Page 66 of Miss Manage

“Charlotte should be here shortly with dinner and, uh stuff. Let me make a quick phone call to your mom, and I’ll be right back.”

Tanya answered on the first ring and launched straight into her tirade. It’s not your night. Custody agreement. Boundaries. I didn’t rise to it. Years of falling into her traps had taught me better. Tonight, I was done giving her my temper.

When she finally stopped, I replied calmly, “I’m not arguing. Samantha’s here for the night. If you want to take it to court, fine. We’ll go there. Send me a text when you return, and I’ll drop her off back home. Good night.” And I hung up.

By the time I returned to the kitchen, Samantha was letting Charlotte in, dinner box in her hands with a small plastic bag balanced on top. My chest loosened at the sight of them together.

They spent some time together in the bedroom, and bathroom while I reheated dinner. I puttered around my living room until they came out.

Dinner was warm and simple, conversation flowing over light topics. When it ended, Charlotte hugged Samantha goodbye, her smile genuine. “You’ve got my number if you need anything, okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks for everything.”

I walked Charlotte to the door, reluctant to let her go. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything tonight.”

Her eyes softened. “You’re welcome. And thanks for dinner.”

I kissed her, brief but certain, and was floored when she kissed me back without hesitation. Progress? Maybe. “Good night, Charlotte.”

“Good night.”

I watched her disappear toward the elevator, my chest heavy with something I couldn’t deny anymore. I wasn’t falling for her. I’d already fallen.

Inside, Samantha was sprawled on the sofa. “You really like her, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” I answered honestly, sitting down beside her. “I do.”

“I like her, too. Did I interrupt a date?”

I chuckled. “First, you’re never an interruption. Second, no. We were just spending time together.”

She studied me, wise beyond her years. “But you want to date her?”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “But getting to know each other first is pretty nice, too.”

Silence settled as I queued up a movie. But her next question knocked the air out of me.

“Did you ever love Mom?”

I froze, thumb hovering over the remote. Her expression was so earnest, so searching, I couldn’t lie. “I cared for her. A lot. But no, I didn’t love her the way a husband should love his wife.”

“Because she got pregnant and had me, and you had to marry her?”

“Because the circumstances were different.”

“Mom said you didn’t want me. That you discussed abortion.”

Her words hit hard, hollowing me out. I forced a steady breath. “When your mom found out she was pregnant, we sat down and walked through every option. Not because I didn’t want you, but because I was scared. We’d only been together a few weeks, and I didn’t know what kind of father I’d be. But once the dust settled, the only thing that felt certain was how much I wanted you. That’s why I married your mom. I wanted a family and to be in your life as much as possible.”

Her lip trembled. “Really?”

I reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. “Really. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. The proudest thing I’ve ever done with my life, and I’m thankful every single day I get to be your dad.”

Tears pricked her eyes, and she whispered, “I want to spend more time here. Not only weekends. Maybe some school nights, too.”

Emotion swelled in my throat. “I’d love nothing more.”