Late Nights & Love Lines (Single Dad Hotline #2)

22. You’ve handled worse things than playdates

22

YOU’VE HANDLED WORSE THINGS THAN PLAYDATES

ROWAN

“ H oney, we’re home.”

I stand quickly from where I’m bent over searching the fridge and whack my head on the refrigerator door. I’m still rubbing my scalp when Bella and Tabby walk around the corner. They both have a baby attached to them with a baby carrier.

What the heck do they put in the water here? A baby boom has exploded all over town.

“Ah, hi?” Was I supposed to be expecting them?

“We come bearing gifts,” Tabby says cheerily. I’ve yet to see her offer anything but golden retriever energy. It’s as though her only setting is sunshine and rainbows.

She places a tray of cupcakes on the counter with one hand, holding the hand of a little girl in the other, all while bouncing the sleeping baby she’s wearing.

Talk about multitasking.

“They’re beet cupcakes,” Bella clarifies. “Tabby uses us as guinea pigs for her bakery downtown.”

“Oh, that’s…nice.”

Tabby waves me off. “Kids will eat anything with frosting and it’s their opinion I trust.”

“The guys have taken over Beck’s house, and Stella’s oldest wasn’t feeling well, so we grabbed Ruby here and are invading your space for a playdate,” Bella explains. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Oh, does your husband work with them too?” I saw him in the kitchen at Beck’s house, but I thought he was a teenager at first.

Bella holds up her hand. “Fiancé, but yes. Teddy’s Crystal Waters’ legal counsel.”

Ruby wiggles free from Tabby’s hand and bounces excitedly. “Where’s Kade?”

Her enthusiasm draws a chuckle out of me. These two are going to be trouble together.

“He’s all the way upstairs on the third…”

She’s tearing off through the house in search of the staircase before I finish.

“How’s Miles doing?” Bella asks, keeping her gaze downcast. She’s a wispy little thing that floats around as though she has wings helping her along. She’s also painfully shy but attempting to be social, that much is clear. I thought I was shy, but now I know I’m just closed off because I’ve got nothing on this woman.

She stands two steps behind Tabby as though she needs a shield, and for her part, Tabby seems to understand her triggers and moves as though she’s trying not to startle her.

It’s similar to how the guys were in the kitchen the other night at Beck’s house. They all move in perfect harmony with each other, as if they’ve been doing it their entire lives.

“Um, Miles is doing well,” I say, finally remembering she asked a question. “He’s still recovering, so he basically has unlimited screen time.”

Tabby ushers Bella to a stool while she openly helps herself to a tour. “Where is he? I wanted to give him a cupcake.”

“Oh, he’s in Sebastian’s room for now. Kade has too much energy for them to both be in the bunk room right now.”

“And Seren? Where’s she?”

My nose wrinkles and my palms begin to itch because I’m not sure how to handle this inquisition.

“She went to use the music room at camp. Leo said it was fine now that Lottie’s crew is gone. I’m not sure what will happen when he has actual campers, but for now, it’s a good place for her to be.”

“Good, good,” Tabby says. She scans the place as though she’s planning to rob it.

“Is…everything okay?”

“So with the littles in the bunk room, Miles in Sebastian’s room, Seren at camp, and the babes unable to speak, we’re basically alone?”

“Uh, yeah. I guess so.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but Tabby’s smile grows three sizes, then she places a hand to hold her baby to her and scurries across the room. Once she’s seated next to Bella, they both prop their chins in their hands and stare at me expectantly.

“Can I get you a drink?” I’m so out of my element here. I don’t play hostess. I don’t do girls’ nights, and I live alone for a reason. I have no idea how this is supposed to go.

Tabby makes a show of checking her watch. “Nope. Not five yet. But if we’re still here at five we’ll share a bottle of wine with you.”

My gaze immediately whips to the clock above the oven. It’s just after one. Are they seriously planning to be here for four hours?

“Take a breath, Row.” Bella should be the yoga instructor instead of Leo. Her voice could calm most people with simple words, but I’m a tornado touching down.

I can’t entertain these women for four hours.

“Um, will you excuse me for one minute?” The panic must be showing on my face because they nod sympathetically.

I scramble up the stairs to my room, where Sebastian wrote down his number, and I dial it. Well, I try to. My fingers are shaking harder than a freaking leaf on a gusty day and instead of the number six, I press the number nine, three times in a row.

Finally, I get the number correct, and it rings four times before he picks up.

“Sebastian Walker.”

That’s how he answers the phone? Rude.

“It’s me,” I squeak.

“Rowan? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing really. The kids are fine. They’re good. Actually, they’re great. Pappy’s taking a nap on the porch, and Seren walked over to the music room at camp, so everyone’s accounted for.”

