“Becca sleeping?” she asked when she answered.
“She is. It’s been nonstop since I’ve been home.”
“Ahhh, bath night,” Alana said. There was humor in her voice. She knew the routine now in the month they’d been dating. He counted that first night she was here babysitting because they talked about themselves personally.
That had all the elements of a date.
Sort of.
Minus the fact he’d been with another woman for dinner.
Yeah, he was a dick thinking that.
Time together didn’t matter when it came to what he was feeling for Alana.
He knew beyond a doubt he was falling in love with her and was terrified that this situation on Saturday was going to trigger something for her with her ex.
It was the last thing he wanted to happen.
“So,” he said. “I’ve got something to share and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it, but I wouldn’t hide it either.”
“Oh no,” she said. “That doesn’t sound good. Are you and Becca okay?”
She immediately went to that. Yeah, completely selfless. Maybe worrying about his daughter getting attached was premature.
“We’re fine. Becca put me on the spot to have a friend over on Saturday for a few hours before her nap.”
“That sounds like fun,” she said.
“Yeah, fun. Maybe it would be if it wasn’t Polly.”
“What’s wrong with Polly? Does she turn green and grow large muscles when she’s too excited?”
He laughed. “I wish that was all it was. Polly’s mother is Celia. Celia will be here with her daughter for the play date. I thought for sure that wouldn’t happen, but guess I didn’t communicate it well and it’s the first time Polly is here, so I can understand a parent not wanting to leave their child alone.”
Though he knew damn well that wasn’t why Celia was staying.
“And you wanted me to know there was another woman in the house. That’s sweet and considerate. Thanks for telling me.”
She was taking it well or didn’t recognize the name.
He cleared his throat. “Celia is the person I went on a date with when you first babysat for me.” There was silence on the other line. “Are you there, Alana?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Just processing. Did you tell her you were dating me?”
“No,” he said. “And I realize now I could have avoided all of this if I had done that and was going to bring it up tomorrow when I get Becca from daycare but then realized that Becca is going to my mom’s in the morning.”
He could change plans, but he didn’t always see Celia either so there was no guarantee they’d run into each other.
“You sound uncomfortable about this,” she said.
“I am. The last thing I want you to think is that I’m cheating on you or interested in anyone else. You’d think that Celia would have gotten the hint by now, but the way she was looking me over almost terrified me.”
“Some women don’t give up unless you’re clear with them,” she said.
“I will be on Saturday. I promise. But I’ve got a favor to ask.”
“You want me to come over on Saturday to make sure it’s double clear, right?”
