Single Dad Center (Dating A Denver Dragon #4)

by Latisha Sexton

Then the door swings open and every insecurity flies out the window as I take Archer in from his tiara-topped head, glitter-makeup covered face, past the blue tutu around his hips, and all the way down to the bright pink of his toenails. I cannot help the laugh that bubbles up from inside me and spills out of my lips.

Patting his arm, I say, “Don’t worry, Princess. Your secret is safe with me.” He drops his head against the doorframe and groans. “Please don’t ever call me that again.”

I already let it slip to the team, and some of those guys are worse gossipers than women.

“Man, Ronnie, I really do owe you.” Smirking, I pat his arm. “Oh, don’t you worry, Princess. I’m definitely going to make you pay.”

“Son,” he says softly, “take it from someone who also lost the love of his life . . . you don’t want to taint your wife’s memory by not living. I’m sure she wouldn’t want that for you. Or your daughter. Would she?” The weight of his gaze has me averting my own. I swallow over the lump in my throat as I stare absently at a groove in the table.

“Coffee would be great.” “Lucky for you, I just put a pot on.” I pull out a couple coffee mugs and place them on the counter. “You take it black?” Scoffing, he replies, “Black is for weaklings trying to prove that they’re a man. Not me. Give me all the creamer and sugar.” Smiling, I open the fridge and pull out the creamer. “I’m surprised you get away with it since they’ve got you on a strict diet.” “Nothing comes between me and my creamer.”

“As long as we’re breathing, repentance is never too late. And neither is forgiveness. Don’t you think?”

“When you find the right person, it’s always worth it.” His voice is thick with emotion, and I wish I could take back my words.

“Because everyone deserves a chance at love, Ronnie. Even if they don’t think they do.

“I know you have to watch your figure, Princess, but a little real chocolate every now and then isn’t going to mess with those rock-hard abs of yours.” I patted his stomach and immediately regretted it.

Ronnie arrives a bit later, and I take her to the bathroom and motion toward the counter. “I have no idea what I’m doing,” I admit. Ronnie’s eyes widen as she takes in the bottles of hair dye, brushes, combs, and bowls. “What’s going on?” Her head swivels to me. “Are you having a midlife crisis, Archer?” “What!?” “Because really, if you are, I think a motorcycle would suit you a lot better than this.” Running a hand down my face, I barely suppress a laugh. “It’s not for me. It’s for Indy.”

Moving the heating pad off my stomach, I pull my phone off the coffee table. I check the time and groan. Right now, I really wish I had a real job where I could call in sick. Not that I don’t love spending time with Indy, but well . . . I’m PMSing and just want to curl up and nap all day. And eat chocolate. No wonder I was all weepy yesterday at Archer’s. Of course, he did keep surprising me which added to my heightened emotions.

Podría ser yo y no querer ir a la oficina

Heat rushes to my face. Oh my goodness. Archer Sullivan made me a PMS-care basket.

I slide closer to her. “It’s definitely fun.” Flicking her eyes to mine, she replies, “I’m surprised you like getting beat up, Princess.”

“Archer tells me it’s worth it when you find the right person.” Chantelle makes a humming sound in the back of her throat. “And Archer’s yours?”

I walk to the living room, but the sight in front of me has my feet glued to the floor and my heart fluttering faster than a hummingbird’s wings. Archer is sitting by the fireplace, cuddling Denny to his bare chest while murmuring soothing words to him. Be. Still. My. Heart.

But love is usually like that. You don’t go searching for it. It searches for you.” “I’ve had love, Aiden. The kind of love that only comes once in a lifetime.” He lifts a shoulder. “Maybe. Or maybe in God’s grace, He gifts us with another chance. And if He does . . . well, I would want to snatch it and hold on for dear life.”

“You’re going to be the death of me,” Archer mumbles, but I can’t decide if he’s talking to me or Denny.

But come on. Archer Sullivan as a lumberjack? He’d have all the ladies swooning. Not to mention, he already smells like cedar and spice and everything nice.

“Better watch it there, Cap. The guys are going to think you’re developing feelings for Ronnie if you keep looking at her like that.” Shooting him a glare over my shoulder, I reply quietly through gritted teeth, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Bridger leans back with a smirk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“The best things in life are never easy.”

“But they’re always worth it.”

Archer doesn’t often offer such a wide grin. Not unless Indy is around, and then he hands those devastating smiles out like they’re candy. They are definitely eye candy. And I want them all.

And find out how he’s feeling about our kiss. Which, for the record, was most definitely the best kiss of my entire life. I’m ninety-nine percent certain that Archer Sullivan just ruined me for all other men.

I’m afraid

Of not being enough for someone, and them not being enough for me.

you can’t stop living your life for fear of something in the future that may never even come to pass.”

realizing that God had given me the amazing gift of finding love not once but twice. By finding the right person who didn’t expect me to never speak Rick’s name or share a memory of him or to keep pictures of him.”

The words Single Dad Center are typed on the front page, and there’s a sticky note underneath with Ronnie’s handwriting.

My gaze flicks to the bouquet of sunflowers mixed with wildflowers and the huge box of chocolates he’s holding.

“You, Veronica Reynolds, are the sunshine that broke through my darkness. You’re like the first spring morning after a cold and harsh winter. When I’m with you, I feel alive for the first time in years. You bring the sweetest chaos to my life. You’re all things warm, vibrant, and colorful.” Pressing his forehead to mine, his warm breath dances across my face, and I sink into his touch. “I love you, Ronnie. I want to build a life with you. You and Indy . . . heck, even the mangy dog.”