Breaking the Single Mom's Rules by JC Harroway

Author:JC Harroway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-30T13:46:48+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY Grady knocked at the red front door where the six-year-old’s party was being held, a big smile at the ready so he didn’t display any of his uncertainties to Molly. He glanced down at his daughter, relieved to see her happy and so excited that she couldn’t keep still.

Despite the positive signs, his stomach pinched with nerves. She looked adorable dressed as a princess, but he couldn’t stave off the trepidation that he’d somehow messed up Molly’s outfit.

After all, what did a six-foot-three ex-soldier like him know about princesses?

Not for the first time, he questioned that his efforts as a solo dad were enough for his daughter. He’d left the army before Molly was born, as soon as Carol had begun making noises about pursuing a new career in the airline industry. Sometimes he missed the camaraderie and varied work of his old career. Although at the time he’d consoled himself that Molly had needed stability and consistency.

He still feared that she might need a more dependable female influence, especially on days like today.

Interrupting his pity party that, through the choices he and Carol had made, they were letting down their beautiful girl, the front door swung open and the host mum appeared, surrounded by a parade of similarly dressed princesses all craning their necks to assess the new arrival.

‘Hi,’ Grady said to the woman, gripping Molly’s hand tighter. ‘This is Molly and I’m Nash Grady, her dad.’

He was so out of his depth that his palms were sweating.

Molly smiled sweetly and handed over their wrapped gift to another princess that Grady presumed was the birthday girl. Squeals of excitement ensued among the princesses.

To his utter relief, Lucy appeared, immediately taking Molly’s free hand.

As if attuned to her presence, he glanced into the hallway, instantly spying Kat, who was looking down, manoeuvring her way out through the animated throng.

The sight of her triggered a cascade of testosterone in his blood. His heart jerked an erratic rhythm in his chest the way it had when he’d almost caved and kissed her in the staffroom after they’d both admitted that one time hadn’t been enough.

He’d been so tempted to suggest another hook-up but he didn’t want to hurt her the way she’d been hurt before, so instead they’d decided on friendship.

As if hearing his internal groan of frustration, Kat looked up. Their eyes met. Static buzzed in Grady’s head, the chatter of children and words of the host fading.

Damn, she looked good, her face relaxed and her hair free of its practical work ponytail. She smiled, the hesitant but intimate smile he both loved and dreaded. He could be her friend. It made sense for both of them to avoid further complications.

Nope, sense was overrated. He just wanted to barge past the five and six-year-olds and kiss Kat again until he’d reminded her how good they’d been together.

Aware that he was staring, he looked away as Kat finally managed to exit the front door to join him on the doorstep.

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