A pizza party 'plus one'

When Cherise Campbell hosts her daughter's birthday, handsome single dad Jordan steps in to help...and love is on the menu

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Cherise Campbell was celebrating her daughter Macie’s 14th birthday.

They turned onto Iris Lane, which was shaded by trees with leaves in brilliant fall colors. Moments later, Cherise pulled into their driveway.

Macie grabbed her school backpack and helped her mom carry in a couple of bags of groceries and a big white box filled with Strawberry Velvet birthday cake. It was 5 PM on Friday afternoon, and Macie had invited six of her girlfriends over at 7 PM for her pizza-and-popcorn birthday party. They planned to stream the latest teen rom-com.

Divorced since her daughter was eight, Cherise felt grateful for the close relationship she and Macie had. They prepared the refreshments and got their home ready for company.

Macie noticed her Mom’s new blue-and-white floral blouse, her slim-fit jeans and long honey-brown hair styled in loose waves.

“You look pretty, Mom!”

“Thanks, dear,” Cherise said. “You do too.”

At 7:00 the doorbell rang. Macie opened the door, and her best friend, Chloe, cheerfully said, “Happy Birthday, Macie!”

Other friends arrived shortly after. Their chatter filled the air as they exchanged greetings and hugs.

Then Cherise heard a jingle on her cellphone and answered the call. Macie watched as her mom ended the call with a frown on her face.

“What's wrong, Mom?”