“I can braid my own, why?”
He smiles, inching closer to my lips. “Because I’m rubbish at it, apparently. Sienna likes you. She’s okay with us dating.”
“But we’re not da?—“
“Shh.” His tongue teases the seam of my mouth, my heart racing, tingles coursing through my veins. Maybe I should protest more, but as I close my eyes, his warmth seeps into my skin and a moan vibrates into his mouth as our tongues tangle together. Stubble scratches my chin, and I can’t believe he wants me. Of everyone else in this town, he wants me. The hot mess crazy cat lady. I smile at his words, but the truth is I’ve never felt more seen.
Drake deepens the kiss, scorching my lips, his tongue licking at mine like flames.
“Daddy, are you and Miss Sparks getting married?”
I pull away and open my eyes to Sienna standing before us, the swing abandoned behind her, still swaying in the breeze. A hollow pit opens in my stomach. Part of me longs for a marriage, partner, soulmate, even though I’m terrified of it.
Drake clears his throat. “Not today, bug, but when we do, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Can I have a pretty white dress too?”
“You can have whatever dress you want.” He smiles as she twirls and skips to the slide.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that with Sienna watching. I was just swept up in the moment.” He presses his lips to mine again, briefly. “I’ve wanted to kiss you again since the other night.”
“Same.” I gasp at my own admission. But it’s the truth. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our kiss. But I know when he hears the truth about me, his feelings will change, and it’s not fair to lead him or Sienna on.
This is the moment I’ll replay when he’s gone—me, him, his daughter, laughter in the park. A little slice of normal I’ve always wanted but don’t believe I deserve.
“I’m too old for you.”
He chuckles under his breath. “Is that what this is about? You think you’re too old for me?”
“Well, I’m forty. You’re…” I wave a hand up and down, gesturing at him in his prime.
“I’m just a single dad, muddling through life, doing my best like the rest of us, and grabbing onto any sliver of happiness where I can.” His blue eyes dull as if a rain cloud is covering the sky. “My wife was younger than me. We thought we had the rest of our lives together. But life didn’t pan out that way. If I’ve learnt anything, it’s that when love sparks, you grab hold of it with both hands and cling on to it for as long as you can.”
“Love?”
“You know what I mean, pumpkin.” His lips curve into a smile.
“You know every time you call me that, I’m gonna call you dragon boy.”
“I told you, I prefer Mr. October.” He chuckles silently, shaking his shoulders. “What I’m trying to say, is that none of us are promised tomorrow. That’s why we have to make the most of each day and enjoy the time we have.”
“Today is a gift, that’s why we call it the present.” I recite the writing on the classroom wall. Maybe I have been living in the past. “He cheated on me, Drake.”
His jaw clenches. “Bastard.” We sit in silence, watching Sienna on the monkey bars. “I’m glad you don’t have to deal with him anymore.”
I huff out a half laugh. “I still see him every day at the school gates. He’s got two kids now—a nine-year-old daughter, and a six-year-old son in my class. And I stand there, pretending it doesn’t still sting.” I let out a long sigh. “I’m fine. It’s all fine. I don’t even miss him. What hurt the most was that I wasn’t enough for him. I just felt worthless. I’m not grieving him as much as I’m grieving the woman Iwas back then. Before he ruined my confidence, and yes, you’re probably right. He made me believe I didn’t deserve love. It’s hard to break these habits and thoughts.”
“One day at a time. It’s all I’m asking.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I can’t promise you forever. I don’t know what the future holds for any of us, but I can promise I’ll never cheat on you or intentionally hurt you.”
“All right. I can live with that.” The way his hand envelopes mine, warm and sure, makes me want to believe in second chances. But I know the higher I climb, the harder the fall when it ends. But if all he’s asking for is one day at a time, I can handle that.
“Besides, you’re gonna need someone to take care of you when you’re old.” He nudges my shoulder with a laugh.
I lift my leg, pointing my crutch at the cast on my foot. “I already feel like a fossil.”
“Well, you’re still here, causing chaos. Maybe there’s some fire left in your old bones.”
“Maybe just embers inside.”
