As a single mom in a small town, there's only one thing I want. Another baby. When all the roads to getting what I want lead to dead ends, I turn to one of my best friends for help.
In my mind, Trent Castillo is the perfect baby daddy. He has good g...
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The roads are still closed, and the walkway and driveway need to be blown clear again when we wake up. I send a text to Earl, my boss, to let him know I'm still stuck in Little Falls. Luckily, I keep a spare set of clothes in my car for nights when I get so into fixing something at the shop that I stay over.
Downstairs, I've just pushed down the toaster when Emily appears. I hand her a coffee, and when the toaster pops, I put two waffles on a plate, give it a liberal douse of maple syrup and pass her the plate.
"Used all the good stuff in the casserole yesterday," I say. "I guess I need a lesson in rationing."
She smiles and takes the plate. "Breakfast and coffee two days in a row?" She slides into one of the kitchen chairs and lets out a satisfied sigh. "Seriously, I'm kidnapping you. I'm going to tie a chain to your leg. Give you enough room to move around the house but not out the door."
"That doesn't sound psychotic at all."
"Blame the aliens. They warped my brain that one time you didn't show up when I called."
"That's slanderous chatter," I say, sliding into the seat beside her. "I've never not shown up when you told me the aliens were upon you."
"You realize from now on, all my texts are going to lead with one word: Aliens."
"And I will drop everything to appear at your side, like a good boy."
"I do love a good boy," she says.
"Good boy in the streets, naughty boy in the sheets." I waggle my eyebrows at her.
"Do not ever teach my son that rhyme," she says with a laugh. "Like, ever."
"Someone is going to have to teach him how to pick up women," I say, taking a sip of my coffee. "You want me or his friends?"
"That is many years from now," she says, "so, that'll be a gameday decision."
"Put me in, Coach."
"By then, we'll be old, and he'll have no desire to learn anything from either of us."
"More slander. I'll always be the cool uncle."
"You'll be someone's cool dad someday, I'm sure," she says, avoiding my eyes as she takes a drink of her coffee.
"Doubtful," I say as I cut a piece of the toaster waffle. "These aren't as terrible as I thought they'd be."
"Amir and I have tested many, many brands in our bid to find the best toaster waffle."
"I think it's a success."
"If I was a better mom, I'd be making them from scratch."
I catch her gaze and hold it. "You gotta let go of other people's expectations or stupid standards—you're enough for him, I promise."
