Single Dad Next Door – by Daisy Flynn
A Brother’s Best Friend Clean Romance – published Nov2023
Description –
When my life exploded after a stab in the ribs (NOT my ribs), I thought my life would never be sane again.
Now my Ex is behind bars, and my assistant just quit!
Being a single dad is hard enough.
All I want is to build my business and raise a happy child.
Is that too much to ask?
So, who is this whirlwind woman taking over my life?
First, she takes over my office.
Then she steals my son’s affections.
Even my best friend loves her.
And now her electric blue eyes haunt my dreams.
Falling for this five-foot-nothing spitfire might be the biggest mistake of my life, or the best decision I ever made.
Pick up your copy of Daisy Flynn’s November 2023 Clean Romance Release, Single Dad Next Door
Amazon.com – available in ebook and paperback Nov2023
Sample –
CHAPTER ONE
Trey
“I quit!” Louise took her purse out of her desk drawer, put the strap over her shoulder, and headed for the door.
“Louise! Wait! I’m sorry, don’t go.”
She stopped and turned around. “You know, when I started working for you five years ago, I actually enjoyed working here. Even when you went through all that trouble with your wife, you never took out your frustrations on me. I don’t know what’s going on with you lately, but I don’t have to put up with this kind of treatment.”
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I didn’t mean to say that you’re incompetent. It’s not true. I know your work is impeccable. I don’t know what came over me.”
“I believe you, but it changes nothing. I’ve been thinking for some time now that I should retire, and you just decided for me. Whatever is going on with you, I hope you get some help soon, or you’ll be managing your company alone.”
She paused a moment, sighed, and continued. “I wish you well, Trey. Deep down inside, I know there’s a good man, and I hope he finds his way out of this deep well you’re hiding him in.” And with that, she walked out the door.
Stunned, and totally frustrated at myself, I realized Louise was right. I needed help. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I made a call and set up a meeting.
A few hours later, I left the office and walked across the street to one of our favorite pubs. Ordering a drink, I worried and waited.
“Hey man,” I turned, and there stood Andre, my best friend. I watched as he settled on the stool beside me and gave his order to the bartender. While they talked, I yawned and ran a hand through my hair. I ought to be sleeping now.
“You don’t look so good,” my attention returned to Andre, watching me with worry etched on his face. “Are you getting any sleep?”
Another yawn slipped from my lips, and I ran a hand through my messy locks. “I wouldn’t say I’m not getting any sleep. The keyword is enough sleep. I haven’t been sleeping well for a while now, and that’s led to poor concentration at work. And the icing on the cake … Louise just quit. I need your help and guidance.”
He turned to thank the bartender and took a sip of his drink. “Business is going well, right? You should be on top of the world. So, what got Louise upset enough to quit? She’s always seemed like a calm and practical person to me.”
“Business is up and we’re growing so fast.” Sighing, I took another gulp of beer. “I knew Louise was over-extended, but I didn’t realize how much of my stress I was dumping on her. I ignored the signs that she was unhappy, and now she’s gone. And … I don’t blame her.”
Andre chuckled, “You know what they say about the heart growing fonder.” I nodded my head in agreement, as he continued. “Is it just the workload, or is there more to it than that? I can’t imagine being busy would get you in the state you’re in now. I mean, lack of concentration has never been an issue with you. At least not since I’ve known you.”
I couldn’t meet his gaze, so I stared at my drink.
“Actually, work isn’t why I can’t sleep. Katlyn has started writing to me again. I already went through this, and I just don’t have the energy to go through it again. She’s sending letters every couple of weeks now. I can’t even bear to open them.”
“Then don’t open them.” In a firm voice, he said, “there’s nothing she can do. You can’t stop her from sending them. Toss them out or put them in a box for when you feel up to it, and get your focus back on the here and now. What are you doing about your assistant?”
“I’ve got to put out an ad, I suppose. I doubt I can muster the energy to start interviews. What a mess this is.”
“You can’t continue on this way.” Andre looked at me with sympathy showing on his face.
“No, but I need to find a qualified assistant, and that could take time. Louise worked with me for almost five years, and we grew together to make a great team. For a while, at least. Finding someone with the same connection and talent is a lot of work. When do I have the time for that?” I groaned.
“You can’t be serious about finding an assistant then.” Andre dismissed with a wave of his hand. “You need to make the time now, so you can have more time later. Procrastinating won’t help.”
