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Adam tugs on Evie’s elbow, but she crosses her arms and takes her narrowed eyes next level into a sharp glare.
“He has to learn how to adult,” Stella offers, very unhelpfully.
“I know how to adult. I run my own business; I’m lighting up this whole town for Yulefest…” I search for something,anything, else. “I bake.”
“I do love your pumpkin bars,” Britta says and offers me a side hug so full of pity, I almost resent it.
“He needs to prove to Hope he’s responsible. You know, dad material.” Bear says, only slightly more helpful than Britta’s hug.
“And are you?” Evie asks, daring me to stretch the truth even the slightest.
“Dad material?” I gulp. “I don’t know. Do we have to jump right into the very deepest end of the pool? Can I start in the shallow part first?”
“There’s no shallow end with Hope,” Evie says firmly, and it hits me that there are levels to that statement.
The reason I haven’t forgotten Hope isn’t because she’s fun, it’s because there’s so much more below the surface.
But it’s going to take more than a wink and a smile, or even my abs, to convince her I want to know more about her. I want to knowher.
“You’ve got to be all in with Charly.” Evie’s words draw my attention back to her. “Hope doesn’t have time to teach you how to do that. You want to be more than a friend, you’re going to have to prove from the get-go that you want Charly part of your life too.”
“I get it.” I don’t mean to snap, but I do. “I like Hope a lot, but I don’t know if I’m ready for a kid. And what if I go to all the work of learning how to be ‘dad material,’ and she decides to disappear again?”
Hope’s apology was sincere. I don’t doubt she’s sorry, but can I trust her not to do the same thing again if I say something stupid?
And I will say something stupid. I’m human.
“Relationships take work,” Adam offers with an impatient sigh.
“I know that,” I bite back.
But I needed a reminder.
I can’t walk away without trying if I have even the slightest chance at happiness with Hope. “I’m willing to try. That’s all I can promise.”
Evie’s face softens, but she keeps her arms crossed. “That’s good. But not enough. You have to be willing to fail. Because you will. You have to be okay with that and try again. Kids aren’t easy, Seb, and Charly’s needs take things to a different level.”
“So what do I do?” My eyes are glued to hers. She’s my in. She knows Hope better than anyone else here.
Her shoulders drop, and she sighs. “Start small.”
“Like with a puppy,” Adam scoffs. “Bear can help you out with that.”
“Molly’s puppies are all called for,” Bear says, like Adam was being serious about me taking one of his spaniel’s puppies.
“I’m not irresponsible enough to think taking care of a dog is the same as taking care of a kid,” I say to Adam. “Plus, Mom would kill me if I brought a dog home.”
Maybe if I had my own place, I’d consider it. I’ve always wanted a dog. And maybe taking care of a puppywouldprove to all my doubters that I’m more responsible than they like to give me credit for.
“Anygoodsuggestions for learning how to dad, or whatever?” I scan the faces of my closest family and friends, but all I get is blank stares.
“Pick up after yourself?” Stella finally offers.
“Be on time,” Adam adds.
“What’s that got to do with parenting?” I shoot back.
“People—kids especially—have to know you’ll show up when you say you’re going to show up,” he answers with a confidence I appreciate even less than the fact he’s got a good point.
