Worth the Fall: A Single Dad, Romantic Comedy (Flirting with Forever Book 2)

The late morning sun filters through the trees as we walk down the winding path of the zoo, the hum of excited voices and the occasional call of animals filling the air. Felicity skips ahead of us, clutching the map she insisted on carrying, her curls bouncing with every step. She’s determined to visit the giraffes first, despite the fact that we’ve already passed three other enclosures that caught her eye.

I glance at Mia walking beside me, her hand brushing mine occasionally. She’s dressed casually in jeans and a soft green blouse that makes her eyes stand out, her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She smiles as Felicity calls out for us to hurry, and my chest warms at the sight.

‘Thanks for taking the day off,’ I say, leaning a little closer to her.

She glances up at me, her smile soft. ‘Are you kidding? When Felicity makes a request like that, how can I say no?’

I chuckle, keeping my voice low so Felicity doesn’t overhear. ‘She’s been asking me every night if tomorrow would be another Mia day. I think she’s starting to believe you’re part of the package now.’

Mia laughs, the sound light and genuine. ‘She’s sweet. And honestly, I was just as excited. I haven’t been to the zoo in years.’

‘Then you’re in for a treat,’ I say, my voice dropping slightly. ‘Though I’m more excited to see you pretending to know everything about the animals for Felicity’s sake.’

She smirks, nudging me with her elbow. ‘What makes you think I don’t know everything? Maybe I’m secretly an animal expert.’

‘Oh yeah?’ I tease, leaning in closer. ‘Alright, Professor Mason. Tell me all about the natural habitat of a giraffe.’

She opens her mouth, probably to deliver some clever retort, but Felicity’s shriek of excitement interrupts us. ‘Daddy! Look! It’s the giraffes!’

We laugh and quicken our pace to catch up with her, but as we do, I notice something. Mia’s responses have been shorter today, her usual quick wit dimmed. She smiles, she laughs, but there’s something quieter about her, like she’s keeping part of herself at a distance.

When we reach the giraffe enclosure, Felicity presses her hands against the glass, completely mesmerized by the tall, graceful creatures. Mia takes a step closer to her, crouching down to point something out, and I use the moment to study her.

The way her shoulders are slightly tense, the way her gaze shifts quickly between Felicity and the giraffes—it’s subtle, but I notice. Something’s on her mind.

When she straightens up, I step closer. ‘Hey,’ I say softly, ‘you okay?’

She looks up at me, her lips curving into a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘Yeah. I’m fine.’

I tilt my head, unconvinced. ‘Are you sure?’

Her smile widens a little, and she nods. ‘I promise. Just a little tired. Work’s been crazy.’

Before I can press further, she steps over to join Felicity, leaving me standing there, unease twisting in my chest.

I lean against the railing, watching her crouch beside my daughter, pointing out the way one of the giraffes is curling its tongue around a branch. Felicity giggles, completely enchanted, and Mia laughs softly beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

I want to believe her, but the way she dodged the question doesn’t sit right with me. Is she overwhelmed? Maybe getting this involved in my life and Felicity’s is moving too fast for her.

Or… is it something else?

The thought of Cameron creeps in, uninvited. Ever since she told me she was meeting with him, there’s been this flicker of worry in the back of my mind. Maybe nothing happened. Maybe I’m overthinking it.

But what if I’m not?

I shake my head, forcing the thought away. Today is supposed to be about Felicity, about fun and laughter and making memories. Mia said she’s fine. I just have to trust her.

We spend the next couple of hours exploring the zoo, and Felicity’s enthusiasm is boundless. She darts from exhibit to exhibit, pointing out every animal with wide-eyed excitement. The penguins are her favorite—she watches them waddle and dive with a delighted squeal, her face pressed against the glass.

Mia stands beside her, smiling as she listens to Felicity’s nonstop commentary about how she’s going to adopt a penguin one day and name it Princess Waddles.

‘She’s got big plans,’ Mia says, glancing at me with a grin.

‘She’s ambitious,’ I reply, leaning a little closer. ‘Gets that from her dad.’

‘Oh, does she?’ Mia teases, her tone lightening a bit.

We walk side by side as Felicity moves on to the next enclosure, our hands brushing occasionally. It feels easy, even with that lingering unease in the back of my mind.

