Dirty Laundry (Get Dirty 2)

Carsen nods, stepping back before coming closer again to hug me tightly. “I missed you.”

I hug her back, kissing the top of her head before looking up to see Sarah watching us with a smile on her face. “How was it?”

“Good,” I reply, letting go of Carsen and putting my backpack down. “I’ll get that later. Let’s see, my weekend . . .”

I give Carsen and Sarah a rundown of what’s happened the past forty-eight hours, a heavily edited version, of course. “And after the pancakes, I dropped Elise off at her place so she could start work on her story,” I finish, leaning back and sipping the Coke Sarah got me while I was telling Carsen about cooking chili. “Like I said, it was fun.”

“So, do you like her? Is she your girlfriend now?” Carsen asks.

I take another sip of Coke and lean forward, watching Carsen carefully. “Do you like her? Because yes, I like her a lot.”

Carsen smiles, nodding. “She’s cool, Dad.”

“Remember, baby, that no matter how much I like Elise, you’re always my number one girl, right?”

Carsen rolls her eyes, and I feel like sometimes she thinks I’m about fifty years older than I actually am. “I know that! But I want you to have more than just me and Aunt Sarah.”

I reach out, and Carsen comes over, plopping into my lap. She used to fit on one thigh, snuggling up to my side to watch cartoons. Now, she’s tall and all gangly limbs, but I’ll happily hold my little girl anytime she’ll let me, knowing it’s getting more and more rare as she gets older. She’s wise beyond her years sometimes, and it strikes me just how fast she’s growing up. “I love you, Carsen.”

She looks at me, no doubt in her mind. “I know, Dad. I love you too.”

Behind her, I see Sarah give us a nod and get up. “Think I’ll start dinner for tonight. How’s my famous biscuits and gravy sound?”

“Awesome!” Carsen says. “Uhh . . . so does that mean I have to go do my homework now?”

“You’d better,” I mock growl, making Carsen bounce up and run off with a laugh. I laugh too and watch her disappear before looking at Sarah.

“So you were fine taking care of her this weekend?” I ask her as soon as Carsen’s out of earshot.

“You know I adore that girl. Don’t you even think about that. Carsen’s right. Elise is good for you.” Her tone takes a more serious note. “If she’s it, you need to circle the wagons, make sure she fits with you and Carsen. Dinner went well, but you need more time together. Both you and her, and the three of you.”

“The four of us, you mean. You’re a huge part of this too, Sarah. Carsen has only had you as a mother figure. I don’t want to ever replace that, but I want to see if this can go somewhere. Who knows, maybe add to our ragtag motley crew.”

Sarah reaches up to hug me, lightly kissing my cheek. “I like that plan. Let’s see if we can do dinner this week . . . the four of us.”

Chapter 19

Elise

Checking my dress, I realize that I’m even more nervous than when I came to interview Keith the first time.

I know why. I feel like this is a test. Dinner before was to make sure I’d keep my mouth shut. Then, this thing between Keith and I was . . . physical, primal, but not emotional.

This is more personal. This is to see if my edges fit in with Keith’s family and their edges. Figuring out if it’s an easy, smooth fit or a forced one that leads to friction and fraying. I’m praying it’s the former, because I really like Keith. It is emotional now.

Hell, I’m pretty sure I more than “like” him, even if I’m not ready to put a label that big on it yet. But I will admit, to myself, at least, that I want to see where this goes . . . beyond the interviews, beyond casual hookups. I want to see him as a father and get to know Carsen and Sarah more, because they’re important to Keith and that means they’re important to me.

And hence the nerves. We’re not doing anything fancy, just a casual dinner at a restaurant near downtown. But I want this to go well. Really well.

Walking in, I’m suddenly unsure whether Keith would’ve given his real name. “Uh, hi, I’m supposed to meet someone here at seven?” I tell the bored looking hostess. “I don’t know what name it’s under though.”

“You can check,” the hostess replies, waving a hand vaguely behind her. I look around, and after two passes, I see Keith sitting in a back corner, facing the wall. I’d know that bald head and set of wide shoulders anywhere. Plus, the fact that Carsen is waving wildly at me is a sure tip-off. But I don’t see Sarah. I hope she’s here.