Page 14 of Singled Out

The truth was, I wouldn’t be able to function without my supportive family. My mom took care of Daniel full-time while I was at work. Dakota and Levi, my older brother, pitched in whenever I needed extra help. All of them loved Danny as much as I did and were dedicated to giving him a secure, love-filled childhood.

“I’m sorry,” I said to my sister. “I know you’re fully capable.” I grabbed my keys and headed toward the garage.

“Max,” Dakota said, following me. At the door, I stopped and turned. “Try to have fun tonight. Do you remember how to do that?”

I clenched my jaw, holding in a snappy reply. I was learning that nothing good came out of my mouth in the heart of an anxious moment.

“Harper is fun, friendly, funny,” she continued. “I think you’ll like her if you give her a chance.”

“The last thing I need right now is to get involved with someone.”

“Not involved,” she insisted. “She doesn’t want that either.” My sister laughed. “Harper absolutely does not want to be tied down. She dates, but I don’t know if she’s ever had a lasting relationship.”

At least we had one thing in common.

“It’s safe to go out for one night with her, enjoy good food, have a drink or two, dance a little,” my sister continued. “Unlike the football groupies, she won’t be angling for more.”

I didn’t have groupies, but I knew what she meant. Women who were interested because I’d played football in a different lifetime and had the bank account to prove it. Maybe some locals who were interested in the spotlight that came with being the high school coach. They wanted a piece of what they thought public Max could provide and didn’t bother even wondering who I really was, let alone getting to know me.

I’d never found someone worth the energy of letting them get to know me. I’d always figured it would happen someday eventually, but now that I was responsible for Daniel’s well-being and happiness, I wasn’t interested. I intended to give Daniel whatever he needed—time, energy, love. Security. It was the least I could do after fate had taken his parents. I loved that kid so much. I just wanted to give him every fucking thing.

The sound of Danny giggling as a ball clunked and rolled down his ball tower had me walking back to the family room. I bent over him and pressed a loud kiss to the top of his head, which made him laugh more. “Love you, Danny boy.”

He giggled again and looked up at me.

Dakota waited by the door when I came back through. “Take some flowers,” she said.

I stopped in my tracks.

Flowers?

Fuck.

In an attempt to not let on I was so rusty at dating that flowers hadn’t crossed my mind, I continued to the door. “Got it handled. Text me if you need anything.”

“I won’t need anything,” she said. “Have fun, you grump.”

I ignored the insult and said, “Thanks for staying with Danny. See you when I get home.”

I got into my SUV, unlocked my phone, and put Harper’s address into the map app. I hoped like hell Oopsie Daisies was still open, because my sister was right. Flowers were in order.

As I turned onto Main, I caught a glimpse of Esmerelda the llama making her way toward the back of the shops on this side of the square. To the bakery. I couldn’t help grinning at the sight of my friend Ben’s pet llama in spite of my alleged—okay, it was a valid accusation—grumpiness.

I could already hear Ben’s voice in my head, cussing about the animal. He acted like she was a pain in the ass, and really, she was because she kept escaping her enclosure and heading toward the bakery. Ben was the town veterinarian and loved both his llamas though.

Without pulling over, I called Ben.

“I know,” he said instead of a greeting. “Fucking llama. I’m on my way.”

“Good luck,” I told him. “I have plans; otherwise I’d help you catch her.”

“You have a good time with your boss’s daughter,” he deadpanned, then hung up.

Others would help him. There were plenty of people around at this hour to assist with getting the llama into the van and driving her home. That’s what you got for taking in llamas, I thought.

Oopsie Daisies was still open. I parked behind the hardware store, then hurried one block over to the flower shop.

“Hello, Coach Dawson.”