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I was impressed he had the money to buy and renovate a house while I struggled to save money for a bigger place.
“I’m excited to get started.”
“What do you have planned?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“I want to do the kitchen and bathrooms, the flooring, and paint.”
“Wow. That’s a lot. But it’s going to look amazing when it’s done.” The home was older, but that meant the neighborhood had mature trees, and his lot backed to trees. He had a nice, flat yard that was perfect for kids to play in. There wasn’t a fence, but then he didn’t need one living here alone.
“Can I help?“ Evie asked.
“Leo said you could help with theplayhouse, nothishouse.”
“I’d love to have your input. I don’t know anything about design.”
“I love lots of color,” Evie said.
I laughed. “I think you’re going to regret that offer.”
Leo ruffled Evie’s hair. “I don’t mind.”
I’d thought a lot about what it meant not to have a father or male figure in my life growing up, and it pained me to think I was creating the same experience for Evie. But that didn’t mean I needed to find a guy to fill that hole. It hadn’t worked for my mother, and it wouldn’t work for me. Evie would be okay if it was just me and her.
I assumed we’d be the best of friends, and we’d weather everything together, but Leo was making me think of other possibilities. One where I opened my heart to the right guy, and he loved me and my daughter. It was ridiculous and went against everything I’d ever told myself. Or maybe it was my mother who always said to keep your expectations low, then you won’t be disappointed. It had served me well over the years.
But being here with Leo was making me wish for a different life. One where I could have everything I’d ever wanted. Someone to love, a father figure for Evie. It was too good to be true, and when something seemed that way, you had to trust your instincts.
“We should get going,” I said, brushing the crumbs off the counter and dumping them in the garbage. I put away the box of crackers in his pantry and put Evie’s cup in the sink.
Evie’s face fell. “But I’m still hungry.”
“You want to get some pizza at the restaurant?” Leo asked.
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” I said at the same time Evie said, “Pizza!”
“How can you be hungry? You just ate,” I asked her.
Leo waved a hand in the air. “I’ll follow you back, and we can grab a pizza to go or sit in the dining room.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked when Evie ran to grab her shoes she’d left by the slider.
“I’m not ready for the day to be over,” Leo said.
Pleasure filled my chest, but before I could ask what that meant, Evie was next to us. “Can we go?”
“Sure. Let’s get in the car.” We went outside. I was parked in front of the garage, and Leo was parked inside.
On the drive over, I wondered what I was doing getting involved with Leo. Maybe he was just being nice. He was just doing what he would for Gia if she had a child.
But I couldn’t stop my heart from longing for a different reason. That he’d finally noticed me and wanted me.
I parked at the back of the lot, not wanting to take a closer spot from a customer.
“You know you can park closer. There’s no point in walking farther with Evie or when you have groceries. You live here.”
“I don’t want to cause any problems with the customers who are coming to eat. It’s not a big deal.” Making myself small had been an unfortunate habit over the years. I wasn’t sure it was healthy, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself from doing it.
“You want to eat pizza in the dining room or take it to go?” Leo asked Evie.
