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“No, daddy, I miss you.” Tash whines. “Please.”
When I look at Emmi, she keeps her eyes on the kitchen table, staying out of this. Smart woman. When it comes to me and my daughter, Tash will always win.
“Fine.” I agree, and pile the salad into the bowl. “But I do have more work to do tonight.”
“That’s okay.” Tash nods, slurping up red sauce. “Wait!” She throws her little hands out, and I nearly drop the tongs. “Did you wash your paws?”
“Did I what?”
“Your paws, daddy. Can’t eat until you do.”
I turn to Emmi, who’s hiding a smile behind her hands. “She’s right, Mr. Ryan. You’ve got to wash your paws before you eat.”
“Yes, I washed my hands.” I don’t mean to sound so sharp, I soften my voice. “I always wash my hands before I eat. See?” I hold them up for Tash to examine.
“Looks good. Daddy guess what? Emmi said we can play princess before bed.”
Emmi lowers her hands, but doesn’t meet my eyes when she speaks. “I tried to tell her the villains are cooler than princesses, but she insisted.” A tiny hint of cleavage billows from the top of her black t-shirt that she wears off the shoulder, eighties style. This woman is not my type at all. I’ve never been into that look, but there’s something about Emmi that takes my breath away. I wonder if her bra and panties are black, too.
“I don’t like bad guys.” Tash says.
“They’re not exactly bad, Tash. They’re just troubled people who do bad things.” I remain quiet, this conversation too interesting to interrupt.
“Scar’s bad. He killed his brother.” Tash says.
“Well, Scar’s a lion and yes he did bad things. But, he did it because he’s mad that his brother got to be king and he was stuck with those stinky hyenas.” Emmi scrunches up her nose and walks her fingers across the table until she tickles Tash’s arm. Tash giggles and my heart swells. Emmi is so good with her, and Tash needs that.
“You went to your bakery, I assume?” I ask.
Emmi nods. Tiny strands of blonde hair have fallen from her bun, framing her face. “It’s my sisters’ bakery, but yeah.”
“What sweet treat did you have?” My eyes burn into her, imagining what it would feel like to run my lips over the curve of her neck.
“Just coffee for me. I’ve had more than my fair share of baked goods in the last few months.”
“I bet.”
“But, we did bring home cookies, right Tash?”
“Yeppers.” Tash sings.
I huff out a little laugh. But a strange feeling washes over me. I haven’t sat down like this for a family dinner since the divorce. Tash was still in her high chair back then. Now, she’s a little lady. Time flies when you’re mourning a failed relationship, and substituting that loss with work.
“So, you do construction?” Emmi interrupts my thoughts.
“Yeah.” I nod, not really wanting to talk about what I do for a living. “It’s pretty dull, actually.”
“I hear you’re working on the subdivision outside of town.”
“How did you hear that?”
“My sister is dating Nick Danvers.”
“He’s the eyes and ears of this town, I tell you.” I take a bite, pleased with my ability to cook red sauce from near scratch thanks to my grandmother. “I didn’t know your sister and him were dating.”
“All of my sisters moved to this town and fell in love.”
“All of them but you?” The words tumble from my lips before I can stop them. Heat rises in my chest. My heart races. Maybe I don’t want to know the answer to this.
