“Yeah,” I agreed, double-checking her bag to make sure she had everything she needed. Once I was satisfied that Isla was ready to go, I found my boots and finished getting organized.
Twenty minutes later, Isla was sitting at the kitchen bench eating a muffin and chatting happily with Mrs. Neal and I was stuffing my phone in my pocket ready to make a break for it. When I heard Charlotte’s name drop from Isla’s lips, my ears perked up.
“Dad’s new friend Charlotte is going to be my new mom,” Isla told Mrs. Neal.
When Mrs. Neal and I locked eyes, I felt like I’d been caught out.
“Isla, remember we talked about this. Charlotte’s my friend but that’s all,” I reminded her, trying to ignore the questioning in Mrs. Neal’s face. She might’ve been a lovely lady who treated us like family, but she was still a nosy old woman. A juicy little bit of gossip, even something as simple as Isla’s declaration would send her off on her matchmaking ways.
“Yeah, Dad. She’s your friend and she’s going to be my mom,” Isla told me, making it sound like it was that easy.
My phone alarm sounded, and I had to get out the door. I didn't have time to argue with her. Bending down, I placed a kiss on the top of her head before letting them know I’d be home in time for dinner.
“Can we have spaghetti?” Isla asked hopefully, muffin all over her face.
“We’ll see,” I answered, grabbing my bag and heading for the door. “Have a good day and be good,” I reminded her.
“I will.” Isla huffed and rolled her eyes before turning back to her breakfast.
I made it out the door and was waiting for the elevator when Mrs. Neal appeared beside me looking like she had something on her mind.
“Did I forget something?” I asked, patting my pockets and running through the checklist in my head.
“No. No. Not at all. Just wanted to check about this Charlotte …”
I shouldn’t have been surprised. I knew she’d ask, I just didn’t think she’d chase me out the door to do it. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends? A friend that Isla knows about.”
“She overheard me on the phone.”
“She’s old enough now, Luke, that she’s going to notice things. It’s not like it was when she was younger.”
“I know,” I conceded.
“And she’s desperate for a mom.”
“I know. I’m trying …”
She put her warm hand on my arm and a calmness fell over me. “And you’re doing a great job, Luke. You really are. Isla’s happy and safe and loved. She couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“Except a mom.” It was a reality I had to face. Part of me had always known the time would come when I’d have to deal with it, I’d just wished I had longer to come up with an answer.
“Maybe this Charlotte …”
“We can barely find the time to see each other.” I sighed, running a frustrated hand through my hair.
“Tomorrow night work for you?”
“Huh?”
“Tomorrow night? I could take Isla for the night, and you could take Charlotte out on a date.”
“You’re not playing matchmaker are you, Mrs. Neal?” I called her out, her cheeks turning red. She might’ve been sweet and lovely, but she wasn’t fooling me for a second. She knew exactly which buttons to push.
“I wouldn’t dare, Luke. But why don’t you ask her anyway,” And with that she left me standing there, staring at the waiting elevator wondering how the hell I got myself into these situations.
I mightn’t have been expecting to be railroaded, but since the offer was out there, I wasn’t stupid enough to turn it down.
