“Amelia May, I am not being a—alright, I need to go. Give Paisley a kiss for me and tell her Grandma will make this up to her. I’ll take her shopping. And again, I’m sorry. I know you didn’t want to have to deal with him.”
“Okay, will do and Tanner’s a good dad; that’s all that matters. I guess I can handle him.”
She mutters something that I can’t quite catch before the call is ended and I sigh, heading in the direction of Tanner’s house. Ever since we came up with an agreement—Wednesdays being his day during the week with Paisley—he finagled his schedule around with Miller to where he has the whole day off so he can spend it with her.
I don’t notice how hard I’m clutching the steering wheel until I pull into Tanner’s driveway and have to peel my fingers away from the leather. “You can do this, Amelia. You can do it,” I add, in my best Rob Snyder voice, causing myself to burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggles. Get your head in the game, Amelia.
I take two deep breaths in and out before willing myself from my car. Of course, luck is not on my side because once I knock, the door is swinging open and Marissa is standing there, looking like a twig in a pair of cutoff shorts and a too-tight tank top. Her eyes narrow slightly before she straightens herself and puts on a fake smile. “Amelia, we haven’t seen you in a while. Your mom said you’ve been too busy with the bakery. That’s great.” Her tone is light and airy but I can feel the hate behind it and, really, I can’t blame her. I would hate me too if the situation was reversed, but she can be sure the feeling is very mutual. Very mutual.
“Yup, I’ve been swamped. Paisley ready to go?” I’m trying to make this as least painful as possible and making small talk with Marissa isn’t helping things.
“Um…I’m not sure. Tanner was giving her a bath. We were finger painting and she was a complete mess. You know how she gets. You can go on down the hallway and check. I was just getting ready to leave actually. Are you heading home after you get her?” Her feet twitch and I can’t help but think she’s nervous about leaving me alone with Tanner—as if the minute she’s gone, I’ll jump his bones or something. Hopefully I can resist.
“Oh yeah, I’m actually running a little behind,” I reassure her. Why? I have no idea.
“Okay, well come on in then.” I scoot past her and she grabs her purse from the end table next to the door before shooting another fake smile in my direction. “I’ll see you later. The bathroom is that way.”
“Oh okay, thanks.” I won’t point out the fact that I’ve been inside before and I definitely won’t point out the fact that Tanner and I probably conceived Paisley in that very bathroom. Nope. And I need to stop thinking about that. Right. Now.
Tiny giggles drift down the hallway and I smile when I peek my head around the corner and see Paisley patting bubbles onto Tanners face. “How’s my beard look? You like it?” Paisley nods before adding more and Tanner scoops bubbles out of the water. “I think you need a beard to match. Just don’t tell your mama. She doesn’t like beards. Especially on pretty little girls.”
I laugh lightly and Tanner’s head snaps in my direction, his eyes widening slightly. “Amelia, what are you doing here?”
“Um…I’m here to pick up Paisley.” I pick at the wood on the door frame to avoid his eyes with my own.
“I know. That’s not what I meant. I just—” Paisley’s squeals from seeing me cut him off and I watch as he grabs a frilly pink towel with little bunny ears and scoops her out of the water before wrapping her up like a taco.
“Mama!”
“Hi, baby girl.” She squirms right into my arms and I plant kisses onto her chubby cheeks as she wraps her tiny hands around my neck to cling to me. “How ‘bout we get you all dried up and dressed? Aunt Roe’s coming over for a visit.”
“Roe-Roe coming!” She worms out of my arms and takes off down the hallway. I go to follow her but Tanner tugs on my arm, stopping my feet. Oh great, he wants to make conversation. I was hoping he would just wordlessly hand Paisley off to me but of course not.
“It’s good to see you, Amelia. I know things didn’t end so well the last time we saw each other.”
“Look, I didn’t mean what I said. I was worked up and my tongue got away from me.”
“Yeah, well that wasn’t a surprise. I think that happens often.” He smirks and I shove his chest before going to find Paisley. I grin from the doorway when I find her in her room that’s so pink I almost think it’s overkill…almost. She’s pulling clothes left and right from her drawers, her towel discarded on the floor behind her, and her cute little rear end naked as could be. Once she decides on what she’s wearing, she moves over to a basket that’s full of bows and headbands, picks five different ones out, and then grabs onto a necklace that was on the floor.
