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Smart man.
We help Brielle play and win points on the Pinball machine, but before long, she’s yawning. Dean must notice at the same time and glances down at his watch.
“Wow, I can’t believe it’s already seven thirty. Someone’s already late for her bath.”
“Daddy, I want to stay and play with Payton som’ore!”
He gives her a pointed, very stern look. “Not tonight. It’s getting late and you have school in the morning.”
“But Daddy…” Brielle whines, her gorgeous brown eyes filling with tears.
Dean’s about to open his mouth, most likely to reprimand her for her fit, when my own mouth opens involuntarily. “Sorry, sweet girl, but it’s getting close to my bedtime too. Us girls have to have our beauty sleep, you know?”
She gazes up at me with big, wide eyes. “Okay,” she whispers, sniffling before any tears can fall.
I turn to head back to our table to grab my things when I feel her small hand slip into mine. Looking down, I’m in awe at the sight. Her little hand fits perfectly inside of mine and suddenly, I’m fighting off my own tears. She stares up at me with so much trust and innocence that it makes my heart lurch and slam into my rib cage somewhat painfully.
Slowly, I glance over my shoulder and come face to face with Dean’s equally surprised face. He glances down and stares softly at our entwined hands, the faintest of smiles creeping across his lips. Me, on the other hand, suddenly feel like I’m about to have a heart attack.
“Come on, Payton,” Brielle says, taking a step forward and pulling me towards our table. I follow willingly because I’m pretty sure, in this moment and every one that would follow, I’d do whatever this little girl wanted.
We’re all quiet as we grab jackets and get ready to head out into the night. Dean settles the bill and refuses to let me pay for half of dinner. I argue my point that this wasn’t a date, but it falls on deaf ears. Dean is adamantly shaking his head, refusing to listen, and Brielle is watching our exchange with a smile. Realizing I’m not getting anywhere, I settle for leaving the tip.
Outside, there’s a slight breeze blowing off the Bay. Together, we all make our way towards the small lot beside the pizzeria where I parked my car beside Dean’s. When we get there, I’m not sure what to do. He seems to be hesitant to say goodbye, and Brielle’s grip on my hand tightens when we reach the vehicles.
“It was very nice meeting you, Brielle. I hope to see you again soon,” I say, giving her a smile.
“Tomorrow? Can you come to my house and play with my stuffed animals?”
“Not tomorrow, sweetheart. It’s a school night. I’m sure we’ll see Payton soon,” her father chimes in while opening up the door to the back where her booster seat is located.
Bri stomps her foot on the concrete and crosses her arms. “When?”
Dean mimics the move and stands his ground. “I don’t know. This is not how a polite little lady behaves, missy.”
Defeat pours from her little body like a faucet as her shoulders droop. Bri turns to look at me, wrapping her arms firmly around my waist. “Bye, Payton.”
“Goodbye, Bri. I had lots of fun with you tonight,” I say, hugging the little girl.
“When it’s not a school night, you should come over and play with my animals with me. We can color and draw too. I love to draw kittens. And my daddy can make grilled cheese sammiches ‘cause those are my favorite.”
Giving her another warm smile, I respond, “Those are my favorite too.”
As if my simple statement satisfies her, she climbs inside the car and sits in her seat. Dean helps secure her in the seatbelt before turning back towards me. “I’ll walk you around to your car.”
“You don’t have to do that. She’s ready to go,” I say, nodding towards the little girl already playing with some stuffed animals in the back of the car.
“Bri, I’ll be right back. I’m going to walk Payton around to her car. I’ll be there,” he says, pointing to my car parked right next to his.
“Okay.”
Without saying a word, he places his hand at the base of my spine and leads me towards my driver’s door one car over. Warmth spreads up my back and makes all my limbs tingle. My reaction to him is weird. I’ve never felt this instant connection with someone before, this all-consuming desire that steamrolls my entire being when he’s around. And I’m not talking about sex, even though that’s pretty freaking spectacular. I’m talking about him. Just his presence.
“Thank you for coming to dinner with us.”
“Thank you for inviting me. Well, for agreeing after your daughter invited me,” I add with a laugh.
“She has great taste, what can I say,” he says with a smile. When it falls from his lips, he steps forward, completely invading my personal space. “I wasn’t planning on introducing you to my daughter like this, but I’m glad it happened.”
