Page 44 of Face Off

I realized he was right. “Well, in that case, I do come here often.”

“She’s killing it.” He nodded toward Sadie. “She’s a little daredevil.”

“Not normally. I think the boys, and probably you, bring it out in her.”

“Me? Are you saying I’m a bad influence?” He put a hand to his chest.

“Not at all.” I smiled up at him, really enjoying this banter. “I think you make her brave.”

His grin nearly knocked me to the ground. “I have to admit, I’m not normally comfortable around kids, with the expectation of the twins.” He glanced over at them. “But Sadie’s different. She’s so sweet. She looks at me like she trusts me. Is that weird to think? I mean, she probably looks at everyone like that.”

I stopped him. “Actually, I’ve noticed that too. She’s usually pretty cautious and timid around new people, but she took to you the second she saw you.”

“She’s clearly got good taste.” He wagged his brows, making me laugh.

“Yeah, she does.”

He cocked his head. “So you agree?”

I walked into that. I couldn’t exactly argue. “Well, you clearly are the best swing pusher around.”

He laughed. “At least I’m good for something.”

He was good for plenty. Well, I assumed he was.

“It probably helps that her mom likes me too.” He wasn’t looking at me, which was a blessing, since I was pretty sure I was tomato red by the burning in my cheeks.

How did he know? Was I that obvious? All words were forgotten.

He peeked over at me with a growing smile. “Huh, she doesn’t deny it.”

My reaction was delayed due to shock, and by the time I could form a retort, he was laughing and hurrying away. “Who’s hungry?”

The kids cheered, and he helped Sadie slow on the swing before taking her hand and following the twins toward the main tent.

My throat tightened. My nose burned as tears threatened my eyes. That image was something I’d longed to see since I found out I was pregnant. It was something I never thought would happen. Sadie walking with a man she trusted. Someone who cared about her. Who went out of his way to make her happy. To make her smile.

I hated my ex more than ever before. He should have been here. He should be the one pushing her and walking with her through the park.

But he wasn’t. He wasn’t in our lives.

Mikey was.

No. Not like that. He was just a friend. I couldn’t lose my head just because he was nice to my daughter.

I followed behind, repeating to myself that he was a friend. A colleague. Nothing more.

How many times did I have to think it before my heart believed it?

16

Mikey

This was new for me.

Holding the tiny hand of a little girl that lit up every time she saw me made me happier than winning a game ever could.

I expected it to feel wrong. Weird. Something other than so incredibly natural.