“So, you going to come?”
I whipped around to Will’s voice. He was standing in his doorway and my body went into overdrive with desire. He looked so sexy in his jeans, white t-shirt, and bare feet. His hair was wet, which I imagined meant he and Mollie had been swimming.
Around his legs, a little head peeked around. “Is she coming?” her soft voice asked.
He quirked a brow.
“Let me put my things down and I’ll be right over.”
They both smiled, and new longing filled my heart. A desire to be a part of their little unit.
Chapter 6
Will
This was probably a mistake, but anyone who could make my child smile while talking about school, after she’d been so miserable, deserved a little thank you. What made it not a good idea was how much I continued to crave Ellie. It didn’t make sense. Even Mollie’s mother hadn’t filled up so much space in my head as Ellie did. I dreamt of going down on her last night, something she never did let me do. I jacked off to the image of her riding me while I was in the shower when I woke to a raging hardon from the dream.
To see her outside of Mollie’s classroom confused me, partly because my first thought was wanting to see her naked. Not a good thought when taking your kid to school. But also, I didn’t know she was going to be Mollie’s new teacher. It highlighted just how much we didn’t talk about anything significant despite the fact we’d spent the weekend together. I usually preferred that when I was with a woman. There was no future, so there was no reason to learn about each other beyond the basics, such as ‘do you like it when I suck your tits’. But now, I wished I’d gotten to know more about Ellie. And at that thought, the warning bell that said I was thinking too much about this woman went off in my head again.
“Daddy, do you think mermaids can live in pools?” Mollie asked me when I picked her up from school. I’d been hoping to catch a glimpse of Ellie then, but Ms. Hatcher had done the parent-pick-up duty.
“I don’t know.” I drove the few miles to our condo.
“Ms. Webb said they could because it has water too.”
As I parked the car, I looked at Mollie. Her face was lighter and her eyes brighter than normal after a day at school. “That makes total sense. Especially since you love the pool and I’m certain you’re at least part mermaid.”
“Daddy.” She laughed, and the sound of it was the most glorious thing in the world.
I’d been scared shitless when Tiffany told me she was pregnant. Even more scared when Mollie was barely home from the hospital and Tiffany walked out, leaving the signed papers that gave me full custody and rights. It had thrown me because I’d been considering asking Tiffany to marry me, not out of love because that was gone by then. No, my intention to marry her was to do right by her and Mollie.
I’d had a good upbringing and supportive family, but I hadn’t ever thought about love and marriage and kids until then. I was just about to graduate from college. But once Mollie was in my arms, it was like she’d been my future the whole time. My life was hers, and I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy. So, it was really frustrating that her last teacher and the principal patronized me regarding Mollie’s complete misery at school.
When Mollie showed me her picture today, I knew I had to thank Ellie, because, for the first time since Mollie had started kindergarten back in September, I’d seen her be excited about school. So, I drew my own picture and taped it to her door. I considered not adding the cherries because…well, she was my kid’s teacher now. But in the end, I thought she might get a laugh, which she did.
“I hope you like mac and cheese.” I winked at Ellie as I let her in.
“She does daddy, I told you.” Mollie stood next to me.
“I love mac and cheese.” Ellie squatted down to Mollie’s height. “Thank you for remembering and inviting me to dinner.”
Mollie blushed. “Welcome.” Then she hid her face in my leg.
“Dinner is ready if you are. I slaved all afternoon.” I nodded toward the boxes of macaroni and cheese on my kitchen counter.
“It does take a special talent to mix up mac and cheese.”
The next bit of amazement was how much more talkative Mollie was during dinner. She was always open with me but would clam up when others were around. The fact that she chatted with Ellie was a new thing. For a time, I could only stare at her Ellie in awe. She looked at me and raised a brow, an indication that perhaps I was gawking.