At the giraffe feeding station, we buy a handful of lettuce and let Felicity take the lead. She holds the lettuce out with both hands, squealing when one of the giraffes leans down and takes it with its long, purple tongue.

Mia snaps a photo, laughing as Felicity turns to us with wide eyes. ‘Did you see that? He’s so big!’

‘We saw,’ Mia says, crouching down to show Felicity the picture she just took.

I watch them together, something warm and steady settling in my chest. This—watching Mia laugh with my daughter, seeing the way Felicity lights up around her—is more than I ever let myself hope for.

When Felicity declares she’s hungry, we grab hot dogs and pretzels from a nearby stand and find a shady spot to sit. Mia seems to relax a little as we eat, the tension in her shoulders easing as Felicity chatters on about the penguins and the giraffes and how she’s decided she’s going to be an animal rescuer when she grows up.

‘Not a princess anymore?’ I ask, raising a brow.

‘I can be both,’ Felicity says confidently, taking a big bite of her pretzel.

Mia laughs, shaking her head. ‘She’s got it all figured out.’

By the time we head back to the car, Felicity is clutching a stuffed penguin she insisted on naming Princess Waddles, her energy finally starting to wane.

‘She’s going to pass out the second we get home,’ I say, glancing at her through the rearview mirror as she hugs the penguin tightly to her chest.

Mia smiles, her expression soft. ‘Thank you for today, Miguel. It was perfect.’

I glance at her, my chest tightening at the sincerity in her voice. ‘Thank you for coming,’ I say. ‘It wouldn’t have been the same without you.’

Her smile widens slightly, but it doesn’t erase the flicker of unease still lingering in my chest. As we drive home, I catch her gaze in the mirror a couple of times, but she’s quiet, her thoughts clearly somewhere else.

I want to ask her again if she’s okay. I want to know what’s going on behind those beautiful eyes of hers.

But for now, I let it go, focusing instead on the memory of her laughter, the way she crouched beside Felicity, the way she made today something special.

Felicity falls asleep halfway home, clutching Princess Waddles to her chest. Her little face is pressed against the car seat, her mouth slightly open as soft breaths escape. I glance at her in the rearview mirror, my heart swelling. Today was everything I hoped it would be for her—and for Mia.

When we get to my apartment, Mia offers to help me carry Felicity inside, but I shake my head. ‘I’ve got her,’ I say softly.

She smiles, nodding as she grabs Felicity’s stuffed penguin and my keys. ‘I’ll let us in.’

Inside, the apartment is quiet, the kind of stillness that settles in the early evening when the day has been long and full. Mia waits in the living room while I carry Felicity to her room. She stirs slightly as I lay her down, mumbling something about penguins before curling up under her blanket. I kiss her forehead, brushing a stray curl from her cheek.

‘Good night, princess,’ I whisper before closing her door.

When I step back into the living room, Mia is standing near the window, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. The sunset casts a warm glow through the glass, painting her skin in soft golds and pinks. But there’s a tension in her posture that immediately catches my attention.

She turns when she hears me, offering a small smile. ‘Did she crash?’

‘Out like a light,’ I say, stepping closer. ‘She had a big day.’

Mia chuckles, but the sound is strained, her shoulders stiff. ‘Yeah. It was a great day.’

Her voice is light, but it’s all over her face—something is bothering her. She tries to cover it with a joke. ‘I hope you don’t mind me invading your space again. I’m not sure how many more of these surprise visits you can take.’

I don’t answer right away. Instead, I walk straight toward her, sliding one hand around her waist, the other resting lightly behind her back. Her breath hitches as I pull her close, and I don’t give her a chance to overthink it.

I kiss her deeply, pouring everything I’ve been holding back into the moment. I feel her hesitation melt away as her body softens against mine, her arms wrapping around my shoulders.

When I pull back just slightly, my lips brushing hers, I murmur, ‘I can feel you relax against me. Like you’ve been carrying something heavy all day.’

‘Miguel—’ she starts, but I don’t let her finish.

I kiss her again, slower this time, savoring the warmth of her mouth, the way she sighs softly against me. When I finally pull back, I meet her gaze, my hands still cradling her waist.

‘I’m not messing around with you, Mia,’ I say, my voice low but firm. ‘After today, I know exactly what I want. Just you.’

Her lips part, her eyes searching mine, but I don’t stop. I don’t want there to be any doubt in her mind.

