10. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Dawson
I’ve created a monster. Finn loves, and I mean loves , The Pie. We’ve eaten here three times this week. Making somewhat balanced meals is a priority for me, but work is like raking leaves in a windstorm. I’ve gone nonstop, and no matter how hard I try, it’s never ending. I can’t keep up, and cooking is the last thing I’ve wanted to do.
Finn and I sit in the front corner of the restaurant at five on Friday night. I purposely chose an earlier time to beat the weekend college crowd. We’re waiting for Chloe to arrive. This was the only way we could find time to discuss food for the festival. I’m grateful Chloe’s willing to meet with me around my schedule.
Glancing around, I stare at the thousands of names covering the brick walls written in every color of sharpie. Neon-red and stained glass light fixtures hang from the ceiling, creating an old-school underground club vibe. Music plays overhead and the TVs in the corners of the room are running football highlights .
Finn’s telling me about a new game his friends are playing at recess. Chloe walks in the front door. She looks amazing in tight jeans and a rust-colored shirt.
I do something I’m constantly asking Finn not to do to me—interrupt him mid-sentence. “Chloe’s here. Would you like to bring her to the table?”
Finn’s eyes glow when he spots Chloe. I think he’s found a new friend.
Standing, I wait to greet Chloe.
“Hey,” she says, holding Finn’s hand as he drags her to our table.
“Hi. How are you?”
She smiles. “Tired, but good. You?”
I waffle my hand in the air. “About the same. Thank you for accommodating us by meeting here.”
She scoots into the booth next to Finn. “The food here is great. You can’t blame the kid for having good taste buds. And pizza is an option for the festival. We can ask about pricing and any discounts they might offer for catering for a hundred and fifty people.”
I flash her a smile. “I’m not a festival person, but I have to say taste testing is one part I don’t mind doing.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She smiles back at me. “Have you guys ordered?” Chloe looks from me to Finn.
“We were waiting for you,” Finn says, grabbing her arm, like we’re in a haunted house and Chloe will save him from the scary chainsaw guy—except Finn’s not scared, he’s delighted .
Chloe taps her fingers on the back of Finn’s hand. In a friendly way, or a please stop touching me manner, I’m not sure. “What do you want to eat?”
He shoots her a dry look. “Duh. Pepperoni pizza.”
She nods. “Right. I remember. What about you, Dawson?”
“I’ll eat anything. What do you want?”
“We’ll want to try out a salad, breadsticks, pizza, and dessert.” She looks over the menu. “I’ll have the deluxe salad and a small slice of pizza. I don’t care what kind. You can choose, Dawson. Let’s get the cheesy Pull-A-Part bread and the Cinn-A-Part for dessert. We can decide based on pricing if this is what we want to do.”
“One small pepperoni for the wise guy.” I reach over, tousling Finn’s hair. “A salad for the lady.” I refrain from touching Chloe. “And a buffalo chicken ranch for you and me, plus the bread and dessert. I’ll be right back.”
After ordering at the front register as quickly as possible, I head back to the table with water glasses in hand.
“I get to make a Me Poster, just like Judy Moody !” Finn tells Chloe, bouncing in his seat. “What should I put on there? Dad says a football because I’m starting flag football.”
Setting the cups on the table, I take a seat across from Finn and Chloe.
“When is your poster due?” Chloe asks.
“The end of September. Right, Dad?” Finn looks at me.
“Correct. We have plenty of time to work on it.” Time I need, considering how stretched thin I am.
Chloe tears the wrapper off her straw. “When does flag football start? ”
“Tomorrow.” Finn’s eyes go as wide as the silver pizza platters they serve the food on. “Chloe, will you come watch me?” He grabs onto her arm again. “Please?” he begs with his classic puppy dog eyes and jutted lip.
Chloe circles a finger around Finn’s face, then looks at me. “I don’t know how you say no to that face.”
“Some days are harder than others.”
“No kidding.” Turning back to Finn, she says, “Saturdays are tricky for me. I work in the morning and usually have plans with friends and family for the Utah football games in the afternoons. But your Dad and I have more things to figure out for this festival we’re throwing. Maybe we can chat while we watch you play?”
Dawson nods. “Actually, that would be great, if you’re willing to come to his game.”
“Really?” Finn asks, his hopeful gaze bounces between Chloe and me.
“Looks like I’ll be there,” Chloe confirms. “What’s your team name?”
“We’re the Broncos,” Finn says.
Chloe rubs the side of her nose. “Cool. I bet your team is way better than the NFL Broncos.”
Finn’s head tilts to the side. “Huh?”
Chloe and I laugh.
“It means I think you will be an awesome football player. Do you have a favorite professional sports team you follow?”
“Dad likes the Niners so I watch them too.”
She coughs, “ Old news.”
Old news? “We were in the Super Bowl earlier this year,” I say.
“And lost.” Chloe leans toward me. “I like college football more than the NFL, but I can assure you my team is better than yours.”
Why are women who love sports so sexy? Not that I’m interested in Chloe. I’m simply stating a fact. “Who’s your team?”
“The Chiefs.”
Finn winces. “Dad doesn’t like them,” he says, shaking his head. “He says they’ve gotten too much attention lately.”
She raises her brows. “Yeah, because they’re good. You might recall they won the Super Bowl against your team? Twice.” She holds up two fingers.
I’m saved from answering her by our order number being called. “I’ll go get our dinner.” And maybe another time we can debate the merits of our football teams.
It takes two trips to get all our stuff brought over. Our conversation focuses mainly on what Finn wants to talk about, which is video games and his friends. The time passes quickly and before I know it, we’re walking up the stairs to the parking lot behind the building, a laden to-go bag in hand.
“Dad, can we watch another episode of Pokémon tonight?”
Chloe pats my shoulder. “Sounds riveting.”
There’s only so many episodes of trainers catching different species I can handle. But Finn’s been amazing to do his own thing this week while I worked a ton of overtime. “Yeah, bud. We can watch a couple before bath time tonight. ”
“Yes!” he cheers. “Can Chloe come?”
“Chloe probably has things to do tonight.”
“Actually…” she winces. “I was hoping we’d discuss our thoughts on the food and other menu options tonight. But I can text or call you about it later.”
I’m exhausted. Our house is an absolute mess. I’m ready to sit on the couch, zoning out for a few minutes before gearing myself up for a few more hours of work tonight. But I’m the one who offered to help in order to impress my boss and keep our clients happy. “It’s fine. We need to keep on track or else the festival won’t happen.”
Chloe gazes at me, her eyes narrowing the slightest as she examines my face. I keep my expression neutral.
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll follow behind you,” Chloe says, digging her keys out of her purse.
“Tonight’s the best night ever!” Finn shouts, jumping.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” I click the unlock button on my key fob. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s head home.”
Finn climbs in the back seat. I seize the opportunity to warn Chloe about the state of cleanliness at our house. “Chloe, wait up.”
She turns, facing me. “Yeah?”
Rubbing a hand along the side of my neck, I say, “Listen. I wasn’t expecting company and I’ve been working a ton this week. Don’t judge my house based on what you see tonight, okay?”
Her brows raise. “Wow. I think you’re the first guy I’ve met who cares what his cleaning skills are. But yeah, don’t worry. You’re a working single parent. I get it.” She holds up three fingers in a scout salute. “Promise, there is no judgment from me.”
I sigh in relief. “Thanks. See you in a few minutes.”
She smiles reassuringly at me. “See you.”