13
Tessa
Dylan looked weary and sad when I’d first peeked through the blanket hanging over the furniture to see him enter the house. When he bent down to come into the fort, I saw the father who loved his daughter more than life itself.
He looked at me when I asked if he wanted tea and something flashed in his eyes. I wanted to believe he had an epiphany and realized I could be a woman who cared for him, but that was stupid.
“I’d love some tea.”
Our fort was spacious for me and little Maisie, but Dylan was humongous. Or maybe it was just the tight quarters that had me close enough to feel his warmth and inhale his sexy scent. It made me yearn for what I couldn’t have. Because that hurt, I wanted to get away.
“I’ll tell you what. You have a tea party with Miss Maisie and Mr. Whiskers, and I’ll go whip you guys up something for dinner.”
“Can we eat in here? Pahllleeeesssseeee?” Maisie clasped her hands over her heart and looked at me and then Dylan.
He looked at me. “Is it conducive to fort eating?”
“Ah … how about grilled cheese?” That seemed fairly safe.
“Yes. I love grilled cheese,” Maisie bounced, her little head poking the blanket roof.
“Grilled cheese it is.” I started to crawl out.
“Why don’t you stay and eat with us?” Dylan said before I could stand.
I looked into the fort, surprised by his offer.
“Yes. Stay, Tessa.” Maisie said. “Mr. Whiskers wants you to stay too.”
I smiled, even though inside I hurt a little bit, because I knew he was being nice. His offer didn’t mean he wanted me. “Yes, that would be fun.”
I whipped up four grilled cheeses, including one for Mr. Whiskers knowing Dylan would eat it. I also cut up some fruit and made a veggie plate as I knew Dylan always wanted Maisie to have fruits and vegetables with her meals. I put everything on a tray and carried it to the fort, where I heard Maisie and Dylan chatting away. I hated how much I wanted to be a part of them.
“Knock, knock,” I said. “Food delivery.”
“What service,” Dylan said, reaching out and taking the tray from me.
I crawled in but sat near the door, ready to make my exit when the fun and games were over.
We ate together, and each bite was harder to swallow than the one before as we interacted like a family and yet, we weren’t one. At least, I wasn’t a part of it.
When the food was done and it was time to clean up, I told Dylan I’d clean up the dishes while he gave Maisie her bath.
“Thank you, Tessa, really. I don’t know how I’d manage without you.”
I liked being appreciated. At least he recognized my contribution, even if he didn’t care for me like I did for him.
“Listen, don’t go when you’re done. I’d like to talk to you after I get Maisie to bed, if you have time. Do you have a date or something?” His expression looked apprehensive at that last question.
“No. I have no plans tonight.”
“Tomorrow night?”
I shook my head. Jared hadn’t called since the night we’d hung out, so apparently I didn’t have the opportunity, as Dylan might describe it. Just as well, since I didn’t have the desire for him either.
“No,” I said, wondering about his interest in my personal life. Maybe he just wanted to know I had a new guy to help alleviate his guilt about w
hat had happened between us. “I can stay.” I figured he either wanted to give me an update on the custody case or perhaps fire me since it was so weird to work for him since I’d given him my virginity.