Page 22 of The Rules of Dating

Billie held out a second gift. “And this is something I made just for you.” She looked over at Holden. “I can’t sing like your Uncle Holden, but I hope you like what I drew.”

Saylor ripped open the wrapping paper. Inside was a framed photo of a fairy. When I took a closer look, I realized the fairy’s face was Saylor’s.

“Holy crap. You drew that from memory?”

Billie nodded. “It wasn’t hard. This little girl doesn’t have a face you easily forget.”

“Daddy! I’m a fairy! I’m a fairy!”

“I see that. Those are some pretty amazing gifts, Saylor. What do you say?”

Saylor wrapped her arms around Billie’s waist. “Thank you, Billie. I’m going to draw you a picture with my new markers!”

“You’re so welcome. I can’t wait to see what you create.”

Saylor ran over to Holden and Owen to show them her new Saylor Fairy.

“You didn’t have to go to all that trouble,” I whispered to Billie.

“I wanted to. Plus, that reaction just made my entire day—my week, even. I might start drawing her something on the regular just to have someone look at me like that.”

I smiled. “Tell me about it. Why do you think she has four-hundred elephant stuffed animals? She loves them, and I’m addicted to the way her eyes light up when I bring one home.”

A little while later, Owen left. Then Holden said he needed to get going, so he told the birthday girl to take a seat so he could serenade her. It didn’t matter if they were four or thirty, women could not resist when Holden sang. He’d written a sweet little lullaby, and my daughter wore a toothy smile from ear to ear the entire time he sang it. I’d been enjoying it, too, until I glanced over and saw the way Billie was looking at Mr. Rockstar.

Fuck. A lot of women loved Holden and his scraggly I-don’t-give-two-shits look. But they all wanted to jump his bones once he broke out an instrument or started crooning. I wasn’t even sure why he was the drummer in his band. The dude could’ve fronted any group he wanted as a singer. Even I had to admit his voice was damn sexy.

When it was over, Billie blinked a few times. “Wow. That was amazing.”

Holden flashed his signature aww, shucks smile, and I couldn’t get the fucker out of my apartment fast enough. I might’ve actually shoved him through the door. Though I thought I’d done it discreetly.

“Do you want me to go, too?” Billie asked when I turned back toward her. “You sort of rushed your friends out.”

“I did?”

She lifted a knowing brow.

So I came clean. “Women can’t help but fall for Holden, whether he’s singing or playing the drums. It was only a matter of time until you tossed your panties at him if I let him stay.”

Billie chuckled. “Do I seem like the panty-tossing type to you?”

I sighed. “Owen’s grandmother hit on Holden after she saw him play the drums once.”

“His voice is beautiful, and I’m sure he’s a very talented musician. But I’m not interested in Holden.”

“No?”

She shook her head.

“How about any of his friends? Because I’ve heard dudes who can bake a cake are way better in bed than the ones who can sing.”

Billie’s eyes sparkled. “That cake was pretty delicious.”

Luckily, my daughter ran back out to the kitchen before I pushed things too far—like suggesting I smear the rest of the cake all over her body and lick it off.

“Daddy, can we go to the bridge now?”

“In a few minutes, sweetheart. Why don’t you go get a sweatshirt?”