Christmas with the Single Dad (The Single Dads of Seattle Book 5)
Page 23
Uh, fuck no.
“I think we’ll do it somewhere else,” Zak said. “Seattle in the summer is gorgeous.”
“Oooh, a summer wedding,” Tia cooed.
“And you’ll be one of my bridesmaids, right?” Aurora asked.
Tia’s honey-colored eyes went as big as dinner plates. “Yes!” She hugged Aurora so tight, Aurora thought she might crack a rib.
“And you and Uncle Adam will be my best men, right, dude?” Zak asked, playfully pulling the knit cap down over Aiden’s eyes.
Aiden pulled the knit cap back up. “Of course, Dad. Tia and I just want to see you happy.”
Zak turned his head to face Aurora, then linked his hand with her free hand. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, buddy. I’m with my family.”
New Year’s with the Single Dad - Sneak Peek
Single Dads of Seattle Book 6
Chapter 1
Coffee!
He needed coffee.
He needed to hook himself up to an espresso IV or at the very least put his large black coffee into a camel pack on his back.
How in the world was he going to get through this day? This night?
Stomping off the snow from his black dress shoes, and loosening the collar of his coat, Dr. Emmett Strong stepped toward the front counter of the downtown Seattle coffee shop. What were the odds he’d managed to arrive at just the right moment and miss standing in line for twenty minutes?
Were things finally looking up?
It was about time.
He walked up to one of the two barista’s standing there waiting to take orders.
“What can I getcha?” the barista with the goatee asked him, his red tie just slightly crooked.
“Large coffee with two shots of espresso, please. And an everything bagel toasted with cream cheese, lox and cucumber slices.” His brows instantly furrowed as he heard his order come out of his mouth, but then realized it was somehow said in stereo.
The two baristas behind the counter at the side-by-side cash registers gave him an equally surprised, almost spooked look, as well as the person next to him who had apparently ordered the exact same thing at the exact same time.
What were the odds?
He turned to see who shared his taste in breakfasts to find a very attractive woman laughing. Her light brown hair was cut in a sleek bob that fell just beneath her chin and her sky-blue eyes sparkled.
“Good choice,” she said, continuing to laugh. “Just know that if they only have one bagel left, it’s got my name on it. I’m running late for work and I’m freaking starved.”
“You two don’t know each other?” the male barista asked.
Emmett shook his head, so did the striking woman beside him.
“Just kindred breakfast spirits,” she said lightly.
“We have enough bagels for both,” the female barista said, her chipper tone indicating she’d probably had a shot or two—or three—of espresso herself that morning. “Though we’ve never had the exact same order at the exact same time like that. It was spooky.”
The two baristas continued to ring up Emmett and this mystery woman’s breakfast. They both pulled out credit cards and paid, then moved to the side like well-trained cattle so the next hungry Seattle caffeine addict could pump ethically traded Arabica into their bloodstream and make it through the day—and what was inevitably going to be a long night for everyone.
Even though it was now New Year’s Eve day, Christmas decorations still hung from the ceiling and painted the coffee shop windows, and the radio station over the speakers continued to blast out tunes like Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas. He would be glad when they could get back to the regular scheduled programming of tasteful classic rock and no sparkly shit hitting his head as he waited for his bagel.
Until Valentine’s season hit them like that fat winged-baby’s arrow that is, then it’d be all red and pink hearts and more glitter—AKA the herpes of craft supplies. His almost six-year-old daughter, JoJo, loved anything and everything sparkly. He was always finding glitter in the laundry, his shoes—his food.
She needed to keep that crap at her mothers.
He glanced at the woman beside him. She was tall. Not super tall, not taller than his six-three frame, but taller than his ex. Taller than most women.
She held her chin up with a confidence he admired, her eyes laser focused forward, her full lips resting in a kind line. She had a great profile and an air of ease and sureness surrounded her like a soft glow.
He must have been staring too intensely because her eyes slid to the side and she turned to face him. “Think they’ll put the orders up at the same time or are we going to have to duke it out for the first one?”
Emmett’s lip twitched into a small smile. “You can have it.”
Her light blue eyes squinted just slightly and she made a fist with her hand and flexed her coat-covered arm. “You sure you don’t want to arm wrestle for it?”
