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“I’m getting bored, Daddy. When are we going home?” she asks, putting her pencil down and pouting.
I glance at the clock behind the bar. “I’m hoping soon.”
Bringing Lily to the bar with me isn’t something I’m keen on, but I didn’t have a choice. Her babysitter broke a leg, so she’s out for a while, and when I called Sloane, she told me her water broke and was on her way to the hospital. I’ve never heard Maverick so nervous, but I promised them everything would be okay and to call me if they needed me. I remember how nervous I was when Tina was in labor. How useless I felt. As a father, you can do nothing but be there for your partner and fetch them wet washcloths or give back rubs. But once the baby is born, there’s plenty a dad can do. I smile fondly as I think about the day Lily came into the world.
“Is soon now?” Lily asks.
I shake my head. “No. Do you want a sandwich while you wait, Pumpkin?”
“Yes, please.”
My phone pings with a message. It’s my next-door neighbor to let me know she’ll be home in two hours and doesn’t mind watching Lily until I get off work. Relief floods through me. At least Lily won’t have to be here too long. Having her with me when the bar is still closed is one thing, but keeping an eye on her when it’s crammed full of people, some of whom are drunk, is not a good idea.
I go to the kitchen to grab a sandwich for Lily and put it on the counter in front of her. “One peanut butter and jelly sandwich for my favorite customer,” I say, knowing it’ll earn me a giggle.
She takes a bite before fixing me with those big, curious eyes. “Has Aunt Sloane had the baby yet?”
“Not yet, sweetheart. Babies aren’t born that fast. It’s exciting, though, isn’t it? You’ll have a cousin soon.”
“I’ll ask the baby to play with me tomorrow then. We can do Play-Doh together.”
I suppress a chuckle. “That sounds great, but remember, babies need some time to grow first. When they’re born, they’re very tiny and can’t do much except eat and sleep.”
“Why can’t they play?” she asks with a concerned frown.
“Because babies first need to learn a lot of things, like walking and talking. They also like to put everything in their mouths, even Play-Doh.”
My daughter pulls a face. “Babies eat Play-Doh? Ew.”
I laugh, ruffling her long hair affectionately. “They do. And you should finish your sandwich, Pumpkin.”
She smiles at me and takes another bite. Spending time with her is lovely, even though the location isn’t ideal.
The door swings open as Lily munches on her sandwich and I continue drying glasses.
“We’re closed,” I call out, not bothering to look up.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Should I come back?”
The voice hits me right in the feels, causing a flutter of butterflies to stir in my chest. June. Even though it’s been a week since I met her, I’d recognize her voice anywhere.
“No, come on through,” I say, waving her over.
June throws me an awkward look.
I motion for her to sit down. “Lily, this is Miss Parker. She might become your teacher when you start kindergarten.”
Lily looks at June with curiosity and shyness but doesn’t say anything.
“Hi there, Lily. I’m Miss Parker, but you can call me June. It’s so nice to meet you. Your dad has told me a lot about you.”
“Hello,” Lily says, her voice barely a whisper.
June picks up the mermaid drawing Lily was coloring in. “Wow, this is some nice work. Did you color this?”
“Yes. I love mermaids,” Lily says, her shy demeanor shifting to enthusiasm.
“No way. Me too!”