“That’s good. So tell me why you sound as though you’re about to hyperventilate.” Damn him for using that commanding tone my body wants so badly to heed.

Sticking my head out of my room, I look up and down the hallway, then quickly shut the door.

“Tabby and Bella are here.”

There’s a long pause as if he didn’t hear me.

“Yes,” he says slowly. “They said something about a playdate when they picked up Ruby.”

He knew they were coming and didn’t warn me? Double rude.

“But it’s not just a playdate for the kids. Miles is in your bed, Seren is at camp, Kade and Ruby are in the bunk room, probably tearing it apart, and the babies don’t play. So it’s me, Tabby, and Bella. And they want to…hang out,” I hiss. “They said if they’re still here at five o’clock they’ll share a bottle of wine with me. Five o’clock. That’s four freaking hours. How the hell am I supposed to entertain them on my own for four whole hours?” I’m aware that my words are pitching higher and gaining speed with each passing second, but fuck me if I can control it.

“I’ll be right back,” Sebastian whispers, but he isn’t speaking to me, so I press my lips into a tight, thin line. Then I hear a door close and the chatter that was coming from his end ceases. “Row, when’s the last time you had a girlfriend?”

“I don’t have girlfriends.”

Another long pause.

“Ever?”

Good grief, guy. Don’t pity me now. Not having friends is the least sad thing about my life.

“I mean, I have Lottie, but we don’t really hang out. Not even in college.” Though not because she didn’t try. “She lives in Tennessee and I…don’t. But I watch TV. Mostly reruns of Gilmore Girls and Friends and sometimes The New Girl , and when they host, they put shit out. Like snacks, and I don’t know, games or something. I’m a Cheese Whiz kind of girl, Seb. Cheese Whiz. Out of a can. I can’t go around giving them hits of Cheese Whiz.”

When he doesn’t immediately say anything, my stomach gurgles as if I’m about to be sick.

“Can I give you some advice?” His voice is soft and kind. It relaxes me more than anything else.

“I guess,” I mutter.

“Be honest with them. They’re there because they want to get to know you, not because they’re trying to take something from you or harm you in any way, I promise. If you tell them what you told me, you’ll find it a lot easier to relax and maybe even enjoy yourself.”

“You want me to tell them that at thirty-three years old I don’t know how to make a friend? What if they ask why?”

“I’m sure they will.”

I gasp audibly, but he speaks over it.

“I also think they’ll respect your boundaries if you set them. They’re good people, Rowan. You should give them a chance. You enjoyed hanging out with them at Beck’s house, right?”

Did I? I thought I was more of an observer, an outsider looking in on a family I’d never be part of, not really an active participant.

“But I didn’t have to do anything there. I don’t know how to host.” And that’s the crux of it. I’m embarrassed I can’t do something as simple as host a playdate. I never arranged them as a nanny. I always brought the kids to the library or the kiddie gym. And something about hosting in Sebastian’s home makes it feel more…domestic. I don’t do domestic.

“You do, Rowan. That’s your home too. Share it with them and see how it goes. If it all blows up and you get the impulse to run, tell them you need to check on Miles and hang out with him for a bit, but I’m confident the time with them will go by in a flash.”

“You could have warned me,” I say petulantly.

“I did, sweetheart. Try checking your text messages sometime. I’ve got to get back into my meeting. Are you okay?”

“No.”

“I believe in you. You can do this.” His smile broadcasts through the phone.

“That’s supposed to be my line,” I grumble.

“I’ll call you later.”

“Fine. And Seb?”

“Yeah?” The noise around him picks back up.

“Thank you.”

He’s silent for three long beats.

“I’m always here for you, Peach. I’m really glad that you called me. Try to have fun.”

I nod and hang up before he hears how his words affect me.

In a panic, I called him. I don’t think I’ve gone to anyone for help or comfort since I was eleven years old.

I’m in so much trouble.

Tabby’s distinct laughter fills the silence, reminding me that I can’t stay up here forever.

Okay, Rowan Ellis. You can do this. It’s only two women. It’ll be a piece of cake. No problem. You’ve handled much worse.

With that embarrassingly inadequate pep talk complete and two knocks on the doorframe for good luck, I march back to the kitchen as though I’m entering the death chamber. I just hope this isn’t my last meal.

“Okay,” I say far too loudly. Wow, get it together, Row . “Um, so here’s the deal. I don’t know how to do this.” I wave my hand frantically between me and them. “Or this.” My hand extends around the kitchen. “I’ve never done any of it before. It’s making my hands very sweaty, and my heart might stop any second. Either that or my breakfast is about to evacuate in a very disgusting way. It’s a toss-up, really.”