“You know a lot of people. Do you know of anyone you can refer? I don’t care about credentials. Just someone who is intelligent, a quick study, willing to put in the time to learn about my business, and with basic phone and office skills. Do you know anyone like that?”
I watched as Andre looked into space in thought. He finally turned towards me with a smile. “I might have the perfect person, but I’m not guaranteeing anything yet. Let me ask first. She’s over qualified, but she’s looking to relocate, and this could be her chance to get established here. And a plus for you, she has a degree in Business Administration!”
My attention was hooked. “Thank you! Can you call her tomorrow and let me know? I really appreciate this. It would ease my mind, so I could focus on work.”
“You’re serious?” Andre chuckled at my tone. I nodded and shrugged. “You would hire someone based solely on my recommendation?” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“I trust your judgment, and it would save me a lot of time and effort. You can tell her I’ll even reimburse her travel expenses if she can be here in two weeks.”
“I’ll let you know what she decides.” Andre raised his glass towards me in a toast.
“Thank you!” And just like that, I felt a weight lifted off my chest. “And I’m going to take your suggestion regarding Katlyn as well. There’s nothing she can say that will change my mind.”
“Good. But you have to promise me something,” and he waited for me to nod. “If I recommend someone to this job and you hire them, you can’t run them off like you did to Louise. You understand me?”
“Yeah, I get it. I’ll be good, or I’ll get help if this doesn’t get me back on track. I promise.”
Andre watched me for a moment, before he broke the silence. “It’s been a while since I saw your little man. How has Greg been?”
At the thought of my son, I groaned. “Let’s just say he’s ALWAYS at the top of my worries list. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep up with how fast that boy is growing. He’s getting more independent by the day, and I worry that he’ll soon be too much of a handful for mom.”
“Well, I think he’s a lot like you,” Andre teased, and I glared at him. “I remember your mother telling me stories about you as a child. According to her, Greg’s antics don’t hold a candle to what you put her through, so I think you still have a little time there.”
I chuckled at the memory of the stories my mom often told about my childhood. “I guess that’s the karma I never planned for.”
Andre nodded in agreement. “You’re doing a wonderful job,” he commented. “Not everyone can handle a fast-growing business and raising a child as a single parent. That’s admirable. I hope I do half as wonderful when I have kids. Well … IF I have kids, that is.”
For a moment, I saw flashbacks of the past, but I suppressed those memories. Bringing up thoughts of my failed marriage would only weigh me down. I needed to focus on the future, not the past.
I sighed. “Right now, I feel I need a solid week of sleep just to catch up. That’s how tired I am.”
“Make time this weekend.” Andre suggested, and I knew he was right. “One weekend away from work won’t make that much of a difference, but a good night’s sleep would make a world of difference for you. Why don’t you take Greg out to the lake or something? Spend a little time together,” he urged.
“I would love to, except I have a two-week business trip scheduled, and I leave tomorrow,” I revealed. “It’s too important to miss. I’ll be checking in with some of our suppliers, as well as meeting up with more potential investors. It would be great to have that assistant here when I get back, so we could get right into the training.”
“Your trip sounds promising. Good Luck, and I hope it all works out well.” Andre whistled in appreciation. “I guess this calls for a celebration!” And he tapped my glass with his.
I smiled and shook my head. “Nothing’s set in stone yet. We’re still considered a fledgling company, so convincing investors will take a lot of work.”
Andre shook his head as if he thought differently. “This is the new world. You don’t have to be a fifty-year-old company anymore to have clout,” he countered. “It’s what you can offer that matters. All you need is to make them see the potential.”
“And why are you talking down on yourself?” He continued, “you must be tired and not thinking clearly. I don’t think you qualify as a ‘fledgling’ company anymore, considering your output in the last three years, and the gross profits. Give yourself a little credit. You’re building a brand.”
“How do you always know what to say to make me feel better, and just when I need it the most? I wish I could bring you along on this trip as moral support,” I confessed, and tipped my bottle to him in another toast. “Here’s to progress, be it ever so slow.” Andre tapped my glass with his again, and we drank.
A yawn slipped out again, and I apologized. Part of me was curious about who he had in mind as an assistant, but I would take any help at this point.
Yet as we sat there talking, I couldn’t help but hope for more than just an assistant. Someone who would stay and grow to love our company as much as I did. Someone willing to stay long term, through the ups and downs. And she had a business degree. That could lead to a new position as the company grows.
Perhaps that was too much to expect from someone I’d never met, but as my son would say, it never hurts to dream…