‘I’m not sending mixed signals. I’m not holding back. You and me? We’re good together,’ I say, punctuating my words with soft kisses along her jaw, her cheek, her lips. ‘I can make you feel so good. Let me show you.’

Her hands tighten around my shoulders as she pulls me closer, her breathing quickening. I feel her give in, the tension finally slipping away as she presses herself against me.

The kiss deepens, and it’s like a fire igniting between us—hot, urgent, unstoppable. I guide her toward the couch, our lips never parting, our hands exploring, pulling, holding.

We sink into the cushions, the room fading away as the moment consumes us. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I bury my face in her neck, trailing kisses along her skin, savoring every soft sound she makes.

Time seems to blur as the heat builds, each touch, each kiss pulling us closer until nothing else matters.

The quiet of the room wraps around us, broken only by Mia’s soft breathing. She’s resting against my chest, her body warm and relaxed under the blanket we pulled over us. My fingers trail lazily up and down her back, and I can’t stop the words that slip from my lips.

‘I love you.’

It comes out softly, almost like a thought spoken aloud, but I mean it with every part of me.

Mia stirs slightly, lifting her head to look at me, her eyes hazy with sleep and something deeper. ‘You love me?’ she whispers, her voice rough and low.

‘I do,’ I say without hesitation, my hand pausing on her back as I meet her gaze. ‘And I think Felicity does, too.’

Her lips part slightly, and her smile blooms slowly, her eyes glistening. She shifts, propping herself up on one arm so she can look at me more clearly.

‘I love you, too,’ she says, her voice steady despite the emotion thickening it. ‘And I’m not scared to be with you, Miguel. Not anymore.’

Hearing her say it feels like the final piece clicking into place, and I know I need to say everything I’ve been holding back.

I reach up, cupping her cheek with my hand, my thumb brushing gently along her jawline. ‘Mia,’ I begin, my voice low, ‘I know this is fast. Faster than we planned. We said we’d take things slow, that we’d be careful.’

She nods, her eyes never leaving mine.

‘I know it’s a risk,’ I continue, my other hand sliding to her waist. ‘We’re both coming out of long-term relationships. Hell, we’re each other’s rebounds. That’s what people would call this.’ I pause, letting the weight of my words hang between us.

She opens her mouth to respond, but I gently press a finger to her lips. ‘Let me finish,’ I say, smiling softly.

She closes her mouth, waiting.

‘I don’t care what people would call it. I don’t care if this is risky, if it’s messy, or if it’s not what anyone else would call smart. I’ve spent the last few years playing it safe, putting my walls up, and waiting for the right time to try again. But being with you? It feels right. It feels like something I’ve been waiting for, even if I didn’t know it.’

Her lips part again, her breath hitching, but I keep going.

‘I’m ready to fall, Mia. Even if it’s scary, even if it’s fast. Because you’re worth it. Because we’re worth it. I just need to know—are you ready to take that risk with me?’

Her hand comes up to cover mine where it rests on her cheek, her fingers curling around it as her eyes shine with unshed tears. ‘I am,’ she says, her voice trembling slightly. ‘I’m ready, Miguel. You make me feel… safe. Like I don’t have to hold back anymore. I want this. I want you.’

The relief and joy that rush through me are overwhelming, and I pull her down into a kiss that’s soft and full of promise. Her hand slides into my hair, and I deepen the kiss, savoring the way she melts against me.

‘I love the way you’re so thoughtful,’ I murmur between kisses, my lips brushing hers. ‘How you notice everything, even the small stuff.’

‘Miguel—’ she begins, but I cut her off with another kiss.

‘I love how good you are with Felicity,’ I continue, my voice rougher now. ‘You make her laugh in ways I haven’t seen in years.’

Her hand tightens in my hair as I press my forehead to hers.

‘I love how strong you are,’ I whisper. ‘How you don’t let anything—or anyone—hold you back.’

Tears spill from her eyes, and she lets out a soft laugh, brushing them away. ‘Stop. You’re going to make me cry more.’

‘Good,’ I tease, kissing the corner of her mouth. ‘I want you to know exactly how much you mean to me.’

Her laughter turns into a quiet sob as she presses her lips to mine, her kiss full of every unspoken word we don’t need to say out loud.

