“Same pick up plan as usual?” she asks, settling the backpack on her shoulder.
“Yep, I’ll be here.”
She nods, then looks down at Chloe. “Say bye to Daddy, sweetheart.”
I crouch down and Chloe crashes into me, her arms wrapping tight around my neck. I hold her close. These goodbyes never get easier, even though it’s only a few days.
“I love you, bug,” I murmur. “Be good for Mommy, okay? Have so much fun.”
“I will.” She pulls back and looks at me. “I love you too, Daddy. To the moon and back.”
“To the moon and back,” I repeat. It’s our thing, has been since she was old enough to talk. “And all the stars in between.”
She giggles and squeezes me one more time, then pulls away and grabs Victoria’s hand. “Come on, Mommy! I want to show you my drawings!”
Victoria shoots me an amused look as Chloe drags her toward the Audi. “I’ll text you when we’re heading out for pick up.”
I nod. “Drive safe.”
I watch them cross the parking lot as Victoria pops the trunk and tosses in the backpack, then opens the back door and helps Chloe climb in. She buckles her seatbelt, says something that makes Chloe laugh, and presses a kiss to her forehead before closing the door.
They pull out of the spot and Chloe’s face appears in the back window, her hand pressed flat against the glass, waving frantically. I wave back, keeping my hand up until the silver Audi turns onto the highway ramp and disappears from view.
And then they’re gone.
I stand there for a moment in the quiet of the parking lot, hands in my pockets. A truck rumbles past on the highway. Abird calls from somewhere in the trees lining the rest stop. The hollow feeling hits me then, the one that shows up every time I watch her leave. That ache in my chest that won’t quite go away until I have her back again.
I head back to my car and climb in, pulling out my phone before I even start the engine. The screen lights up with a long thread of texts from Emma and I smile just seeing her name.
It’s been four days since that first night at her apartment and we’ve barely stopped talking since—texts at all hours, phone calls that stretch past midnight. I’ve never been like this with anyone. This constant pull toward another person, this need to know what she’s doing, what she’s thinking, whether she’s smiling.
I scroll through her latest messages and type out a quick reply..
Me:Just dropped off Chloe. Heading back to town. Dinner at my place tonight? I’m cooking.
The dots appear almost instantly.
Emma:Aww sweet Chloe. Hope she has a good time with her mom!
Emma:And yes please. What are we having?
I lean back in my seat, smiling. I’ve already planned the whole evening. It’s been bothering me that I’ve slept with her multiple times now and we still haven’t had a proper date. She deserves more than that. She deserves to be wined and dined, romanced the right way, not just fucked in every way imaginable and fed omelettes the next morning.
So tonight I’m doing it right. Handmade tagliatelle with chanterelles and brown butter. A bottle of Luna Terza chardonnay that my brother Alex brought back from Napa and won’t stop raving about. Roasted artichokes with lemon aioli to start. Panna cotta with honey and fresh berries for dessert.
Although Alex is the true artist in the kitchen, I’ve got some game, too, and I want to impress Emma. I want her to know this isn’t casual for me.
Me:It’s a surprise. Just show up hungry.
Emma:Oooh mysterious. I’m intrigued.
Emma:Should I dress up? Candlelit romance vibes or casual?
Me:Casual. But wear something underneath. I want to finally see what was in that Simone Pérèle box at the post office the first day we met.
Emma:Oooh bossy. I like itThe Simone Pérèle can be arranged.
Me:Good. Because I plan on taking my time with you tonight.
