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“Are you kidding? I was so scared.”
She tips her head, studying me. “Why?”
“For the first time in my life, I was responsible for someone other than myself. What if I didn’t know what to do? Or if I was a horrible dad? But as soon as I held you in my arms, you became the person I loved most in this universe.”
“Well, you worried for nothing. You’re a great dad.” She leans her head on my shoulder.
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s easy when you have a daughter like mine.”
She smiles at me and then digs her spoon into the pie. “Are you excited about the hockey team?”
“I am. How do you feel? Any concerns?”
She immediately shakes her head. “Nope. I’m happy for you.”
“If that changes, I want you to let me know.”
“I will.”
“You promise? You know you can tell me anything.”
“I promise. Will this make you feel better?” She holds out her pinky, and I briefly wrap mine around it.
I smile. “Of course. Pinky swears are unbreakable.”
Sliding off the stool, she opens the dishwasher and places her plate and spoon inside. She turns to me. “I’m going to get ready for bed and do the reading I couldn’t finish earlier. Night, Dad.”
“Goodnight, Gwennie.”
I’ve finished my pie, and it’s not quite enough. But as much as I’d like another piece, I’m forcing myself to save it for tomorrow night. Gwen won’t be here, and a little late-night comfort food will be just what I need.
After putting my plate and fork in the dishwasher, I settle on the couch. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I pull up the Finder account I recently started. With no one catching my eye right away, I repeatedly swipe left.
I’m about ready to close the app and give up when I notice a stunning blonde. She’s wearing a bikini that nearly has me drooling. But her smile sets her apart from every other scantily dressed woman I’ve passed on. With her lips slightly parted, it looks like someone unexpectedly captured her image while she was mid-laugh. I love the genuineness of the moment, and I can’t help wondering what her laugh sounds like. Or if her long golden hair feels as soft as it looks. Sunglasses cover her eyes, making me curious about what color lies behind the dark lenses.
“Why not?” I swipe my thumb right without further hesitation. Now, I just have to wait and see if I’ve also caught her interest.
CHAPTER 3
MAEVE
Groaning loudly, I flop my head against the back of the couch. “Why am I so apprehensive about logging on to Finder?” I ask Lucy, my brother’s girlfriend.
She quickly wiggles and shifts her hips until she’s sitting closer to me. “Probably because it’s something you haven’t done before. But remember, no one will know if you choose not to swipe on them.”
“They won’t?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. You only get notified when you both swipe right.”
“I guess that makes it a little better. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
She nudges me with the side of her arm. “You’re so kind-hearted.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Oh really? Yesterday, I watched you pick up the trash that blew all over the neighbor’s lawn,” she says with a triumphant smile.
“Okay, stalker.” This time, I nudge her arm. “I couldn’t leave it there. She’s ninety years old.”