Daddy in Disguise (Crescent Cove 7)

The corner of Macy’s mouth lifted, and for a second, I thought I might get an actual smile out of her. Then her expression turned as remote as a mask.

“You’re a little older than me.”

“Not that much. And yes, I have a kid, which I didn’t advertise on my T-shirt.”

“No, you sure didn’t. You also didn’t mention it tonight, before we…” She forced out the word as if it burned her tongue. “Kissed.”

“Yes, we kissed, and it was incredible.” I stepped closer to her and her pupils widened. But she didn’t hiss like an angry feline to ward me off, so I figured I was doing okay. “I wasn’t thinking about my daughter in that moment. I wasn’t thinking about anything except tasting your lips and seeing if they’d be tart or sweet.”

She cocked her head, challenge written in every line of her gorgeous body. “So, what’s the verdict?”

“Both. You’re always both, which is why I keep coming back. I know you have layers beneath your crusty exterior, and I’m just ornery enough to be curious about what they are.” Another step. “See, I’m observant enough to know that the more levels to a person, the deeper the reason why.”

“I’m not some book for you to analyze. I just don’t like bullshit. My life is simple and straightforward and that’s the only kind of people I allow into it. What I have no time for? Lies. Head games. And—”

“Kids,” I finished before she could kill anything from happening between us again. If that hadn’t happened already. “I don’t know what your issue is with them, and frankly, I don’t care. I love my daughter, and she’s a fucking awesome kid who deserves more than to be tolerated. The worst of it is? I think you guys would actually get along really well.”

Macy seemed to be on the verge of saying something, then she shook her head and waited me out. So, I might as well put it all on the table.

“Dani wanted to build a pillow fort tonight and watch that crazy movie The Borg. Right up your alley, huh? More yours than mine. But I wouldn’t dream of inflicting her on you.” I pushed past her and walked toward the back door. “Goodnight, Macy.” I slammed the door shut behind me.

Only when I was already to my truck did I realize I’d left behind my tools and my laptop. I was pretty sure that wasn’t the only thing I’d left behind in there either.

She had a piece of my heart or my head or somewhere directly south. Maybe all three. I hadn’t begun to figure out exactly what Macy Devereaux’s hold on me was.

Now I probably never would.

Three

When I got home, Dani was asleep on the couch.

“She got too wound up, I think,” Karen said apologetically, as if it was her fault my daughter had checked out.

I walked over to where Dani was sprawled on the sofa. She’d moved her left leg out from under the knitted throw our neighbor had made for her, and it was propped on a footstool that was slightly higher than the cushions. Her foot had some bruising beneath the Ace bandage, but her ankle didn’t appear hugely swollen or misshapen. I’d imagined all sorts of things on the drive back from The Haunt.

Only a third of them were about Macy and how quickly she’d forget this night had even occurred.

“How did she sprain her ankle riding her bike and not her wrist?”

Karen shrugged. “Freak thing. That kid Toby said she rolled it when she went to stand up after flying through the air.”

I shut my eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. I did not want to think about my daughter flying anywhere, thank you.

“What were those good drugs she was talking about? She’s a kid, for Pete’s sake.” I’d managed not to swear, although it had been a close thing.

“Ibuprofen. She thought it was a big deal, but yeah, that’s all they gave her and all they recommended for pain. And when she’s awake, icing for thirty minutes every four hours for three days, depending on how badly she’s swelling.” Karen pulled out a sheet from her purse. “Here’s some mild exercises she can do until the follow-up with the doctor. You’ll want to call yours tomorrow.” Nervously, she cleared her throat and fussed with her hair. “Sir.”

I set aside the sheet of exercises. I’d look at those when I wasn’t cross-eyed from fatigue. “What did I tell you about calling me sir?”

“Not to do it.” She let out a little giggle and ducked her head. “I can’t help it, sir.”

Karen was a college student at nearby Syracuse University. She was shy and sweet and had been Dani’s babysitter for over a year now. When I couldn’t be home with Dani, I trusted Karen implicitly. If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been anywhere near my daughter, especially alone.

“Well, cut it out already. Thanks for all your help this evening. I’m sorry my phone was off. I don’t know how it happened, but I’ll be more mindful next time.”

Except if I hadn’t accidentally turned it off, the moment with Macy probably never would have happened. I would’ve rushed off to be with Dani, and Macy wouldn’t know I had the audacity to be a father.

God forbid.