The Single Dad (The Dalton Brothers 3)

“To one delicious pancake party, my little one,” Dominick said as he held Everly in his arms, clinking his Bloody Mary against Everly’s lidded plastic cup of orange juice.

Since Jo, Kendall, and Hannah were drinking mimosas, she wanted to be just like the girls—even if orange juice wasn’t her favorite.

“Uncle D, you didn’t hit my cup hard enough. I wanna feel the slosh inside.”

“Let me fix that,” Dominick replied, making a new attempt, which caused a few drops of his Bloody Mary to splash on the lid of Everly’s cup.

“Maybe that was a little too hard.” Eve giggled.

Our breakfast had been perfect. Everyone had shown up when they’d promised, even Craig, our chef—giving me a chance to hang with my family rather than spend the whole morning in the kitchen.

The smile on Eve’s face told me how happy she was.

“Eve, your uncle is hogging you,” Kendall said as she sat next to Dominick on the couch. She held out her arms and added, “When is it my turn to snuggle with you?”

“Now,” Eve sang, climbing onto Kendall’s lap. “Yippee!”

Kendall straightened the bottom of Everly’s skirt, fluffing it even higher. “I’m obsessed with your tutu.”

Man, I was so lucky to have Kendall, Jo, and Hannah in my family; they were such amazing motherly figures in Everly’s life.

“Hannah gave it to me. Isn’t it the bestest thing ever?”

“It sure is,” Kendall agreed.

My family spoiled her rotten. I couldn’t keep track of all the gifts and purchases. Even today, Dominick had bought Everly pink roses—her favorite. Jenner had brought some fancy hot chocolate to go with her pancakes that had colorful marshmallows and sprinkles. I had no idea where he’d found that shit before ten in the morning, but leave it to my brothers.

My daughter relished in the role as the only kid in our family. But I would make sure, as she got older, that this position didn’t affect her personality. That she didn’t just expect everything to be handed to her, that she appreciated what came her way instead.

Above anything, my child was going to be humble.

And even now, as she got almost everything she wanted, there was such kindness inside her, such generosity when it came to the people she cared about. The way she gazed at Kendall, how she hugged her with all the strength in her tiny body, how she played with Kendall’s hair.

That was the way Eve showed love.

And when she loved, she loved hard.

“So …” I heard Jenner whisper behind me, pulling my attention away from Eve. “Did you ever invite her over?”

I turned around to face him. “Who?”

“You know exactly who the fuck I’m talking about.”

My hand went into my hair as I sighed loud enough for him to hear. “Yeah. I texted her.”

“And?”

“Jesus, you’re really starting with me? Again?”

“If roles were reversed—and they were—you’d be doing the same thing. For what you put me through with Jo, I owe you a lifetime of shit, so, yes, I’m starting, and I don’t plan to stop.”

I shook my head, remembering, preparing myself for the amount of pressure he was about to lay on. “We exchanged a few texts, but I didn’t invite her over.”

“She’s already met Everly, so what’s the problem?”

“What’s the problem?” I mocked. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” I didn’t wait for him to respond before I continued, “If anything, I’ll take her out on a date, but our second time together isn’t going to be a family gathering with my daughter.”

“You’re wasting time, Ford.” He glanced at Everly and then back to me. “When I suggested inviting that girl over, it wasn’t just for your benefit, but for Eve’s too. I’m looking out for the both of you.”

“And the best thing for us is Sydney?” I tested.

He finished his Bloody Mary just as Craig brought us another round, and he took a bite of the celery, swallowing before he said, “What are you afraid of? Things not working out?”

My hands began to shake as my memory brought me back to a day I didn’t like to revisit. “What would I tell her then? Another woman had left her life?” I took a long drink. “Do you think that’s easy for me?”

“You can’t compare the two situations.”

“But I can.” I took a deep breath. “And I will.”

Anger pulsed through my chest.

Jenner didn’t get it.

Neither did Dominick.

They could love Everly endlessly, they could put her first, they could protect her with their lives, but they didn’t carry my pain. They also wouldn’t have to live with the guilt of intentionally bringing someone around Everly and dealing with the ramifications when the relationship didn’t work out.

The questions.

The sadness.

No one was ever going to hurt my daughter again—at least, not if I could help it.

And in this situation, I had all the power.

“You can’t compare every woman who comes into her life to your baby mama—”

“Jenner,” I practically fucking growled, “we don’t talk about her, especially not near Everly. Ever.” I handed him my cocktail, knowing I needed something much stiffer, and I announced to the group, “I’m going to go grab a drink. I’ll be back.”

I stopped at the bar in my man cave and poured myself some whiskey. Rather than rejoining my family, I went outside onto the patio and walked to the edge of the pool deck, taking in the view that overlooked the Hills.

I knew Jenner hadn’t intentionally pissed me off, but Rebecca was a topic I didn’t discuss.

Listening to the boys push me about women was a hard fucking limit for me.

They acted as though I didn’t want one in my life.

As though I wanted to be single forever.

That wasn’t the case.

I just wouldn’t put myself first.

Those days were long over.

The vibration in my pocket pulled me from my thoughts. I took out my phone, and my assistant’s name was on the screen.

I held it up to my ear and said, “Morning. I hope you have good news for me.”

“I have three interviews lined up. All of the nannies look extremely impressive on paper. Each not only met my criteria, but exceeded it as well.”

“Excellent.”

“If I’m as pleased with them in person, I’ll set up a time for you to interview them. Would you like that to take place at the office or at home so they’re able to interact with Everly?”

“We’ll start at the office. If I like what I see, I’ll have them meet my girl.”