“Yeah, but to a twelve-year-old, forty-five is ancient. When I was her age, I considered everyone above twenty to be from the age of the dinosaurs.”
“You’re amazing. How come you speak teenager language?”
“I saw some of my siblings grow up, and my inner twelve-year-old is still a big part of me. I take it Julie isn’t that close to your mother either?”
Eric runs a hand through his hair, leaning back in his chair. “Mom adores Julie, but her idea of spending time with her granddaughter is teaching her manners, or drinking afternoon tea together. Not exactly a hit with a twelve-year-old.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to her,” I assure him. A shadow crosses his face, and I don’t like it one bit. “What are you worried about?”
“I keep wondering if bringing her here was a good idea. She has no friends her age in San Francisco.”
“Yes, but she’ll meet some next week when her course starts.”
He nods, but it’s obvious he’s still not convinced.
“Why didn’t you leave her in Boston?”
“She would’ve had to stay with Mom, and she didn’t want that. I have to be honest. I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from Julie for almost three months. I’m an egoist when it comes to my daughter. I planned the trip here so it would coincide with her school vacation.”
“Your idea of egoism sounds like love to me.” I like this man more with every word he utters, and this is dangerous for too many reasons. Eric’s eyes light up, and he looks young and almost carefree, like he did when we danced at the wedding.
“She stole my heart from the moment she was born. I was twenty-one, so I had other things on my mind, but I did a 180-degree change the moment I held her in my arms. Every time I have to make a decision in my personal life—and even in my professional life—I first think about how it will affect her.”
It is precisely at this moment that I realize it’s not only Eric’s good looks that cause me to think about him so often. His ability to be completely selfless as well as downright adorable with his daughter beckons to me.
“That’s very commendable of you.” My heart sighs, a multitude of emotions overwhelming me.
“Which brings me to my self-imposed ban on not giving hot looks, which doesn’t work when I’m around you.”
“How shameful of me to tempt you like this,” I reply playfully. “So, you’re basically a monk?”
He smirks. “My plan is for Julie to believe that until she’s eighteen.”
It doesn’t escape my attention that he hasn’t given me a straight answer, which can only mean one thing. He’s not a monk.
“Good luck with that,” I murmur.
“I don’t want her to ever think she’s not the most important person to me.”
“Eric, you don’t owe me any explanations. For what it’s worth, though, it’s a great explanation.”
He studies me for a beat but doesn’t say anything else. The air between us grows thick with tension again. I hold his gaze until it becomes too much, and then I break the eye contact. Luckily, Julie, Alice, and Nadine arrive.
“Dad, Alice and Nadine had an awesome idea. I told them I love the Harry Potter series, and that we’re rewatching it on Saturday, and guess what?”
“What?” Eric asks. My stomach clenches. I have the nagging suspicion I know where this is going.
“They told me Pippa loves it too. We should invite her to watch it with us.”
Eric and I turn to my sister and Nadine in unison.
“Please, Daddy,” Julie insists.
Uh-oh. She’s making those puppy eyes Eric can’t resist. He’ll agree to it before he utters one word.
“Pippa, if you don’t have any plans this weekend, would you like to join us on Saturday afternoon?” Eric asks.
“Sure,” I reply out loud, my heart stuttering in my chest. Bad, bad idea. I can barely resist Eric in an open space like my office or a party with hundreds of people. Being in his home feels too intimate, especially for two people who can’t keep their eyes off each other. What will happen with the lights out? The mere thought makes me shiver.