There. I did it. That wasn’t so hard.

They both stare at me with wide eyes, and I’m forced to wipe my palms on my shorts.

“You don’t know how to do what, babe?” Tabby’s voice doesn’t carry anything but kindness.

“This.” I point from me to her. Doesn’t that explain it all?

“Are you nervous?” Bella asks, and I swear understanding flashes in her pretty blue eyes.

“I passed nervous when you two sat down.” If I speak any faster the words will be a jumbled mess.

“Are you saying you don’t know how to hang out?” Tabby’s brow furrows, but I’m also pretty sure she’s seconds away from climbing over the island to wrap me in a hug.

I take a step back.

“Hang out. Host. Make friends. Whatever you want to call it.”

Huh. That wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

“You didn’t have any friends at home?” Bella asks.

And the nerves are back twofold.

“I never stay in one place very long, so it wasn’t worth it.”

“And when you were a kid?” Tabby asks.

“Not sure. Maybe in elementary school, but after my dad died, everything changed.”

Bella sucks in a gasp, drawing my attention to her pale face. “We might have more in common than you think.” She smiles, but it showcases a sadness I thought I’d buried years ago.

“Let me get this straight.” Tabby paces the length of the island while mindlessly patting her son’s back. “You’re telling me you never had any of the traditional girlfriend-type experiences?”

I shrug. “Like what? I don’t feel as though I missed out on anything, if that’s what you mean.”

“No.” She stops abruptly with her index finger pointed at me. “So, you never had sleepovers, got ready for prom with friends, or got so drunk at a party the cops brought you home?”

“I’m pretty sure having the cops bring you home isn’t a traditional anything,” Bella interrupts.

“Sneaking out in the middle of the night to watch the stars?” I shake my head and keep shaking as she keeps going. “Camping? Shopping? Wine nights? Clubbing? Pajama parties where you do spa treatments? Nothing?”

“Tabs, you’re making her feel worse,” Bella mutters out of the side of her mouth.

The truth is, I don’t have any feelings about missing any of that. I’ve never thought about it because it wasn’t an option.

“Did you at least go to a school dance?” Tabby’s wobbly chin says she’s about to burst into tears. How the heck did this get so heavy so quickly?

“No,” I say as unemotionally as I can, even if my body is gearing up for an epic fight-or-flight response.

Tabby exhales harshly, then pulls out her phone and rage-types a three-minute message while I stand shifting from foot to foot and Bella tries to ease my worries with her gentle smile.

“Okay.” Tabby finally disengages from her phone. “We’ve got a lot of time to make up for. We’ll start by hanging out today, and maybe have a wine night tonight, but don’t you worry, we’re going to give you all the experiences.”

“No, that’s not…I mean, I don’t?—”

Tabby stalks me with catlike intent and I almost laugh at how fitting her name is. Then she launches herself at me while managing to turn her body to the side, so when she wraps me in a crushing hug, she doesn’t squish her baby.

“It’s okay to be scared, Row. I’ve been there. I spent years not being able to trust anyone because of what Leo put me through when we were younger. They were very lonely years, but slowly, I learned to let people in. And we’ll be here for you while you find and expand your limits on trust. We’ve got you, babe.”

Good God, how long is she going to keep me locked in this embrace?

“Now I understand why you were hiding on the deck at Beck’s house at dinner the other night, but no more. We’re going to give you the ultimate girlfriend experience.” She finally releases me, then takes me by the sweaty hand and leads me to the sofa and tells me to sit.

Reaching over, I angle the baby monitors so I can hear Miles if he needs something and turn up the volume on the video one in the bunk room. Kade and Ruby appear to be making a fort using every blanket they can find. I’m still busy silently begging for one of the boys to call for me when Tabby and Bella walk back into the family room with a charcuterie board I’ve never seen before and three bottles of sparkling water.

Then they sit around the coffee table and start talking about their day, their plans, and past experiences. I excuse myself a couple of times to check on Miles and take deep, shaky breaths.

Kade and Ruby came down for a snack, bounced around the house, and are now cuddled together in yet another fort watching a movie. Even Miles felt well enough to come down and join them. He’s now sprawled out on the sofa with his head in my lap, and I don’t even really hate it. Seren texted a few minutes ago to say she was on her way home, and Pappy made his way in about an hour ago. When our eyes locked, I swear he shed a tear.

Tabby turns to me with a giant smile and a mischievous glint in her gaze. “It’s five o’clock, Row. You ready for that wine?”

I nearly topple over the side of the sofa when I twist my body to look at the clock. Five-twenty-five.

Holy shit, I did it.