Curves for the Single Dad

Alone again, Tara turned her attention back to Lila. “I’m a little banged up, but I’m fine. I promise Lila.” She wrapped both arms around my daughter, wincing only a little. “It was scary but it’s over.”

Lila squeezed tight. “I knew you’d be all right. You’re like, a real life superhero.”

“Nah, if I were a superhero I might’ve had some built-in armor to protect my head from the concrete. Or my body from the car.” Her words came out easy enough, but they left me cold, just thinking of her struck by a speeding vehicle and being tossed in the air. Broken and afraid on the side of the road.

Lila giggled. “Armor would be pretty cool.”

“The coolest,” Tara agreed. “Thank you for coming to see me Lila. And for the card. You’re a good friend.”

My little girl smiled, and her tears seemed to disappear instantly as she fell against Tara once more. “I love you Tara.”

“Aw, I love you too kiddo. Now, I think you better turn those beautiful eyes to your father, he looks pretty upset that you came to see me.”

Ouch. How Tara knew, I didn’t have a clue, but I didn’t bother denying her words. I was angry. Mostly that Lila had manipulated the situation to get what she wanted, and that she was completely unprepared to lose Tara from her life. I made the right decision.

“Oh yeah,” Lila said, as if she’d forgotten I was there. With her head hung low she slid off the bed and made her way towards me. “Sorry Daddy.”

“We’ll talk about it on the way home.” I lifted my gaze and looked at Tara, really looked at her. She was pale, and despite her inner strength, she looked frail. Fragile. “I’m glad you’re okay, Tara.”

She shrugged as if my words didn’t matter to her. “Thanks,” she mumbled and held my gaze, daring me to say anything more.

Luckily for both of us, there was nothing else to say.

Tara

“You have a visitor.” Penny stood beside the sofa with her arms folded over her chest, one brow arched, daring me to send whoever it was away. Again.

“And I come bearing baked goods, so don’t be a dick.” Mara strolled in with a big blue Bread Box container in one hand and a bag in the other. “Besides, you’re in no position to kick me out, so just try it. Officer.”

“Mara,” I sighed, happy it wasn’t Eva or Sophie. Or even Olive. Not that I didn’t appreciate my friendship with the women, but I had too much on my mind to worry about Chris and Sophie’s damn algorithm. “Come on in. Have a seat.”

“Where are the male creatures?” Mara looked around warily. “That little guy is too stinkin’ adorable, and I can’t stand it.”

Penny laughed. “Thanks. I think.”

“Anyone who knows that much about dinosaurs and likes my baked goods, is all right in my book.” Mara shrugged like it wasn’t the kind of compliment that made a mama swoon.

“He is pretty great. Drinks?”

Mara nodded. “My day is over so I’ll have something with a kick. If you have it.”

“Nothing spiked for me,” I called after Penny. “I’m still on pain meds. Unfortunately.”

“Are they helping?” Mara set the goodies on the table and sat back, arms folded and a curious arch of her brows.

“Obviously.”

“Then that’s a good thing. Unless you want to be off work indefinitely.” My eyes went round in shock and before I could ask the question on the tip of my tongue, Mara held up a hand. “Xander has a big mouth, but I suspect he meant for me to overhear.”

“And how would he know you well enough to know that? Especially when you two barely speak to one another?” It was a strange non-relationship, and I was curious as hell, but both of them were so tightlipped about it that it was impossible to get any answers.

“He’s a cop, so I’m sure he assumed. The same way you do.”

Penny returned with the drinks and plates for the baked goods, and a smile on her face that spelled trouble for me, I was sure of it.

“So. Ry told me about the angry single dad who showed up, jealous that you’d moved on already. He also said the little girl is over the moon for you.”

“And?” My voice sounded defensive, and I couldn’t help it. Lila was incredible and I would miss her, but it was obvious from the way Chris stormed in that he was upset she’d come to see me.

“And I want details so, spill.”

“Nothing to tell,” I said simply.

“They were put together by our local matchmakers,” Mara supplied unhelpfully.

“We went on a date, and it was nice.”

“And a few secret dates that we all think were more than nice, but as you can see, mum’s the word.” Mara shrugged and reached for a cake pop with a devious smile.