One Look: A grumpy, single dad small town romance(63)

He grunted in response, digging his hips into me. “Not that either.”

“Well, an actress is nothing if not adaptable. I can be whatever you need.” I turned inside the circle of his arms and batted my eyelashes at him.

“Right now, the only thing I need is you.”





27





WYATT





Sunday night ended with wearing down the paint by walking circles on the front porch when Bethany was three hours late dropping off Penny. Between the unanswered texts and the missed phone calls, I was worried and thoroughly pissed off.

Lark and I had spent the morning sleeping in after pulling another all-nighter, exploring each other well into the night. My body was tired, but somehow I still craved her. She tried to break away and go up to her apartment, but I was able to convince her that a shower at my place—together—followed by a pair of my sweats and a T-shirt was the much better option.

She had looked damn good in my clothes, and a fresh wave of protectiveness coursed through me any time I looked at Lark. It was late by the time we rolled out of bed, but I made coffee and fried-egg sandwiches. She dipped hers in ketchup, which was fucking gross. When I told her as much, she only laughed and commented, “Words of affirmation must not be your love language.” I huffed and reminded her that it was physical touch. Twice.

As the late morning bled into early evening, I had been stressed about Penny coming back and being ready for the upcoming week. I was also worried about the boys driving back from Michael’s house. I’d tried not to let it show, but Lark had the uncanny ability to read my moods, and she’d called me out on it.

It was then she insisted on leaving me to pick up groceries for both herself and me while I waited for Penny. Getting help taking care of my shit was strange, and I didn’t really like it, but as I debated and looked at the clock, Lark pulled the grocery list from the refrigerator and left me staring after her with a smile.

To be honest, having one less thing to do was a huge relief. Lark had returned by the time the boys got back, and they’d helped unload groceries.

By then Bethany was already late and I was fuming. When she finally returned my calls to let me know she was only a few minutes out of town, Lark had excused herself to her apartment. I’d been relieved. She didn’t need to see me lose my shit.

Bethany’s blue sports car rolled down the driveway. After she stopped, Penny shot out of the car with a huge smile on her face. “Hi, Dad!”

She crashed into me, and the relief I felt nearly brought me to my knees. I squeezed her harder. “Hi, Pickle. I missed you.”

“I had so much fun! We got our nails done and went shopping for some school clothes and Mom got me a hamster!”

My eyes whipped to my ex.

She looked appropriately sheepish, and I was seething.

Penny went to the back seat and pulled out a small plastic cage with colorful tubes sticking out of it.

Jesus.

“Isn’t it great, Daddy! I named him Cheeto.”

“Wow. Cheeto.” I swallowed hard as I fought the urge to raise my voice at Bethany. What the hell was she thinking?

“Why don’t you take him inside.”

Penny smiled at me before setting the cage down on the ground. She ran to Bethany, squeezing her middle. “Thank you, Mom.”

Over the top of Penny’s head, Bethany shot me a smug smile.

I faked a thin smile at Penny as she walked back and brought her new hamster into the house.

“Really, Beth?”

Her eyes went wide. “What?”

“A hamster? And you’re late. Three hours late.”

Bethany pursed her lips. “It took longer to buy all his supplies than I expected. It’s fine.”

“No. It’s not fine. You didn’t call. You didn’t text. Do I have to remind you that you . . .” My voice was rising, and I had to keep myself in check. I didn’t want Penny to see or hear me lose my shit at her mother.

I lowered my voice and stepped forward. “You gave up your parental rights. This weekend was because Penny means everything and she loves and misses you. I think it’s great you made an effort this weekend and got your nails done and went shopping, but you can’t buy her love, and you definitely cannot disappear for three hours without calling me. I can’t believe you thought it was okay to buy her a pet.”

Bethany let loose an annoyed sigh as she opened her car door. “Fine. Then tell her she can’t have the hamster.”

“And make me the bad guy here?” Anger and frustration wound together in my gut.

She shrugged and raised her palms as if to say, Well, if the shoe fits.

“It’s not about the fucking hamster. It’s about respect . . . and communication.”

I got an audible sigh and a heavy roll of her eyes.

It hit me how different it was from the times Lark smiled and rolled hers at me. Those times were playful and lighthearted. Bethany’s dripped with impatience and disdain. Contempt.

I hated comparing the two, but my emotions peaked. I glanced up at the apartment and then over my shoulder, hoping Penny wasn’t watching me have an emotional meltdown in our driveway.

My shoulders slumped. “Look, I’m not doing this. Next time just have her home when you’re supposed to.”