Emmett chuckled and scanned the coffee shop. “Afraid there are no empty tables.” He snapped his fingers. “Shucks. And I was so looking forward to kicking your butt.”
He’d been in a crappy mood this morning—too much beer at poker night last night—combined with the fact this past year had been complete shit. But this woman’s smile pulled him from the dark place he’d woken up in. In fact, her wide smile made his stomach do a somersault and caused heat to began to pool in various places in his body—various intimate places. “Oh, that’s some ego you got there,” she said, her carefree attitude causing his own shoulders to shake off some of their tension.
“I prefer to simply call it confidence,” he stated, matching her smile.
She stuck her hand out. “Zara Olsen.”
He took her hand. It was soft, but the shake held strength. “Emmett Strong.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. She had a great laugh. “Your last name is Strong?”
He knew his grin was goofy, but he didn’t care. He liked how he felt around this woman. He liked her. “Yep. Told ya, I’d whoop you at an arm wrestle. My name doesn’t lie.”
“Well, if that’s what we’re doing here, my last name isn’t Olsen, it’s Brilliant. Zara Brilliant,” she thrust her hand forward once again, “pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Oh, yeah, he definitely liked her. Pretty and witty—a winning combo if ever there was one.
Twenty years ago, when he was an undergrad on the prowl in a hopping night club, he would have been a drunk idiot and thrown out a line like “Your last name should be Gorgeous.” But he was too smart for that shit now. He shook his head at the memory of how much of a pussy-obsessed beast he’d been. He’d do his best to keep JoJo away from guys like him. His ego back then could have eclipsed the sun.
He fought the urge to shudder at the embarrassing memories.
He wasn’t that guy now.
He’d grown up. He’d matured. He’d become a father to a beautiful little girl who he wanted to wrap in bubble wrap and shield from any and all heartache.
Zara lifted a dark eyebrow at him. “You okay there, Mr. Strongman?” Her very full lips wiggled at one corner as she tried not to smile.
Emmett’s chest shook and he grinned back at her. “Yep, just telling the twenty-year-old in me to not say the line I would have said two decades ago.” Oh, why did he reveal that? Now she’d want to know what he was thinking.
Curiosity stole across her features and she opened her mouth, but they were saved by the barista. “Extra large black coffee, double espresso shot and an everything bagel with cream cheese, lox and cucumber,” the male barista said, interrupting their banter.
Oh, thank God.
Emmett inclined his head forward to offer Zara the coffee and bagel first and was about to say something like, “After you,” when the barista plunked the duplicates down and said, “times two.”
They each reached for their coffees and breakfasts. Emmett’s knuckles brushed hers just as they wrapped their
fingers around their enormous to-go coffee cups and a surge of something he could only define as electric attraction sprinted from his hand straight down between his legs.
“Enjoy your breakfast, Mr. Strong,” Zara said, once again tossing her head back and laughing as she made to leave. She shot him a smile over her shoulder and shook her head, chuckling as she heaved the door open and headed down the sidewalk.
Why hadn’t he asked her to sit and have breakfast with him? Why hadn’t he asked for her number? Why had he just stood there like an idiot and smiled like an idiot and flirted like an idiot, allowing the most beautiful and interesting woman he’d met in a long while walk right out the door?
Because you’re scared. You thought Tiff was the love of your life, your soulmate, and she fucking ripped your heart out and stomped on it. You don’t want that to happen again.
Fuck you. I’m not scared.
Well, you’re talking to yourself … so you’re at the very least a little crazy.
Grumbling, he brought his coffee cup to his lips and took a sip, allowing the caffeine to flood his veins and wake him up. He made his way through the throng of people to the front door. The wind was strong, but thankfully it was only a hop, skip and a five-minute walk to the hospital. Hopefully, he didn’t get blown away on his way there. Hopefully, he ran into Zara again.
And what are you going to do if you do see her? Challenge her to an arm wrestle?
Maybe. Was that such a bad idea? At least he’d get to touch her again.
Emmett groaned. Now he was behaving like a love-sick pre-teen. He wasn’t sure if this was better or worse than the horny twenty-year-old.
