"After you left she told me that I was lucky." He sighs. "I asked her why."
"Why?" I question with the hope that it's because of me. I want her to like me. A few days ago I wasn't sure I wanted to know her, and now I want her approval. I want her to understand how important her dad is to me.
"She told me I was lucky because my best friend is better than her best friend."
"Are you May's best friend?"
"I wear clip-on earrings and get my toe nails painted. Of course I'm her best friend."
I glance down at his toenails. Two of them are painted bright orange. The surrounding skin is the same hue. "What color is that?"
"It's hideous."
I chuckle. "I was asking what shade of Matiz nail polish that is."
"A shade that will never be sold in any of our stores again. I'm pulling it tomorrow. My toes look like fucking pumpkins."
"You're such a good dad." I close the top of the pizza box. "Can I take this with me or do you want it?"
"I like that you think I'm a good dad. It's my goal to be the best at that I can be." He looks down at where my hand is resting on the box. "Are you going to eat that for breakfast tomorrow? If you are, don't put it near a microwave. You'll ruin it."
"No. I'm going to give it to a man who lives on the corner."
His fingers trace over the pizza place's logo on the front of the box. "You like helping people, don't you? You were going to give all those pastries from the conference room away too."
His words aren't meant to make me feel uncomfortable, but they do. "I don't like wasting food."
He lifts a brow. "That's admirable and very responsible. There's some fruit in the refrigerator I bought the other day for you. You can take that for him too."
"I will." I smile softly. "Thank you, Nolan."
"I'll walk you out." He picks up the pizza box from the nightstand. "Text me once you're home so I know you made it safely."
"I can do that."
"You will do that."
I want to do that. I like the protectiveness. It makes me feel safe, even if I can defend myself with one hand tied behind my back. "I'll see you at work on Monday?"
"Unless you want to hang out with May and me tomorrow." He takes a step back. "She'd love to see you again."
"Thanks for the offer but I'm going to lay low tomorrow." I need some time to absorb everything that's happened today. I feel like I woke up with one life and I'm going to sleep with another, better, happier life. "Pajamas and Netflix for me."
"I wish I could join in on that." His voice is quiet. "I will one day."
He will. It won't be tomorrow or the next day, but I want it someday. I'm sure about that.
Chapter 48
Nolan
I told her I loved her last night. I was seconds away from being buried balls deep in her when I said it, but it left my lips. She heard it. Her body told me she did. She didn't say it back, and now I know why. Now I fucking know why she didn't say a goddamn word to me when I confessed what I felt.
"Daddy, that's Ellie."
Dammit.
I thought I could steer May out of here without her seeing what I'm seeing. It stopped me dead in my tracks when I walked through the door of this candy store.