“Think she takes after her mama?” Tanner teases from behind me and I scoot to the side as he brushes past me and starts to help Paisley get dressed. My heart strings pull as I watch in fascination at how good he is with her. I mean, I know he’s a good dad; there’s no way in hell she would be here if he wasn’t. But with Paisley, the Tanner that I know is completely gone, replaced with someone so gentle I have to blink twice to make sure it’s still him.
“And of course she got her stubbornness from you,” I point out when Paisley squirms and stomps both feet about the wrong bow being put in her hair.
“I’m the stubborn one? Really? You’re the one who’s been avoiding me for weeks. Don’t think I’m gonna let you forget that one.” He plops a kiss on Paisley’s cheek when she’s finally ready.
“Oh, whatever,” I grumble. “I’m sure you just loved getting to see my mom. I know how much you two love each other. I bet you’re bffs for life now.”
“Right, I got half a necklace to prove it.” He rolls his eyes before hugging Paisley. “Time to go home with your mama. I’ll see you this weekend, little lady.”
The wail that’s let out of her tiny body pierces my ears and shoots straight to my heart. Big fat alligator tears run down her cheeks and she shakes her damp blonde curls back and forth. “No. Daddy!” She points to him and Tanner looks at me, completely lost and unsure of what to do. Why in the hell is he looking to me for help? I have no clue what to do! We haven’t had to deal with this yet and I was hoping it wouldn’t come for a while. This is all Paisley’s ever known, but I knew she would eventually want one or the other, or wonder why her parents weren’t together like everyone else’s.
“Paisley, it’s time to go. Don’t you want to see Aunt Roe?” I figure this will win her over. Not only is Monroe my best friend, she’s Paisley’s too—for real, the two of them together is a little scary and I sometimes get jealous when they leave me out. The mention of Monroe doesn’t win her over and she continues to shake her head back and forth, clinging to Tanner’s leg. He tries to pry her off, but her death grip is not letting up.
“Paisley,” I crouch down and wipe tears away, “how ‘bout on the way home we stop and get some ice cream? I’ll let you get the blue kind.” I’ll admit, I’m not beyond bribing my child, especially when she doesn’t want to come with me, which hurts just a little. Okay, it hurts a lot.
She wavers slightly, her tears slowing down, but then she yanks on Tanner’s leg. “With Daddy?”
“Um…” I look up at Tanner, who’s avoiding my eyes. Gee, thanks for the help, dude. Paisley pouts out her bottom lip and I’m pretty much done for. “Sure, if Daddy wants to come that’s fine. But we need to hurry. We have to get home.”
“Let me see if Marissa wants to come with us,” Tanner adds quietly and I crease my brows. Thank the good Lord above that she left. Would he seriously invite her along?
“Marissa left when I was coming in. She didn’t tell you?”
“Oh…right. I forgot she needed to run some errands. Well, I guess it’s just the three of us then. Let’s see if I can handle the two of you.” Ha, good luck with that, buddy.
Tanner follows me over to the ice cream shop down the road wit
h Paisley riding along in his backseat. Even after ice cream, I might have a problem with getting her to go home with me.
“So, are you happy now, little miss?” I ask as she smears blue ice cream all over her face, giving herself an ice cold facial. She’s probably going to need another bath once we get home since she’s looking like a baby Smurf and I glance at my phone, my legs twitching at the time. There’s no way in hell I’m going to have time to get ready now like I wanted to. I’m ticking off everything I need to do in my head—shave my legs, makeup, pick out an outfit, shoes, leave notes for Monroe, curl my hair—when I feel a nudge underneath the picnic table that we’re sitting at. I look up to find Tanner looking at me with amusement. “What?”
“Is there somewhere you need to be? You look antsy.”
“Well, Monroe’s coming over in a bit.”
“Oh, you two having a girls’ night in? Maybe that’s why Miller wanted to hang out tonight.”
“Um, no. Actually she and Paisley are.”
