“Because Kevin said he could shove seven raisins up his and that we couldn’t beat him because we were girls.”
Charlie’s attitude and competitive spirit leave no doubt she’s my kid. I bite back a smile and look up to see Sadie doing the same.
“Kevin was wrong,” I tell Charlie. “Sometimes when people say stuff like that you have to walk away knowing they’re wrong and you don’t have to prove them wrong. Especially if it’s something that could hurt you.”
Charlie looks up at me and then to Sadie, who hides her smile easily. “Your dad is right.”
“Okay.”
Shelda walks into the room. “Everything okay?”
“Raisin has been evicted,” Sadie announces, and Shelda smiles. “Just finishing up the report. I can forward to your local pediatrician if you’d like.”
My face drops, and Shelda notices. “I…umm…It’s just…”
Sadie glances up at me. Shelda motions toward Charlie. “No sense in you sitting around this stuffy room. Would you like to sneak up to the cafeteria with me? They have some yummy oatmeal cookies tonight.”
Charlie looks up at me, and I pull out my wallet and hand her a five-dollar bill. “No soda, though, Charlie. Apple juice or milk only.”
“Okay.” She nods. “And I won’t put anything in my nose.”
“Atta girl!” Sadie smiles as I try not to laugh. Shelda takes Charlie out of the room, and I walk to the door and watch them go. As soon as they are out of sight I collapse against the wall in relief and run my hands through my hair. “Holy shit, this kid thing really does kill you slowly.”
Sadie laughs. “She is absolutely adorable. And by the way, please feel free to tell Jude’s teammates about the Lego incident and make fun of him mercilessly.”
My eyes narrow on her. “You did laugh at him when it happened, didn’t you?”
“Cackled for days,” she replies with an evil grin that is still somehow sexy as hell.
She finishes typing on the computer and turns her head toward me. “So you don’t want the file sent to your pediatrician? You don’t have to do it. We just generally offer as most parents like to keep all the records with one physician.”
“No. I’d rather not,” I reply and move around the bed so I can stand closer to her. She doesn’t notice or at least she doesn’t react. “That Cale person Charlie referred to is my ex-wife’s boyfriend. If I keep this from my ex, I keep this from him, which means I won’t have to punch him in the face for laughing at her over it.”
Her eyes hold mine for a long moment. I can’t read her expression so I get worried she doesn’t think I’m doing the right thing. “Does that make me a bad parent?”
She blinks. “Of course not. Charlie is not going to need any follow-up care from this and there’s no possibility of a side effect or anything, so it’s not a big deal. Don’t worry. Oh, and for the record, even the fact that she shoved the raisin up her nose isn’t your fault and doesn’t make you a bad parent. And also for the record, your ex is dating a dick.”
“Yeah. She is,” I say.
“You can finish up at the desk when Shelda gets back. She’ll print out a copy of the report, for your records,” she says and moves the computer out to the side.
“You’re a great nurse,” I say.
She reaches out and squeezes my arm. “You’re a great dad.”
I know it’s probably not appropriate, but I give her a hug. “Thank you.”
She hugs me back, squeezing me as tightly as I’m squeezing her. I meant it as a friendly gesture, but it feels like much more. Seeing how incredible she was at her job, and most importantly with my daughter, has only made my feelings for her stronger.
“I know this sounds crazy, but I miss you,” I confess. She breaks the hug and takes a step back. “I miss all the time I never got to spend with you.”
“I feel that way too.”
“So let’s hang out. As friends,” I suggest, and it sounds as impulsive as it feels. “We can finally grab a coffee or maybe a few drinks or something.”
“Griffin…” She shakes her head. “I think the only thing that would make my life more complicated than dating you would be being around you but not dating you.”
I know the minute she says it that she’s right. “I like you.”
