Flirting with Forever: A Hot Romantic Comedy(66)

I felt slightly awkward, like I’d just witnessed something very private. Dex didn’t say anything, just stalked into the kitchen. I could feel the anger snapping off him like bolts of electricity.

Not sure what else to do, I followed him.

“She better fucking show.” He slammed a cupboard door.

“Is that usually a problem?” I asked, my voice gentle.

“Sometimes.”

I wanted to offer him something—comfort, reassurance, anything. But this situation wasn’t my area, nor was it my business. I didn’t know the first thing about dealing with an ex who was a sometimes-parent.

“Nora,” Riley called from upstairs. “Can you come help me decide what to wear?”

I met Dex’s eyes, looking for his guidance. Was this okay? I didn’t want to intrude on a delicate family situation.

“It’s fine,” he said.

I went upstairs and for the first time, I felt out of my element with Riley. Helping her choose an outfit for the dance had been fun. And giving her advice on dealing with the social minefield that was middle school had come easily.

But when it came to this, I didn’t know my role. Was I the lady next door? The mentor, willing to give fashion and friend advice? Or the woman who was now dating her father? Someone who spent more time with her—a lot more time—than her biological mother.

The reality of where I found myself hit me like too many shots of cheap tequila, making my legs wobble and my head spin.

I was dating a single dad. Which meant I was volunteering for a role that wasn’t quite a mother, but was something a little bit like it. And now I was about to take center stage, charged with a part for which I’d never rehearsed.

Own it, Nora.

With a deep breath, I went into Riley’s room. “Hi, sweetie.”

She stood in the middle of her bedroom with her hands on her hips, surrounded by discarded clothing. “I have no idea what to wear.”

One glance and had a feeling I knew where Riley’s outfit anxiety was coming from. She wanted to impress her mom.

It broke my heart.

“I think the best outfit is one that makes you feel great,” I said. “If you feel like a million dollars, you’ll look like a million dollars. So let’s narrow this down to your favorite pieces and we can go from there.”

“Hmm.” She looked around at the mess, then grabbed a shirt. “This one is cute.”

“Good start. What else?”

She nibbled on her bottom lip as she sorted through her clothes. After picking up a few more items off the floor and bed, and digging through her closet, she laid out a selection of tops and bottoms.

“This is perfect, honey. Out of these, which top makes you feel the best? Which is the most Riley?”

She reached for a purple shirt I’d seen her wear before. Her instinct was spot on, it was very her. Cute and colorful without being loud, and it made her eyes pop.

But she put it down and went back to her closet. When she came out, she had a blue dress on a hanger. “I think I’ll wear this.”

I narrowed my eyes. There was nothing wrong with the dress. It was cute, the cut modern enough not to look childish but modest enough to be perfect for a thirteen-year-old.

The problem was, it wasn’t her.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“I think so. Why? Don’t you like it? You wear dresses all the time.”

I did wear dresses a lot. I loved the flirty femininity of them. “I do. And it’s a nice dress. I like the color. I’m just a little bit surprised you’d choose it for tonight. When you grabbed the purple shirt, I was thinking that was perfect. Pair it with your distressed skinny jeans and those sandals we talked your dad into buying for you. It would be very cute and very Riley.”

“Yeah.” Still holding up the dress, she glanced at the purple shirt. “My mom likes me in dresses, though.”

“I see. Well, the sandals will look nice with that, too.”

She nodded again and smiled, her eyes so hopeful. “Will they?”

“They will. You’ll look lovely.”

“Thanks, Nora.” She dropped the dress onto the bed and gave me a hug. “I should hurry. It’s almost six.”

I stepped around the discarded clothes. “Let me know if you need help with your hair.”

“I’m going to leave it in the braid. But thanks.”

At least she wasn’t worried about what her mom thought of her hair.

Discontent ate at me as I went downstairs. Dex was in the living room drinking a beer. I hadn’t seen him look this closed off since we’d first met. He glared at nothing, his eyes staring straight ahead, and he tapped his free hand on his knee.

“Is it going to be a problem if I’m here?” I asked.

He broke his gaze and looked at me, his eyes softening. “No, it’s fine. I’m sorry, Brooklyn just gets to me. I always second guess whether I should let Riley see her or just cut her off completely. Riley wants to see her, so how can I say no? Brooklyn is her mom and sometimes they have a good visit. But when it doesn’t go well, Riley is so disappointed.”

I got on the couch next to him and caressed his arm. “She seems to really want her mom to accept her. She picked a dress to wear because that’s what she thinks her mom likes.”