Page 50 of Scouting the Single Dad

Layla:

I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.

Layla:

We just met. I don’t want her tiny little heart to have hope for . . . you know. That I’m going to be around.

Hayes:

Benny’s heart is my job, not yours. If you come out, I’ll make sure she knows you’re a *friend visiting*, full stop.

Layla:

Still. She’s a girl . . .

Hayes:

What if you stay at a hotel?

Layla:

As lovely as that sounds, I can’t afford a hotel. I wish I could, but can’t . . .

Hayes:

No one is asking you to pay for a hotel. It would be my treat.

Layla:

There’s No Way I would let you.

Hayes:

Well, the only other option is my guest room. I already mentioned we have a guest room and the house is huge, so technically we wouldn’t even have to see one another if we didn’t want to

Layla:

Oh knock it off . . .

Hayes:

Scouts honor **holding up two fingers**

Layla:

Look, I appreciate the offer. I just don’t want it to be weird.

Hayes:

Us? Weird? Here’s the plan: you, guest room. Door that locks. En Suite bathroom. I cook, you judge my food. Swimming or floating or both. Possibly the zoo. Or a movie?

Layla:

You make it sound easy.

Hayes:

It is easy. I’m a dad—I handle logistics.