Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
I sigh. “No, I don’t. It’s just another one of those fears I’ve had since becoming a father. You know, some days I wish for it? I know that’s horrible and bad to say, but I want a break. Then the thought of Maggie wanting her permanently makes me want to hold on tighter. Shit.” I rub my chest. “It makes my heart sore.”
“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. What if Maggie took Kaylee for a couple of days? It’ll give you the break you need.”
“What if a few days turns into more and everyone realizes Kaylee’s better off without me?”
“That won’t happen. I don’t know what I need to say to make you feel better about this, but you’re a great dad, and Kaylee belongs with you. I think you’re scared because you’ve been doing this on your own for so long you don’t know what you’d do without her. But I promise you, you won’t ever have to find out. I’ve spent a total of maybe twenty minutes with Maggie, and while she’s suspicious about who I am to you, she seems like a decent person. She already told me she thinks you’re a great dad. She does miss Kaylee, though. Maybe you could see her visit as a positive thing instead of stress-inducing.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“I know it is. And it’ll be hard for you to let go. But I think you should do it.”
I look up at the sky. “What would I even do with a few days off?”
Lyric smiles, and nope. Nope, nope, nope. The image that pops into my head as I look at his charming face is not what I should even be thinking about doing on my days off.
Then he leans in and says something I haven’t had the privilege of contemplating since Kaylee was born. “You can do anything you want.”
Whenever Maggie’s home, she either stays with me or I put her up in an Airbnb close by, but she planned ahead this time and got herself a hotel room despite my protests.
“Kind of defeats the purpose of having a break if they’re both here with you,” Lyric mutters to me when I say it for maybe the hundredth time.
“I know, but …” I try to tuck my controlling side back in, but Maggie can’t afford something nice, and now I’m making excuses to keep them with me.
“Are you sure about this?” Maggie asks, sensing my hesitation.
“One hundred percent,” I lie. “Unless you’re not. You don’t have to—”
“I appreciate it. Honestly.” Maggie smiles warmly at me. “Maybe tomorrow when we get back, we can talk?” She turns to Lyric. “Are you able to watch Kaylee tomorrow?”
Lyric nods. “That’s generally in the job description.”
She laughs. “I’m going to go check on Kaylee to make sure she’s packing more than her stuffed animals.” As she steps past me, she pauses and speaks softly. “I like him.”
I agree with her but can’t voice it. I’m more focused on why she wants to talk.
Maybe I shouldn’t let Kaylee go.
As if reading my mind, Lyric steps forward and cocks his head at me. “This is a good thing.”
I rub the back of my neck. “I know.”
“Do you?”
“Shut up,” I mutter.
Maggie reappears with Kaylee. “Okay, we’re ready.”
I’m not, but I try not to show it.
I get to my knees and hold my arms out for Kaylee. “You have fun with Mommy, okay?”
She pouts. “You not coming, Daddy?”
Aww, sweet child. Yes, I will come with you!
“Not tonight, honey,” Lyric says for me.
She looks up at him. “You’re not coming either?”
Lyric shakes his head. “Nope. You get to have special time with your mom, who you haven’t seen for a really long time. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“Yeah, but then you don’t get to have fun with us!”
Maggie smirks. “I think Daddy and Lyric will have their own fun.”
Maybe that’s what we have to talk about. Clearly, she thinks something is going on between us.
Kaylee’s green eyes meet mine. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
Lyric chuckles. “I’ll make sure he’s okay. Is that all right with you?”
“You’re on Daddy duty tonight.” She’s so serious about it, and it’s adorable.
Lyric mock salutes her. “I’ll babysit him for you.”
“Good work.”
We watch them leave, and as soon as the front door closes, Lyric clasps my shoulder. “Enjoy having the afternoon and evening to yourself.”
I realize he’s leaving and say the only thing I can think of in the moment. “You’re not going to babysit me? You promised my daughter.”
“Yes, and verbal contracts between adults and children are legally binding,” he says dryly. “It’s not like we pinkie promised, Ryder. Geez.”
Lyric might have a point.
“But …”
“But what?”
“What the hell am I supposed to do with myself?”
He leans against the kitchen counter. “What do you want to do? You have the opportunity to do anything and go anywhere. Well, within reason. Flying to Paris for an hour or two wouldn’t really be worth it.”