One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(85)

Laughing, I nod. “Yeah, I don’t blame you there.” Taking a step forward, I lace my fingers with hers and rub the pad of my thumb over her knuckles. “Please have dinner with me, Adalyn?”

“I go to bed early.”

“How early?”

“Ten.” She chuckles.

“That’s not early, but don’t worry, I’ll get you home before bedtime.” I pull on her hand. “Please.”

She concedes, and heaves a heavy sigh. “Okay, what time?”

“Don’t sound so pained about it,” I joke, squeezing her hand. “What time works best for you?”

“How about five?”

“Dining with the early birds, I like it. I’ll pick you up.”

“I can actually meet you—”

Not going to fucking happen. I shake my head. “I’ll pick you up.” Gesturing toward the pink box, I say, “Enjoy the fritters, hand out the tickets, and make sure to keep one for yourself. Have a good day.” I bring her knuckles to my lips and kiss them softly. Wiggling my eyebrows, I say, “Don’t forget to text me back, because I have some great conversations planned out.”

Laughing, she takes her hand back and folds her arms across her chest, a glint in her eye. “Is that right? Real riveting text conversations?”

“Get ready to be blown away.”

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Taking the box with her, she walks behind the reception desk. “Don’t hype it up if you can’t deliver, Holmes.” That right there—that look, the teasing lilt in her voice—that’s the Adalyn who stole my heart. That’s the girl I’ve been craving, and seeing that little glimpse of her gives me hope.

“I always deliver, babe. Always.”

Hayden: Did you know alligators swim out of the way of a manatee’s path?

Adalyn: Is this the mind-blowing text conversation you were talking about?

Hayden: Just a soft opener. What did you think?

Adalyn: I think it’s kind of strange.

Hayden: Fun facts are always strange but useless information you can utilize to impress others.

Adalyn: Is that what you’re doing? Trying to impress you?

Hayden: If I am is it working?

Adalyn: I want to say yes to save your pride . . .

Hayden: Please, no pity yeses, I don’t think my heart can take them.

Adalyn: I think you could have opened up with a more useful fact.

Hayden: Manatees and alligators aren’t useful? Odd . . . give me a good example of a useful fact.

Adalyn: Because of water weight, a women’s shoe size can grow one full size bigger during pregnancy.

Hayden: So what you’re trying to tell me is that you would like to borrow my shoes. Anytime babe, you don’t even have to ask.

Adalyn: Don’t you wear a seven in men? That won’t work.

Hayden: Feeling spicy today, are we?

Adalyn: I think it’s the sugar high from the fritters.

Hayden: How many have you eaten?

Adalyn: I don’t want to say.

Hayden: I’ve seen you take down an entire sheet cake, so your fritter consumption won’t faze me.

Adalyn: I didn’t take down an entire sheet cake. Don’t you dare text lie.

Hayden: It’s called embellishing for comedic effect.

Adalyn: Well since I’m feeling larger than normal, you can cut down on the embellishing, funny boy.

Hayden: Honest comment coming - - > You look gorgeous.

Adalyn: You just want to know how many fritters I’ve eaten today.

Hayden: Yes but I do think you’re gorgeous, so you can’t change my mind about that.

Adalyn: Took an extra dose of charming today, I see.

Hayden: To match your spice. Now tell me, how many?

Adalyn: This is so embarrassing . . . four.

Hayden: *eyes pop out of sockets* FOUR??

Adalyn: I hate you.

Hayden: Nah, impossible.

“Are you ready, Holmes?” Chris asks, sitting next to me, wrapping his goalie stick.

“Yeah, feeling good. What about you?” I nudge his shoulder with mine.

“A little beat up from this weekend, but other than that, ready to go.” Eyeing my phone in my hands, Chris says, “Shannon told me you took fritters to the office this morning.”

I lean back against the locker. “Just trying to win over my girl.”

“Yeah, well, don’t drown the rest of us in the process. Shannon was telling me how we’ve lost our spark, because I don’t take her bakery treats at the office.”

“Oh shit.” I laugh. “Did she say that?”

“Called me once you left, asked me to bring her a latte to go with the fritter that the handsome new guy brought into the office.”

“And did you?”

“Of course I did. I can’t have you showing me up. I brought lattes for everyone, damn it.”

Laughing and shaking my head, I say, “That is one happy doctor’s office.”

“They’re Quakes fans, that’s for damn sure.”

“Bribing nurses and doctors with lattes and fritters, we might be onto something.”

Chris nods his head as my phone buzzes in my hand. “We should bring it up to PR. I’m sure they would have a field day with it.”