend and we haven’t talked about it? Also, why haven’t you told me about this?” Noelle shook her head like she was deeply disappointed in me.
“I—what?” I blinked, shocked at how perceptive my kid was.
“You heard me, Dad.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “You. Have. A. Girlfriend.”
I squinted at her as I walked closer to her. “Says who?”
“Me.” She pointed at herself, all smug. “And Ms. Kenzie. And Fiona. And Jena, basically the entire town.”
Of course, they knew. I’d kissed her at the bar earlier tonight–hard, in front of half the damn town. It wasn’t the first time I’d shown her affection in public, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. So yeah, word had spread. That was fine by me. I had nothing to hide, and I was proud as hell to be with Grace. As much as I wanted to show her off, I hoped she’d be okay with the town poking around in our business.
Even though Noelle suspected we were boyfriend and girlfriend, Grace and I hadn’t had the label conversation yet. I wanted to, but I didn’t want to rush her. I was thrilled she said she wasn’t seeing anybody else, but I still wanted to properly ask her.
Small-town living was a big enough adjustment. She didn’t need to add any more changes to that, let alone a boyfriend who had a child. Noelle had to feel comfortable with the idea before I asked her to be my girlfriend.
I sighed and dropped onto the recliner. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
It was the truth. A technicality but the truth, nevertheless.
She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Oh my gosh, does she know that?”
I let my head fall back against the chair. “Noelle.”
“Dad.”
“How would you feel if I started dating?”
She let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “Well, you already are. But I think it’s great. I heard Jena saying how happy she makes you. Maybe you’ll be less haggard if you do have a girlfriend.”
My eyes narrowed. “That’s it?”
Noelle shrugged. “I know how these things work.”
I lifted a brow. “How do things work?”
“Well, for one, I know you took her on a date.” She lifted a finger. “And I know she worked at the bar and that you both give each other googly eyes like Jena and Keith. You guys aren’t going to hide things like them, are you?” she huffed and held up another finger. “And I know you’re less grumpy since meeting her.”
I stared at her. “How do you even—” I had so many questions. This kid was a detective. “I’m not grumpy.”
She grinned. “That’s what Ms. Kenzie said you’d say. Between her and Fiona, they should work for the police. Do you love her?”
I groaned, rubbing a hand down my face. “Okay, first of all, remind me to have a talk with the gossip crew. And second, we are taking things slow. I want you to know you come first.”
She snorted. “Yeah, I know that, Dad. But we need to find you a wife and me a stepmom.”
Noelle had never expressed any interest in me dating, let alone marrying somebody. Now she was talking about wanting a stepmom. I was floored with these new revelations. When she was younger, there was a time when she was curious about having a mother, but it passed. My stomach churned. Here, I was thinking I was protecting her when in actuality, I hadn’t put myself out there thinking it was what could be best for her.
“You like her, don’t you?”
I hesitated.
Noelle gasped again, this time even louder. “Oh, Dad, youdo!”
