Flirting with Forever: A Hot Romantic Comedy(54)

Not that she was, exactly. But something deep inside me wanted to claim her.

We took our seats. Looked at the menu and ordered drinks, then dinner. Conversation came easy over our drinks and continued when our food came. We talked about Riley, laughed about our neighbor Phil and his continuing obsession with his shake weight. I told her—somewhat reluctantly—about my sister Maggie’s insistence that she owed her for some of the things she’d read in her column. The way Maggie and her husband were going, they’d have another baby on the way sooner rather than later.

“How did you become a tattoo artist?” she asked.

“I got into art when I was a kid—mostly sketching and painting. I loved it, but growing up with a lawyer for a dad, it was more or less expected that I’d go to college for something either professional or academic. And when my brother Dallas went to law school, it felt like I had to go, too.”

“You went to law school?”

“I dropped out of law school.”

“What did your parents have to say about that?”

“They worried a lot and made sure I knew it. When I told them I was taking an apprenticeship in a tattoo shop, they thought I’d lost my mind. But ultimately, they were pretty good about letting all of us make our own choices, good or bad. We’re the ones who have to live with them.”

“No wonder you’re such a good father.”

That was probably the best compliment she could have given me. “Thank you.”

“I mean it. You’re amazing with her.”

“I appreciate that.” I shifted in my seat. “Lately I feel like I’m flying blind. She used to be so easy to understand. Now the little girl who loved to curl up in my lap and listen to stories before bed shrinks away when I try to hug her. I practically have to chase her down.”

“Don’t ever stop.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hugging her, even if you do have to chase her to do it. I know it probably seems like she’s pushing you away but I really think that’s when you need to double down. Hug her more, not less. Keep showing her that you love her no matter what else is going on in your lives.”

I nodded slowly. “That’s good advice.”

“I realize I’m not her mother. I’m not cut out to be anyone’s mom. But I do know what it’s like to be a self-conscious and sometimes confused teenage girl who really wishes she had a dad who cared enough to keep trying.”

Damn. That hit me right in the chest. I didn’t know what to say, so I reached across the table and took her hand. Although, she was wrong about one thing; she’d make a great mom.

She looked aside and pulled her hand away, tucking her hair behind her ear. The waiter came back and asked if we wanted more wine. We decided to have one more glass and I talked her into sharing a tiramisu.

We chatted more, mostly about tattooing. I could tell she was steering the conversation away from herself but I let it go. She probably hadn’t meant to share that about her father. Still, I heard her message loud and clear. It didn’t matter how hard Riley pushed back, I was going to keep loving her like a good dad should. Even when that meant hugging her in front of her friends. I hoped she’d thank me for it someday.

After dinner, I took Nora to my place. Peeling that sexy black dress off her was even more fun than watching her wear it. I lost myself in her, enjoying her taste, her scent, the feel of her skin. She was beautiful and in these brief moments, alone in my room, she was mine.

But not for long. She didn’t stay, lingering in bed with me. And spending the night seemed to be completely off the table, so I didn’t ask.

I wanted that to be okay. But the more it happened—and the more time we spent together outside the bedroom—the less satisfied I was with our situation. Against my better judgment, I was falling for her. Which was not good. Relationships never worked out for me.

I’d known she was trouble the first time I saw her. But I hadn’t realized how much. Now I was in over my head and I had no idea what I was going to do about it.





23





DEX





Riley hitched her backpack up her shoulder and I followed her into the house. I had to go back to the shop later—I had an evening appointment—but I’d been able to take off and pick her up from school. She had homework, so after grabbing a quick snack—and enduring a hug from her dad—she went upstairs.

She hadn’t talked much but she also hadn’t seemed sullen or upset about anything. I decided I’d take it.

Something made me glance out the front window. It was like I had a Nora radar. There she was, coming back from a run, her skin flushed and warm. I hadn’t seen her in a few days—our schedules hadn’t seemed to line up. I missed her.

I didn’t want to. Not like this. Missing her body was fine. And I did. Just the sight of her through the window stirred my desire. But it was more than that. A few days without her and I was craving the sound of her voice, the scent of her skin, the simple pleasure of her presence.

That was dangerous.

Without thinking about it too deeply, I grasped for the lust that she evoked and pushed away all those inconvenient emotions. I’d keep it simple—go next door and fuck her senseless.

I glanced upstairs. Riley was doing homework and she’d probably stay in her room anyway. So I crept out the back door, shutting it quietly, and went over to Nora’s.