The moment grows heated again, our hands roaming, our bodies pressing closer. I shift us slightly, but the couch—too small to handle us in this moment—betrays us.

With a sudden lurch, we tumble off the edge, landing in a heap on the floor, tangled in the blanket.

Mia bursts into laughter, her head tipping back as she lies sprawled on top of me. ‘Oh my God,’ she says between gasps. ‘Did we just fall off your couch?’

I’m laughing too, clutching her hips to steady us. ‘That’s one way to keep things exciting.’

She shakes her head, her laughter subsiding into soft giggles as she looks down at me. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes shining with happiness, and I swear she’s never looked more beautiful.

‘Unbelievable,’ she says, leaning down to kiss me again.

‘And yet,’ I reply, brushing her hair out of her face, ‘here you are, falling for me—literally.’

She groans, but her smile never falters as she settles against me, her head resting on my chest. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as the world outside fades away.

We’re still tangled together on the floor, the blanket twisted around us as Mia rests her head on my chest. The quiet of the room is comforting, her soft breaths against my skin a rhythm I could get used to.

Just as I’m about to drift off myself, a small, shaky voice cuts through the silence.

‘Daddy?’

I freeze for a second before pressing a kiss to Mia’s temple. She stirs slightly, her body still relaxed against mine. I try to slide out from under her without waking her, but her eyes flutter open, hazy and soft in the dim light.

‘Miguel?’ she murmurs, her voice heavy with sleep.

‘Felicity,’ I whisper, brushing her hair back. ‘She’s calling me.’

Mia starts to sit up, pulling the blanket around herself. ‘I should go⁠—’

‘No,’ I say firmly but gently, cupping her cheek to stop her. ‘Stay.’

She hesitates, her gaze searching mine, but I lean in and kiss her shoulder, soft and lingering. ‘I have to go take care of dad duty, but I’ll be right back.’

Her lips curve into a small smile as she nods, settling back against the couch.

I slip out of the living room and head to Felicity’s room, her small voice calling again just as I push the door open. She’s sitting up in bed, clutching Princess Waddles tightly to her chest, her face streaked with tears.

‘Daddy,’ she says, her voice trembling. ‘I had a bad dream.’

I crouch beside her bed, wiping the tears from her cheeks. ‘What happened, princess?’

Her lower lip trembles as she squeezes her stuffed penguin. ‘We were at the zoo, and we lost Miss Mia. We couldn’t find her anywhere. And then she was gone forever.’

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. I gather her into my arms, holding her close as she buries her face in my neck.

‘Hey, hey, listen to me,’ I say softly, rocking her gently. ‘That’s never going to happen, okay? Miss Mia isn’t going anywhere.’

She pulls back slightly, her wide, tear-filled eyes searching mine. ‘You promise?’

‘I promise,’ I say, brushing her curls away from her face. ‘Miss Mia loves you, Felicity. Just like I do. You’re stuck with both of us, okay?’

A small smile breaks through her tears, and she nods, her arms wrapping around my neck.

I kiss her forehead, settling her back against her pillows and tucking the blanket around her. ‘Now, close those eyes and get some sleep, alright? Princess Waddles will keep you safe.’

She giggles softly, her grip tightening on the stuffed penguin. Within moments, her breathing evens out, and she’s fast asleep again.

I stand there for a moment, watching her, the weight of her words still lingering in my chest. She’s already so attached to Mia—already sees her as part of our lives.

And so do I.

When I walk back into the living room, the sight that greets me makes my heart stop.

Mia is curled up on the couch, fast asleep, wearing one of my shirts that’s far too big for her. The soft fabric slips off one shoulder, and her hair spills over the throw pillow beneath her head.

She looks peaceful, her face relaxed in sleep, her breaths slow and even.

I smile, crossing the room quietly. Leaning down, I scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. She stirs slightly, her head nuzzling into the crook of my neck, but she doesn’t wake.

I carry her to my bedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm light over the space. Gently, I lay her down, tucking the blanket around her. She sighs, her body instinctively curling toward me as I climb in beside her.

Sliding an arm around her waist, I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. She murmurs something unintelligible, her hand brushing against my chest as she settles against me.

‘Good night, Mia,’ I whisper, my voice barely audible.

As I close my eyes, her warmth pressed against me, I know one thing for certain: this—her, Felicity, us—is everything I’ve ever wanted.