I moved closer, grabbing the door handle and forcing a smile that was obviously not genuine. “Thanks for the helpful tips. See you around, Charles.”
I slammed the door as he turned to walk toward the main house, and I heard him chuckling.
I popped the pizza roll in my mouth and glanced out the window to see him walk across the yard.
He was tall and ridiculously good looking in that rugged, muscly, manly sort of way.
Which irritates me.
I made my way to the small bedroom and quickly changed for work. Luckily, I’d already done my hair and makeup, and I hurried into my closet and grabbed my boots, as it was still cold outside.
My phone rang, and I saw my best friend Montana’s name light up the screen.
“Hey, Monny.”
“We have a meeting in twenty minutes,” she said. “Where are you?”
“I know. I’m leaving now. I had a small smoke detector issue, and a run-in with my grumpy landlord.”
Loud laughter sounded from the other side of the phone, and I put her on speaker as I slipped into my favorite camel-colored dress coat.
“I don’t think a man offering you a free place to live is really a landlord.” She chuckled. “I just pulled in your driveway. You can hop in, and we’ll head to the meeting together.”
“Great. I hate driving in the snow.”
“I know you do. You need a car with snow tires. But this way we can go together.”
“Perfect.” I grabbed my cream beanie, pulled it over my head, stepped outside, and ended the call as I hurried into her car. “We just need to stop by my house after the meeting, on our way to the office. My grumpy contractor, who also happens to be my grumpy landlord, said the new tile arrived, and I just want to check it before they move forward.”
“You sure are getting your fill of Charlie lately.” She smirked.
“I sure am.”
And I was equal parts annoyed and entertained.
Maybe slightly more entertained than annoyed, depending on the day.
Chapter Two
Charlie
“Daddy, why do you have hair in your nose?” Harper’s voice woke me from sleep, and I peeked one eye open as I stretched my arms over my head. I glanced at my watch to see that it was barely six o’clock in the morning.
“Why are you up so early, Harps? I thought we agreed that we’d stay in bed a little later on Saturday mornings?”
“We did,” she said, climbing up on the bed beside me. “But then I woke up because I missed you.”
My fucking chest squeezed at her words.
This kid was pure sweetness.
“You missed me, huh?” I said, tucking her long waves behind her ear. “Is that why you decided to come look up my nose?”
She giggled. “I was going to tickle you, but then I saw some hair up there. And guess what, Daddy?”
“Tell me,” I said, pushing to sit up, my back resting against the headboard as I yawned.
“You have hairs in your ears too.” Her green eyes narrowed as she looked at me.