He zipped his winter coat all the way up to his neck, put his head down and took off in the direction of work. Maybe sewing people up and treating broken limbs for the next nine hours would put him in a better mood, keep him from thinking about his lonely life and his ex-wife off with Huntley the Moron.
It was New Year’s Eve, and the ER was going to be crazy.
It was New Year’s Eve and Emmett had no one.
It was New Year’s Eve—next year had to be better.
Tomorrow had to be better.
If You’ve Enjoyed This Book
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Thank you again.
Xoxo
Whitley Cox
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank who help along the way. Publishing a book is definitely not a solo mission, that’s for sure. First and foremost, my friend and editor Chris Kridler, you lady are a blessing, a gem and an all-around amazing human being. Thank you for your honesty and hard work.
Thank you, to my critique groups gals, Danielle and Jillian. I love our meetups where we give honest feedback and just bitch about life. You two are my bitch-sisters and I wouldn’t give you up for anything.
Andi Babcock for her beta-read, I always appreciate your attention to detail and comments.
Author Jeanne St. James, my alpha reader and sister from another mister, what would I do without you?
Megan J. Parker-Squiers from EmCat Designs, your covers are awesome. Thank you.
My Naughty Room Readers Crew, authors Jeanne St. James, Erica Lynn and Cailin Briste, I love being part of such a tremendous set of inspiring, talented and supportive women. Thank you for letting me learn, lean on and join the team.
My street team, Whitley Cox’s Curiously Kinky Reviewers, you are all awesome and I feel so blessed to have found such wonderful fans.
The ladies in Vancouver Island Romance Authors, your support and insight have been incredibly helpful, and I’m so honored to be a part of a group of such talented writers.
Author Cora Seton for your help, tweaks and suggestions for my blurbs, as always, they come back from you so sparkly. I also love our walks, talks and heart-to-hearts, they mean so much to me.
Authors Kathleen Lawless, Nancy Warren and Jane Wallace, I love our writing meetups. Wine, good food and friendship always make the words flow.
The Small Human and the Tiny Human, you are the beats and beasts of my heart, the reason I breathe and the reason I drink. I love you both to infinity and beyond.
And lastly, of course, the husband. You are my forever. I love you.
Also by Whitley Cox
Love, Passion and Power: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 1
Love, Passion and Power: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 2
Sex, Heat and Hunger: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 3
Sex, Heat and Hunger: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 4
Hot and Filthy: The Honeymoon
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 4.5
True, Deep and Forever: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 5
True, Deep and Forever: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Book 6
Hard, Fast and Madly: Part 1
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 7
Hard, Fast and Madly: Part 2
The Dark and Damaged Hearts Series Book 8
Quick & Dirty
Book 1, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Quick & Easy
Book 2, A Quick Billionaires Novella
Quick & Reckless
Book 3, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Hot Dad
Lust Abroad
Snowed In & Set Up
Quick & Dangerous
Book 4, A Quick Billionaires Novel
Hired by the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 1
Dancing with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 2
Saved by the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 3
Living with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 4
Christmas with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 5
Upcoming
New Years with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 6
Valentine’s with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 7
Neighbours with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 8
Flirting with the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 9
Falling for the Single Dad
The Single Dads of Seattle, Book 10
Lost Hart
The Harty Boys Book 2
About the Author
A Canadian West Coast baby born and raised, Whitley is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have two beautiful daughters and a fluffy dog. She spends her days making food that gets thrown on the floor, vacuuming Cheerios out from under the couch and making sure that the dog food doesn't end up in the air conditioner. But when nap time comes, and it's not quite wine o'clock, Whitley sits down, avoids the pile of laundry on the couch, and writes.
A lover of all things decadent; wine, cheese, chocolate and spicy erotic romance, Whitley brings the humorous side of sex, the ridiculous side of relationships and the suspense of everyday life into her stories. With mommy wars, body issues, threesomes, bondage and role playing, these books have everything we need to satisfy the curious kink in all of us.
You can also find me here
Website: WhitleyCox.com
Twitter: @WhitleyCoxBooks
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Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CoxWhitley/
Blog: https://whitleycox.blogspot.ca/
Multi-Author Blog: https://romancewritersbehavingbadly.blogspot.com
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