The Daddy Box Set

A small cafe practically materialized in front of me. It reminded me of one of those greasy spoons my mother was always so against. How bad could one greasy meal be?

“Looks good,” I declared, pulling my little car into a parking spot out front. I was only a little concerned by the empty lot. Maybe the rush hour had already passed.

I walked in, taking in the sweet scent of baked goods combined with a variety of coffee aromas. Coffee sent my mind back to Ian. The last coffee I’d had was with him.

“Have a seat anywhere you want, hon. I’ll be right over,” a waitress called out to me.

“Thanks,” I said, quickly scanning the nearly empty restaurant.

My eyes landed on the back of a very familiar looking head. I walked down the row of benches and tables. “Ian?”

He looked up, surprise on his face. “Tessa?”

“Hey, I thought that was you. I’ve become very familiar with the back of your head. I would recognize it anywhere,” I joked.

“Are you eating?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’ve never been here before. I was in the mood for something new,” I replied.

“Have a seat.” He gestured to the empty bench across from him. “The food is great. A little on the unhealthy side, but when you taste it, you won’t care.”

“I’m counting on that. What did you eat?” I said, not taking his offer to sit down, just yet.

“I haven’t ordered yet. Please, eat with me, so I’m not the lonely widower again. It gets old. The waitress has already tried to set me up with every eligible female she knows. This way she’ll think I have a girlfriend and lay off.” He winked.

Hesitating for a moment, I threw caution to the wind. “Sure, I would love to play your doting lover.” I waggled my eyebrows, causing him to chuckle.

I slid into the bench and picked up the menu. I scanned the selections and settled on French toast before putting down the menu, waiting for the waitress to come by. It was a splurge, but one I was going to relish down to the last bite.

“Kind of weird running into you here,” I started, trying to fill the awkward silence.

He chuckled. “Yeah, it really is. This place isn’t exactly on the main drag, and it’s not a huge draw for college students.” He paused, looked serious and then met my eyes. “Maybe it’s a sign.”

“A sign of what?” I asked, a little unsure. His gaze was making me squirm.

Shrugging, he smiled. “I don’t know, like the universe is pushing us together, perhaps.”

I laughed, ignoring that little tingle in my belly. “It seems that way, doesn’t it?” I looked at him and in a serious tone said, “I don’t mind.”

He looked away, le

aving me feeling like a fool. Clearly, I made him uncomfortable with my forwardness.

“How’s your weekend?” he asked, ignoring my not-so-subtle come on.

Happy to pretend it never happened, I jumped into the very normal conversation. “I’ve been busy with homework, but today I am relaxing. I spent some time down by the water,” I said, drifting off. “You?”

He blessed me with another one of those sexy smiles. “My exciting weekend has involved lesson planning and cleaning up after a fat cat.”

The image of him and a cat made me want to roll on the floor laughing. He didn’t look, or act, like a cat person at all.

“A cat? Why do I see you more as a dog person?”

He rolled his eyes. “Because I am. Or even a fish person. I am definitely not a cat person, but let’s just say I inherited the damn thing. I don’t know how long cats live, but I hope not much longer.”

I giggled, holding up a hand. “Sorry, it sounds miserable but funny.”

Ian shook his head. “I suppose it is if you don’t have to live with the monster.”