AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Daddy!”
I reluctantly pull my eyes away from Audrey and take a step back. My entire body tenses as I watch Jade come running toward me. She is the spitting image of her mother, with the same long dark hair and lithe form. The only thing she inherited from me is the color of my eyes; the rest is all her mother.
I wonder what she would think seeing me this close to another woman. Will she be angry or upset at the idea of bringing someone else into our lives? Worried that I was forgetting her mother? I brace myself for her harsh words, but then I catch sight of the bright smile as it spreads across her face, setting me at ease almost immediately.
“Hey, baby girl. How did you know I was here?” I smile at Jade before wrapping my arms around her and planting a kiss on the top of her head.
“I had no idea you’d be here, but I’d be lying if I said I was surprised.” She rises on her toes and plants a kiss on my cheek. “I had to show my new friend where this place was. Selina told us her mom said to meet her here.”
“That was nice of you. How was class today?”
“It was amazing! I’m so excited about tryouts in a few weeks. I’m a shoo-in for the lead role.” She pulls from my embrace and turns to address a girl standing next to her. “No offense, Love. If you got the part, I’d be happy for you. But I really want the lead role this year.”
The girl replies with a bright smile. “None taken. Although I doubt I’d get it anyway.”
“Don’t talk like that, sweetie. You’re an amazing dancer. They’d be lucky to have you as the lead,” Audrey chimes in as she wraps the young girl in her arms, pulling her tightly against her chest.
“It’s nice to meet you, Love. I’m Connor, Jade’s Dad.” I hold my hand out for her to shake.
She gives me a skeptical look before tentatively shaking my hand. “What were you two doing before we arrived?”
“Talking,” I respond quickly, not knowing how to describe what had just happened between Audrey and me.
“That looked like a lot more than just talking…” Jade raises her eyebrow at me, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Yes, just talking,” Audrey squeaks, picking up her mug and finishing the contents in one swallow. “It was nice meeting you, Connor, but we have to get going.”
“Bye, Jade.” Love waves at both of us over her shoulder before following Audrey out the door.
I realize I have no way to get a hold of her. Should I have asked for her phone number? Her email address? Is that even what people do these days? I don’t have theslightest clue how to go about getting to know a woman or even why I’m so interested in this complete stranger. No one has ever piqued my interest the way Audrey has after only speaking to her for a few minutes. Could it be something as simple as her being a new face in town, or could it be something more?
People have been telling me for years that I shouldn’t close myself off to love just because Lydia passed away, but is it really okay for me to be feeling like this? Is the desire I already feel toward Audrey only natural? A part of me sees my entire interaction with Audrey as wrong, that I’m betraying the memory of Lydia and the love we shared because of a pretty face and a gorgeous smile. Lydia meant the world to me. She was the person I promised to spend the rest of my life loving, the mother of my child, but there’s another part of me that wants to explore the connection between Audrey and me.
“Earth to Dad?” Jade’s voice brings me back to the present. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Bristol called and told me her friend had arrived. When I saw someone in the coffee shop I didn’t recognize, I assumed it was her and introduced myself. I was just being friendly.”
“Yeah, sure.” Jade pats my arm before pointing toward the bag sitting on the table. “Is that for me?”
“Yes,” I respond quickly, grabbing the bag and handing it to her.
“Good. First, tell me whatever it is that’s going to upset me, and then you can tell me everything thathappened between you and Love’s mom.” Jade walks around the table and drops into Audrey’s vacant seat.
“I was just introducing myself.”
“Tell that to someone who doesn’t know you, Dad. The way you were looking at Audrey seemed like a lot more than just being friendly.”
“And what if it was?”
“More than just being friendly?” she questions, taking a sip of her drink.
I nod my head, wanting to know what Jade thinks about me finding another woman attractive. It’s always been us against the world. What she thinks about whatever just happened between Audrey and me is important. One word from her and this thing could end before it even has a chance to get started.
“Then you definitely need to tell me everything that happened because you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
“Either way, Squirt, I need to stop at the yoga studio and look at Bristol’s thermostat. She said it wasn’t working. Can we table this conversation for later?”
“Yes, but don’t think I’m going to forget.” She huffs, grabbing her coffee and treat off the stable and heading toward the door.
