The Single Dad (The Dalton Family #3)(45)

“Ford, I would never—”

“You don’t have to say any more.”

I quieted.

I wasn’t surprised he didn’t want to talk about it. The topic couldn’t have been more awkward.

But even if the apartment was technically mine, I would never disrespect him.

I wouldn’t even bring Gabby over.

As though he sensed I needed another break from his eyes, he got up and went to the fridge, returning with two bottles of water, one which he placed in front of me.

“As for the minor details,” he said, “like I mentioned before, you’ll be given a credit card. I want you to use it when you’re out with Everly—if you stop for ice cream, lunch, shopping. I will cover all expenses for the both of you, no exceptions. That also goes for anything you need for projects, lessons, whatever—just charge it.” He took a drink of his water. “I’m also going to give you a car to use, so you’ll no longer need yours. I’m sure the one you drive is fine, but keeping the both of you safe is my top priority; therefore, I need you driving something I’ve chosen personally.”

My hand went to his arm, a reaction that I immediately regretted but I still didn’t pull away. “I’ve gone through this all before. I understand how it works. If my daughter were in your care, I’d want to choose the car too.” My fingers left, grabbing the water bottle and untwisting the cap. “However, if Everly’s not with me and I’m going somewhere personally, I’ll pay for the gas.”

“No, you won’t.” He laughed. “I won’t allow it.”

“Ford—”

“Listen to me. Your sole responsibility is my daughter. Teaching her. Molding her. Giving her everything she needs without turning her into a spoiled brat—that, I won’t stand for.” He wiped his lips and continued, “Above all else, my daughter is going to learn the meaning of hard work and humility. She needs a foundation that’s concrete. That, Sydney, is where you come in. Everything else, like money, let me worry about.”

I took a deep breath, squeezing the bottle with both hands. “I promise … I’ll give you and Everly everything I can.”





Eleven





Ford





“One drink,” I said to my brothers, who were sitting across from me at the corner table at the bar. “One,” I emphasized, holding up my finger in case their goddamn ears were clogged.

They needed the reminder because on the rare opportunities that they dragged me out after work, like tonight, one almost always turned into ten.

And this evening wasn’t going to be a bender.

Not with Sydney at the house, who had agreed to watch Everly after the twelve hours she already spent with my daughter today. She’d only been employed for two weeks. I certainly didn’t want to push it at this point.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jenner groaned. “We get it. We’ve only got you for …”

“One drink,” they both repeated.

“Just so you know, when my baby girl, Eve, is eighteen and off to college, you won’t be able to use the kid excuse anymore,” Dominick said, clinking his glass against mine.

“Maybe not,” I replied. “But by that point, the two of you will have so many little ones running around, you’ll be too busy to go out.” I felt a vibration in my pocket and pulled out my phone, making sure the message wasn’t from Sydney. Once I saw that it wasn’t, I put my phone away.

“Which is why you need yourself a woman,” Jenner said. “So you won’t get lonely when Dom and I have a million fucking kids.”

That was enough to make me drink more.

I raised my glass to my lips and chugged. “Was this your plan tonight? To give me the woman talk? Hold some type of single-dude intervention?”

They looked at each other.

And then Dominick said, “No. But since you brought it up, yes.”

“Jesus—”

“Don’t Jesus us, Ford,” Jenner barked. “You gave us plenty of shit during our bachelor days, encouraging us when we needed it, giving us a firm spanking when we needed that too. Did you honestly think your situation would be any different?”

I laughed.

Because every word that had come out of that bastard’s mouth was fucking hilarious.

“What situation, Jenner?” I adjusted my position to get a better look at him. “I’m not in a relationship. I don’t have any prospects. It’s me and my daughter—that’s it.”

“Did our brother wake up this morning with amnesia?” Dominick asked Jenner. “Or is the motherfucker suffering from a concussion from getting hit over the head with a two-by-four?” Dominick’s stare left Jenner, and he looked at me. “In case you need the reminder, her name is Sydney. You know, your goddamn nanny.”

I laughed again. “That’s exactly it. She’s my nanny. Nothing more.”

Jenner leaned his elbows on the table to get closer to me. “Really? That’s all she is—your nanny?”

“Yes, my nanny. Who the fuck do you think is watching my kid right now?” I checked my phone, making sure there was nothing from Sydney. I wasn’t sure why I had this nagging anticipation that she was going to text a question or a picture out of the blue, but every few minutes, I found myself reaching inside my pocket. “So, yes, guys, that’s all she is. Someone to take care of Eve, not me.”