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“We’ll be on our own tonight,” he said as I pressed my lips together. I nodded slowly and felt my face flush as he watched closely.
“I’ll start tomorrow morning waking up with her. What time do you go to work?” I asked as he shrugged.
“All times. I spend time at the office every day and work from home. I promised myself that I would have breakfast with her and try to be home at night. That won’t always be possible, but these years are going to fly by. I want to remember watching her grow up.”
“You’re a great father. She’s a lucky girl.” I told him as he nodded slowly.
“I try. She only has me as a parent, so I need to make it count. Having you here every day will be good for her though. Regular.” Nathan looked into my eyes again and I smiled weakly. His eyes made me feel things deep inside as I fought the urge to shiver. This was going to be hard, ignoring my attraction to this man. I had no choice to keep my job, and I forced acceptance into my thoughts as I looked down at Ella. I was here for her, not to hook up with her father.
Chapter 6: Nathan
Once we were all ready, I got Ella dressed in one of the outfits that my mom sent. It was cute with pink ruffles on the skirt and Carli squealed as she helped her get her shoes on. Mom lived in Washington and saw Carli more than she did me and Ella. I made a point of visiting her and sending the jet to bring her here as much as I could since my father died six years ago. Mom volunteered for two animal shelters and stayed busy, so it was only every couple of months or so.
“Let’s go,” I said as we all gathered in the living room. We walked out to the garage and Carli buckled Ella into her car seat, claiming the back seat so she could see as much as her niece as possible today. I watched as Riley slid into the passenger seat, mesmerized by her soft hair tumbling over her shoulders. She was beautiful. I started the car and pulled out of the garage, down the long driveway to the main road.
I headed into Carlsbad to Carli’s favorite place for brunch. It was a place with equal amounts of seats outside as well as inside that served great breakfast and lunch. W
hen I parked, I noticed Riley looking around curiously. Carli waited until the car stopped before she got Ella out of the car and pointed towards the water. There was a small, picturesque beach several feet away, and I knew that we’d go there after we ate. We always did.
I led the way inside, asking for a table outside as the hostess nodded. I came here a lot and tried to forget the fact that I’d kissed her one night when I was drunk at a bar. She turned into a bit of a stalker after that before I had to set her straight. I could see the want in her eyes now as she called out someone’s name to seat us.
Fuck. I was such an asshole. It was a good thing that I didn’t sleep with her as well. I tried to ignore her dark eyes burning into me as I glanced at Riley to see if she’d noticed. She was talking with Carli as we made our way to the table outside and didn’t seem to be aware of anything.
We ordered water and a juice for Ella before Riley picked up the menu. She looked over the choices with a pleased expression on her face and Carlie merely picked up hers and glanced at it. She always ordered the surf and turf plate while I chose the seafood salad and soup. “What do you think you’re going to get?”
“The seafood salad. Is it good?” She asked as Carli stared at me.
“I always order that with the French onion soup. It’s my weakness.” I confessed as she smiled. The waitress walked over and we all ordered, and I asked for kids plate of fish and chips for Ella. I knew that I would be eating most of it, but I always ordered for her. Riley pulled her hair into a band as the wind blew it around her face with a smile, staring at the ocean. The waitress walked away, and Riley sipped her water as she looked around.
“This is a nice place. It’s so relaxing eating by the water.” I looked at her in surprise, wondering if she didn’t get to enjoy life this way too often. I know that I didn’t.
“You don’t do this often, living here?” Carli asked as she stared at Riley.
“I was always working. I didn’t have the time. This job is a dream,” Riley smiled shyly at me. “I get to see the sights along with Ella.”
In that moment, I knew that I picked the right person to take care if my daughter.
We enjoyed our lunch as we chatted, taking time to enjoy it. I noted that my sister and Riley got on well together and I hoped that she’d visit more. I didn’t see my family enough. Mom would like Riley as well. She’d try to play matchmaker just like Carli did and drive me crazy, but she’d love Riley.
I carried a sleepy Ella to the car and secured her in the seat as Carli smiled and slipped into the back again. Riley slipped into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt as she smiled over at me. I started the car and drove to the airport, watching the cars ahead of me as I thought over the next few days. Riley would be on her own with Ella, but I wasn’t worried. They would figure something out together and my house might feel like a family lived in it again. I liked that idea.
We walked as far into the airport as they’d allow us and all hugged Carli goodbye. I was last, and my sister looked into my eyes with a smile.
“She’s great, Than. She’s going to be good for you and Ella.” Carli hugged me tightly. “Don’t fuck this up when it turns into something.”
“If,” I corrected her as she pulled away and shook her head at me. She called Ella over to her again who had woken up in the car in a bad mood. I didn’t like to wake her normally but today was special. She walked over to Carli and hugged her as my sister picked her up to hold her tight. I walked over to stand with Riley, who was just watching them.
“It’s too bad that she doesn’t live here,” Riley told me as she leaned against a pole. “They’re so cute together.”
“Carli makes it here a lot. I might be going back home to see them for Christmas this year as well.” I smiled and glanced at her. “You’ll be with your sister?”
“I always am. The kids… you know how that goes.” He nodded.
“Everything is about that little girl. She’s the reason that I wake up every day, go to work and everything else. I am so glad that I have you to be here for her now. I’ve wanted something stable for her since everything happened.” I felt Riley’s eyes on me and gazed at her for a moment.
“Thank you. You’ve changed my life.” We both watched as Carli set Ella down and told her something before standing up. She blew me a kiss and waved at Riley before heading towards the escalator to catch her plane. I grabbed Emma’s hand as she walked over while Riley took the other.
“I suppose we’re done here,” I said as I squeezed her tiny hand. “Let’s go home.” We walked back out to the car, and I buckled Ella into her car seat before taking the driver’s seat. “What do you want to do tonight?”
