“She is, isn’t she?”
“And pretty,” Theo adds.
Trust me kid, don’t have to tell me twice.
“Is she really coming to the dinosaur museum?”
See? I have the best damn kid on the planet.
“Absolutely. Says she wouldn’t miss it.” I lean back, ruffling his hair. “I’m glad you like her.”
“Do you like her, Dad?”
His question catches me off guard, but I immediately know the answer. “Yeah, bud. I like Kiki a lot.”
Chapter 3
Jealous of a Woman I Haven't Met
Kiki
If someone had told me a month ago that Eddie Landry and his son would morph into two of my most constant companions, I would’ve laughed. Or cried.
Maybe both.
But here we are.
Somehow, without me noticing, those two marched straight into my heart and set up camp—Theo with his boundless excitement for all things baseball and dinosaur-related, and Eddie with his unfairly easygoing charm.
Plus, his dimpled smile sure makes for a pleasant view.
Not that I’m looking… much.
Come on, he’s a good-looking man, but he’s way too young for me to consider as anything beyond a pizza buddy.
Not that he’d consider it, regardless. Even if our ten-year age gap weren’t glaringly obvious, there’s the whole town pariah situation to contend with.
No amount of curves or charm can outrunthatkind of reputation.
But Eddie and Theo are spots of sunshine in my lonelylittle world. Once or twice a week, we spend a few precious hours watching movies, demolishing burgers, or tackling the most mundane tasks. Even grocery runs and laundry feel oddly less bleak when shared.
Every time I assume it will be the last.
But every night, before parting ways, Theo pipes up with another request for my company. “Hey Dad, can Miss Kiki come with us on the hike this weekend?”
When an adorable, precocious six-year-old asks you to tag along on their adventures, you say yes.
End of discussion.
For the first couple of weeks, I figured Eddie invited me along simply to be kind. Because he felt bad. Because he didn’t want me alone in my half-renovated cabin with nothing but anxiety and the ghosts of my old life for company.
But somewhere between the third dinosaur exhibit and the fifth shared pizza, it clicked.
He enjoys spending time with me.
I’m not some awkward third wheel intruding on father-son time.
I’m his friend.
