a guy named hal

My crops weren't bringing in as much money as I'd hoped, and with Addie's birthday approaching, I needed to get crafty.

I spent the day at the Community Garden, harvesting everything I could. By the time I was done, it was getting late, well past the time I should have had Addie home in bed. As we walked home, I heard music and laughter coming from one of the houses. Sounded like a party in full swing. I looked at Addie and hesitated, but I was desperate for some adult interaction, and not a single sim had stopped by the garden all day.

On second glance, I realized this was Hal Breckenridge's house. I'd heard he was newly single, and worked in Law Enforcement. A baby daddy with a career had to be a step up, right?

I knocked on his door just as his friends were leaving, and turned to go, but he stopped me.

"Hey, you're the new girl in town, right? Lila?"

I smiled. "It's Lola. But yes, I'm the new girl."

He held out a hand, which I shook. "Hal Breckenridge, one of Riverview's Finest." He grinned at his little joke and invited me in.

We got to know each other a little better, and quickly moved into flirting territory. He was cute, and that lopsided grin... oh my. I started to wonder if he'd consent to wearing his uniform for me, when he stood and stretched, not trying to hide his yawn.

I checked the clock and blushed. I'd had no idea it was so late.

"It's been fun, Lola, but I have to work in the morning, and um, I'm cool with single moms and all, but don't you need to put her to bed or something?"

I bit back a sigh. I may be young, but I was smart enough to know this was it.

Or so I thought.

The next afternoon, the doorbell rang right as I'd put Addie down for her nap.

I cursed the lack of a peephole and opened the front door, expecting to find Cullen. It was Hal!

My heart leapt and inwardly I cringed. I could not fall for him. Or anyone else, for that matter. I squashed the butterflies and invited him inside.

"I was just making a salad. Have you eaten lunch? There's more than enough for both of us."

He smiled, and for the second time it made me weak kneed. "I'd like that."

"Great." I headed back to the kitchen, then called out to him over my shoulder. "Should be just a few more minutes. Feel free to look around."

I finished the salad and set the table, then went to find Hal. He was rocking Addie, singing her a lullaby. And she was enthralled, her big blue eyes fixated on him. The words were wrong--it was the same one I remember Nanna singing me--but I think I was a goner right there. Half of me wondered if maybe he was a goner, too.

He noticed me then, and set her gently back in her crib. "Ah, I heard her fussing, so I..." He shrugged, obviously uncomfortable. "My mom used to sing me that, or some variation of it."

I forced a smile. "It's fine, really. Salad's ready though, so come on."

Truth was, I didn't know what to feel. No, that was wrong. I couldn't afford to let myself feel anything. But I was torn between thinking this one was a keeper, and not knowing what to think about a guy I barely knew being comfortable enough to rock my daughter back to sleep, especially when her own sperm donor couldn't even be bothered to call and ask how she was doing.

I could barely contain my nerves as we ate, and I think he knew, but he was gracious and charming and carried the conversation, telling me about himself and asking questions that got me talking, feeling at ease.

Our eyes met across the table, and the thought came to me. I could forget the contract. I could walk away--that much had been promised to me. It wouldn't be easy, but I'd put Addie in daycare and get a job, maybe go to night school for journalism. And fall in love with Hal, and live a regular life.

But no. I couldn't. I stood and started clearing the plates. I could not, would not, allow myself to develop feelings for this man based on mutual attraction and chemistry and the fact that he'd been so at ease with my daughter when her own father was not and didn't care to try. I had a job to do. I had promised my great uncle. I wasn't looking for a father for my daughter. I was looking for baby daddies. And lots of them. I had to get my head on straight, because after this one, I had approximately 98 to go. And as the rules went, I could stay young, but I could not make ambrosia for anyone else. Even if he was okay with my plan and all it entailed, I'd have to watch him--or anyone else--grow old before my eyes, maybe pass away. The rules were there for my own protection. I couldn't risk loving any man. Especially not Hal.

After I'd cleaned up in the kitchen, I found him in the yard, on the phone. He hung up, and turned around. I couldn't read his eyes.

"Thanks for lunch, but I have to go," he said, sounding more apologetic than I felt. "That was the station. They've just brought in a suspect I've been chasing for months."

I nodded and forced a smile. "It's okay, it's your job. I understand."

"I'll call you tomorrow. Maybe we could catch a movie?"

"I'd like that." the words came before I could stop them, and this time the smile was genuine. Boy, was I in trouble with this one. The space would do me good. Clearly, getting to know a guy before I used him also had its disadvantages. I wasn't cut out for this. Maybe I needed to stick with wham, bam, thank you ma'amsir.

* * *

The next day was Addie's birthday. On a whim, I decided to throw her a party, and invited the few people I'd met thus far. I wanted Cullen to see his daughter, hoping he'd realize he wanted to be a part of her life, even if it made things more complicated. Or maybe you just want him to see you with Hal. No, that wasn't entirely true. I just wanted to see Hal.

Dusk was falling by the time everyone arrived. Cullen was, as expected, a no show, and I tried to hide my disappointment. Hal, of course, astute as ever, picked up on it, and I found myself telling him how surprised I'd been to feel hurt. He wasn't rejecting me. He was rejecting his own flesh and blood.

We celebrated Addie as the sun dipped behind the trees, and she aged into a gorgeous toddler. For the first time since I'd arrived in Riverview, I felt like I had real friends.

Hal stayed and helped me clean up after the party, taking out the trash and putting the leftover cake in the fridge while I bathed Addie and got her into her pj's. I could get used to this... But I wouldn't. Hal was a good friend, and after tonight, I knew this was how it should be. If I let things go further, it would just get messy, and neither of us needed that. I wanted Addie to have a positive male role model in her life. She needed someone.

Hal saw how exhausted I was and said goodbye. As I climbed into bed, I was relieved. So why did my heart ache?