Sweet Tooth (Little Cakes, #11)(8)

“Three years old?”

“Yes. Skates on concrete are a bit different than sharp blades on ice. The ground doesn’t give like ice does.”

“You know how to skate?”

“I do. But I don’t know this park. Want to show me around?” Tom suggested, holding out his hand.

“Let’s go!” Elizabeth was so excited. Linking her fingers with his, she headed for the big square in the middle of the park. Sometimes musicians would set up in the clearing to entertain and collect money. She wanted to share the fun with Tom.

When a blast of cold water spattered over her T-shirt, Tom skated forward slightly to block the source—a child with a water gun. Elizabeth held the now clinging shirt away from her bra.

A young mother rushed forward. “I’m so sorry. I’ve told Wally not to spray anyone. He was targeting the flower on the other side of the path and you zoomed right through the middle of it.”

“No harm done, ma’am,” Tom said after checking that Elizabeth was okay. “We might have needed something to cool us off.”

Elizabeth saw the glint in his eyes and knew he was referring to the heat resulting from those kisses. She felt her face warm and knew she was blushing.

Tom guided her further down the path with a big grin on his face.

Perturbed, she turned to look over her shoulder. Elizabeth guessed the young mom was at least ten years younger than she was. Tom had called her ma’am. Was he being polite or did he think that woman was older?

“Tom, how old are you?”

“You don’t beat around the bush, do you? I’m twenty-eight.”

“Oh.” Her mind raced. She couldn’t date a younger man—especially a Daddy.

“Let me guess what you’re thinking,” Tom suggested, guiding their path over to a shaded patch of greenspace. “You’re thinking that I’m younger than you by a few insignificant years.”

“Seven is a lot. I was driving when you were in third grade. I graduated from college when you were still in elementary school,” Elizabeth said, calculating wildly in her brain.

“And when I’m seventy, you’ll be seventy-seven. Are you worried about what it will look like to others? Or are you worried about having a Daddy younger than you?”

She looked at him, unsure what to say. Elizabeth didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “Do you even know how to be a Daddy?”

“Yes.”

“That’s your entire answer?” she asked.

“Yes. Can I keep you safe? Can I play and have fun with my Little girl? Can I discipline you when you deserve it? Can I kiss you and make you love it?”

From the short amount of time they’d known each other, Elizabeth replayed all their interactions. A picture of him keeping her safe when he’d had to brake quickly flashed through her mind. And then, his strength to lift her effortlessly could definitely allow him to stretch her over his lap. Without meaning to move, Elizabeth lifted a hand to trace her lips. His kisses absolutely had been skilled.

Catching herself, she slowly lowered her hand from her mouth. She looked up to meet Tom’s gaze. The calm reassurance she felt in his regard made her take a deep breath and release it. Some of the worry flowed from her body with that exhale. She tried it again and felt even better.

“I’m an idiot, aren’t I?” she asked.

“You are very definitely not an idiot,” he corrected her with the same negative word, completely erasing her insinuation. “You are a very savvy Little girl faced with a Daddy for the first time.”

“It’s kind of off-balancing,” she admitted.

“Realize you don’t have to juggle everything on your own, Bunny. I can help with a lot of worries. Right now, I think we need to feel some air blow through our hair. Do you see that bridge up there?” he asked, pointing to a footbridge spanning a small stream.

“Yes.”

“Race you to it!” he shouted, pushing off from the ground and speeding toward the destination.

Without looking around, Elizabeth chased him. She dodged a large wolfhound who’d fallen in love with the sprinting Tom and thought it was an extremely exciting game. Her Daddy had had to stop to return him to his owner when he’d ripped his leash from her hand. He’d held tight to the leather lead to make sure Elizabeth’s wild charge didn’t distract the dog from being reunited with his owner.

My Daddy! She’d just thought of him as hers.

By the time Tom rejoined Elizabeth, she sat on the bridge railing, grinning at him. “Hey, Slowpoke. I think I’m the official winner! What do I get?”

“The winner gets to choose the prize. If it’s within my ability, it’s yours,” Tom answered.

“So you can’t make the moon always stay full or let me eat all the cupcakes I want without getting cavities or gaining an ounce,” she said, tapping on her chin as if she were trying to make a very difficult decision.

“I’ve got a great prize! How about another date?” she asked and held her breath.

“I’m extremely glad I let you win.” At Elizabeth’s loud snort challenging that statement, Tom laughed and added, “That’s a prize for me. Tomorrow, after Nibbles & Bites closes?”

“Can you take another afternoon off?” she wondered.