“Thanks for the advice, Serena.”
Betty comes back, dropping off Lennox’s lunch order, and Serena wanders off, stopping at a table that flags her down.
I steal a fry off the plate.
“You know, you could try talking to Joey’s dad,” Lennox states.
“That is probably off the table,” I say.
“Have you tried?”
The look she gives me is so much like her mother that my heart clangs around in my chest. I don’t know if I can handle losing a second person I love.
“I’ll worry about myself and the heartbreak that Serena predicted, and you just worry about making a good impression at your job.”
“Someone has to worry about you.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I love you, Dad, and you deserve to be happy too.”
I kiss her head. “Thanks, Lenny. But I’m the parent. I’ll do the worrying.”
She pushes her plate closer to me. “At least let me worry now. You need to eat something before you go back to work.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “In the meantime, tell me how your job is so I can have a distraction.”
As far as afternoons go, hearing about my daughter’s new job is pretty damn good. It takes my attention off Joey and what happened between us. Even if it’s just for a little while.
I drop a twenty on the table and head out with her.
“Why don’t you come over for dinner next week if you’re not working?”
“Only if you let me make it,” she says, buttoning up her coat.
“I told you, I’m fine.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t bring you dinner.” She smiles.
“Fine. Have a good night at work.”
“I will.” She hugs me. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too.”
I watch as she walks toward the corner and runs across the street before heading into the bar. Leaving me, once again, all alone, as I leave for the ranch.
I should be used to being alone by now. But a small glimpse at a life with Joey was too much.
Because it’s all I want now.
If only I knew how to have it…
Chapter Thirty
SAM
“Ihope you enjoyed your ride.”
“Thank you. That was a lot of fun, sir.” The little boy looks up with a smile on his face.
“I’m glad you had fun.”