“Oh, she’s babysittin’?” he asks with that slow southern drawl of his that is pure sweet torture to my ears—and my vagina.
“Yup.”
“Can I ask why?” He leans forward, taking a slow lick from his ice cream cone.
“Well, Monroe missed Paisley. She wanted to spend some time with her. I mean, if you want to keep her, that’s fine. I won’t be gone too long.” My defenses are up. I haven’t had to deal with this type of situation with Tanner yet.
“Amelia, it’s fine.”
“Oh, I’m so glad you approve,” I grumble under my breath. I can’t keep biting my tongue around him or it’s likely to fall off.
He snorts, grabbing napkins to wipe at Paisley’s face before she scampers off to play in the little patch of grass. “I was just wondering why Monroe was babysitting. Are you going somewhere?”
“Yup. Out.”
“Damn, girl. Why the hell are you so difficult all the time?”
I shrug, taking a bite of the sundae that I certainly didn’t need to order; these hips really don’t need it. Oh well. “It’s fun,” I point my spoon at him, “especially when it comes to you.”
He gives me a look and I sigh. “I’m going on a date, if you must know.”
His body shifts towards me, one brow popping up. “Really?’
“Really. Why is that so surprising?”
“It’s not…I just know you don’t really…date.”
“And how would you know whether I date or not? I date. A lot.”
His eyes dance. “Amelia, you know I see Monroe all the time, right? And that girl never shuts up about anything. I would know if you were dating.”
I roll my eyes, moving my focus to Paisley, who’s gathering a bouquet of dandelions.
“And by the way, I’m happy for you. You deserve someone good. But make no mistake, he doesn’t need to be introduced to Paisley.”
“Excuse me?” I snap my head back towards him and he deadpans me, his lips set in a flat line.
“I’m serious. You don’t need to be bringing a bunch of guys around, confusing the hell out of her. It’s already bad enough.”
“First of all,” I snap a single finger up, anger starting a slow burn in the pit of my stomach, “I’m not a slut. I don’t have a line of guys coming and going from my house, even though it would be none of your business if I did.”
“I’m her father, Amelia,” he hisses between clenched teeth. “I’m making it my business.”
“And second of all…” I ignore his comment, even though it’s just ramping up the rage that’s building inside me, but I’m trying to keep my tone low so Paisley doesn’t hear me. I’m sure to have a sweet smile on my face so she doesn’t see how upset I am, and it’s grating on Tanner’s last nerve, too. “It’s your fault that there would be any confusion in the first place. You chose Marissa over us.”
“The fuck I did.” His hand slams down on the worn wooden table and I jump in my seat, but straighten my shoulders, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Yes. You. Did.”
“I’m not having this discussion, Amelia. I can’t go back and change things now. The past is in the past. You need to learn how to fucking let shit go and quit being such a bitch. We have to work—”
As soon as the word bitch is uttered from his lips, I know I’m completely done. His words are cut off by my bowl of ice cream that I smash right into his face, wiggling it around for added effect, before getting up and scooping Paisley into my arms. She giggles when she sees Tanners face covered in ice cream and points. “Daddy silly.”
“Oh yes, he’s so silly. Say bye bye. We have to go.”
Tanner’s fuming from the other side of the table, wiping at his face with the stack of napkins that I had grabbed when we ordered. Why the hell didn’t I stuff those into my purse before I chucked my ice cream at him? Clearly, I wasn’t planning ahead. “Bye, baby girl. I’ll see you in a couple of days. I love you,” he whispers into her ear before standing up and glaring at me with ice cold blue eyes. “We’re not done here,” he grumbles in a low voice.
“Yes, we are,” I inform him before snapping in the other direction and stomping across the parking lot to my car. Please God don’t let my mother ever get another flat tire again. I don’t think I can handle another tiff like that. I may end up strangling the man.
Chapter 5
I shouldn’t have said yes again. Something is wrong with me. Seriously. Danny is perfect. He’s sweet, has a great job, is caring, funny… I could go on and on—not to mention the fact that I think my daughter is crushing on him. Hard. She hasn’t let go of his hand since the minute he rang the doorbell. We’ve been on five dates now, but I just don’t feel that spark, and I can’t force something that’s not there. Right? Maybe something would happen on this date though—the warm fuzzy feelings. Maybe Tanner has ruined me from ever letting myself feel those feelings again. That was it; I was being cautious. I didn’t want to get my heart ripped out, stomped all over, and shoved back in again. I think most girls would feel the same way.
