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I brush my hand through my hair and rub at my neck, thinking of Emma and Charlotte.
"She's different. I can't explain it."
My mom's lips curl into a brief side smile. "You don't have to explain it; feelings aren't always explainable."
"She has a daughter, Mom. What if I mess up the kid by dating her mother?"
She gazes up at me. "Nick, sweetheart, you don't mess up a child by dating his or her mother. You mess up if you mistreat a child, but you, my dear boy, don't have the heart to do that." She pauses. "Do you want advice from your dear old mom?"
I smile and give a minor nod, urging her to continue.
"If your feelings for this woman are this strong, you owe it to yourself to pursue it—explore further. Otherwise, you'll end up regretting it. I understand your confusion, but maybe this woman feels the same." My mom leans over and places a kiss on my cheek. "Let's get inside and grab another cup of coffee. Amanda won't start again, I promise. I threatened if she continued, she has to eat the cake."
I turn my head to look at my mom. "I'd love to see that. Hey, I can tell her Brian asked about her last night," I tease.
"Nick!" she says, pointing her index finger towards me. "Don't you dare start that. If you do, I'll sit you both down at the kitchen table and make you eat my cake."
I can't help but throw my head back and laugh at my mom's reaction. "Okay, I surrender. My taste buds can't take another bite of that." She gives me a playful slap on my arm, and we walk back into the house.
* * *
Finally,the last cake! My hand brushes over my face as I let out a tired puff. I had to make and deliver ten cakes. Typically, that isn't a problem, but this week it was. My mind kept playing over the argument I had with Alisha, causing me to mess up a cake by adding salt instead of sugar. And every night, I wake up with an ache between my legs and a body filled with want as my dreams keep drifting to a certain man. Charlotte hasn't mentioned Nick. She stared at me a few times as if she wanted to say something, but never did.
Today it's Sunday, and I promised myself I would make this a fun day for Charlotte and me. I texted Alisha and Bella and asked them to come to the park for a picnic.
"Charlotte?" I call out.
Moments later, my girl runs into the kitchen, and when her attention falls on the basket, a smile lights up her face.
"Are we going on a picnic?"
"Yes, we are. If you want to?"
"Are we going to the park with the swings and the duck pond?" Her excitement is almost palpable.
"That's the plan."
She runs towards me and throws her arms around my waist. "Thank you, Mommy."
"Put on your shoes. I have another surprise waiting in the park."
Charlotte's eyes enlarge.
"I'll be right back!" she shouts as she runs to get her shoes.
"Where's the surprise?"Charlotte asks when we get to the park.
I scan the area and point to the two familiar figures standing on the grass by the trees. Charlotte gazes, and when she sees Alisha and Bella waving, she spurts off towards them.
She hugs both, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of my best friends with my daughter. As I come closer, Bella is the first one that looks at me, and when our eyes meet, there's nothing but love and kindness.
"I'm sorry." It's the first thing that pops out of my mouth.
Bella's eyes blink with relief. "I'm sorry too, Emma. We never wanted to upset you."
My eyes glance over to Alisha, who is looking at us with a wait-and-see attitude that's typical of her personality.
"My head's out of the sand," I say, giving Alisha a cautious smile.
