From Nowhere (Wildfire, #2)

by Jewel E. Ann

“If I weren’t riding off into the proverbial sunset on a bicycle, I’d kiss you. But my life is complicated, so I have to take it slow.”

I’m a goner. Single dads who say all the right things, pick the perfect number of wildflowers, and have the perfect hand brush before riding off into the sunset on a bicycle are officially my new favorite drug.

Two girls and a guy. He couldn’t stick to vanilla porn. How am I supposed to have a talk about the birds and the bees with a bee and two birds?

“I’m helping you by being your secretary.” She gives me a toothy grin and bats her eyelashes while I pluck my phone from her hands. Based on Maren’s responses, she thought she was talking to me, and why wouldn’t she? Except Lola’s responses make me sound like a dumbass.

“There’s no cake for surviving this parenting gig. There should be cake,”

According to friends with older kids, she’s entrenched in the “I know” phase of adolescence, which I’ve been assured lasts until she’s well into adulthood.

she is 10. mine is 9... I am not well 🤢

“Dad, I bet his mom is dead, and that’s why he’s all alone. If we don’t take him home, he will die.” Ouch. This girl packs an emotional punch. “It’s called life, Lola. And how do you know he’s a he?” “How do you know you’re a he?” She rolls her eyes.

Everyone has a different breaking point. I don’t want to find her breaking point. I want to empower her.”

I slowly shake my head and whisper, “She’s fine.” Ghosts aren’t my thing. I’ve never believed in them, and there’s never been a day where I felt a dead person’s presence. Sometimes, I’ve hoped Brynn was seeing something, like Lola striking out a batter in softball, but I’ve never felt her—until now. “She’s fine, Ozzy. You’re both going to be just fine,” Brynn whispers as if she were alive with her lips at my ear.