“Well, I’m glad you two are getting along.” Paisley giggles when Danny sticks his tongue out at her and she scurries off to her room, jabbering about princesses and crowns, which could mean trouble for Danny.
“She’s adorable, Amelia. You’re doing a really good job with her. She looks just like you.”
“You think so?” Whenever I look at Paisley I see a good mix of both Tanner and I.
“Yup, spitting image. Are you two about ready?” He eyes my yoga pants and yogurt covered tank top with a smirk.
“Um, hell no. I need at least twenty minutes. Is that okay?”
“Yup.” He grins. “Take your time.”
I leave him on the couch, passing by Paisley in the hallway; her arms are loaded down with necklaces, tutus and hair bows. She is about to have some fun with him. I leave my door open so I can keep an ear on Paisley and make a mad dash to my closet. Lately, I feel like I’m going non-stop and barely have time to do anything, which is good. The bakery is doing well and I’m completely booked up with cakes for the spring wedding season. And on top of that, Paisley—and now, Danny. I forgot how time consuming dating could be. Couldn’t I just be single for the rest of my life? But sometimes, it was so damn lonely.
I decide on a royal blue sundress that ends just above my knees, a bright red pair of open toed strappy sandals, and grab a white denim cropped jacket in case it gets chilly later tonight. I gather my hair into a tight bun and hurry to the bathroom to slap on a minimal amount of makeup. That will have to do.
“I’m ready,” I call out in a sing-song voice, grabbing the diaper bag from the kitchen table. I burst out laughing when I spin around to find Danny with ten different necklaces on, a tiara perched on top of his head and hair bows clipped all over the place. He bites down on his lip as Paisley deems him ‘Princess Dan’ and shakes her magic wand at him.
“So, I see that you two are becoming good friends. I’m loving your look.
It really fits.”
Danny snorts, shaking his head. “What? Was I supposed to tell her no?”
“I know, it’s pretty impossible to do. Paisley.” I drop down to my knees, pulling on her hand. She pouts, upset that I’m interrupting her fun. “Are you ready to go to the fair with me and Dan now? Remember Mommy told you all about it.”
“Yes!” She claps her hands before running off, forgetting all about Princess Dan.
“Here, let me get all of her accessories.” I pull off each necklace, bow and throw them in the basket she likes to carry around. “And now we’re ready. Unless you wanted to wear those?”
“Hell no.” He stands up, grabbing the diaper bag from my hands and tilting his head towards the door. “Let’s get out of here before she gets the same idea.”
We ride over in Dan’s truck with Paisley singing at the top of her lungs. “Aren’t you glad you came along?” I ask, plugging one of my ears when she hits a rather high note.
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Of course I am. It’s entertaining.” He points a finger to a dirt driveway surrounded by trees that we whizz by as we continue on the state highway. “A friend of mine has a cabin way back there and a fishing pond. Think you girls would ever want to go fishing?”
“Ew, gross,” Paisley declares from the back and I giggle, shrugging.
“Sorry, she’s all girl.”
***
My phone is probably worn out from all of the pictures that I’ve snapped of Paisley since we arrived. I really can’t help myself. She is having a blast and I want to capture every moment of it. Now, I’m adding another pro to Dan’s list. In just one day, Paisley is head over heels in love with him, but then on the other hand, I feel guilty for bringing him around if I don’t think things are going to work out.
“Ready to eat?”
“Yes, sir.” I’m pulled away from my worrying thoughts. My mouth waters as Danny sets our feast down on the picnic table that we snagged right near the bounce house area—the same area we haven’t been able to drag Paisley away from. I know I don’t need any fair food, but I’m forgetting about that for the day. “Did you stop at every food vendor?” I eye the corn dogs, fries, deep fried vegetables, pizza, and two philly cheesesteaks laid out on the table.
Southern Sweets (Midnight) Page 5
