“Ew.” I shoo at her. “Get off.”
Tate chuckles. “It’s okay. That’s her spot.”
“Her spot?” I look between them. “Seriously, Tate?”
He smiles again. “The second Bea gets home from school, apparently, she curls up there so she can keep an eye on her. Bea,” he calls up the stairs. “Jordan’s here.”
Light footsteps rumble down the stairs and Bea appears with a sly grin. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I hold my breath. What if she’s bored with me?
“Okay.” Tate grabs his keys, his wallet, and his phone. “Money for dinner is here.” He holds up a wad of cash that looks like way, way too much. “We’re too far for delivery so you’ll have to take the Adventure Car into town to pick up food.”
I raise an eyebrow at the mention of the Adventure Car, which I’ve been driving to and from work.
“Also known as the Dork Mobile,” he says with a quick wink, and I snort a laugh while Bea giggles.
“Dad Mobile,” I correct him.
“Right. My apologies.” Tate turns to Bea with a serious expression. “No tattoos.” He looks to me with playful light in his eyes.
Bea skips over to the chair to pet the cat while I arch an eyebrow at her father. “And you’re firm on that?”
He makes a thoughtful face and I try not to smile. “Youcan get a tattoo, but I’d like to see what Bea picks out before the needle goes in.”
I willnotsmile. “You’re such a good father.”
“I try. Bea,” he says, striding over and giving her a firm kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll be home after you go to bed. Goodnight, I love you to the stars and back.”
“Love you to the stars and back,” she says back with a grin and I have to look away, the moment is so adorable.
To me, he nods. “Thank you, Jordan. Seriously.”
“Anytime,” I say to the floor.
He gives my shoulder a quick, grateful squeeze that makes my stomach flip before he’s out the door and we can hear the garage opening.
I study Bea, narrowing my eyes, but I’m smiling. “So.”
“So.” Bea leans on the counter, studying me right back.
“No TV, right?”
She shakes her head. I know that flickering light I’ve seen a few times in Tate’s bedroom window is a TV—Iknowit—but I’m not about to spill those beans to his kid.
“And your internet sucks.”
“Yep.”
“Hmmm.” I narrow my eyes more.
“You can go back to the guesthouse if you want.” She scratches behind the cat’s ears, and the cat closes her eyes in pure bliss. Shameless. “I’m old enough to be by myself until my dad gets home. I’ll put myself to bed and everything.”
My heart does an unwelcome ache.
“If you’re going to be bored here,” she adds, not meeting my eyes.
“Bored?” I give her an exaggerated look. “Why would I be bored?You think I’m one of those people who’s addicted to TV or something?”
