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Without a word, he bends down and scoops her up in his arms. She lays her head on his shoulder and snuggles into him, completely trusting. He laces his fingers through mine, and we head toward the exit. Once we reach his truck, he releases my hand and opens the back door to put her in her seat.
“You have fun today, princess?” he asks her.
“Yeah,” she says softly. She’ll be asleep before we’re out of the lot. “East,” she calls out for him as he pulls his head out of the truck. Immediately he leans back in.
“What’s up?” he asks her.
“I love you,” she says, causing my heart to skip a beat.
“Always speak from the heart.” His whispered words are husky. It’s obvious her words have affected him as well.
“What’s that?” her tired voice asks.
“My mom…” He stops. I can imagine him swallowing back his emotions. “My mom used to tell me that all the time when I was little. When you speak from your heart, your true feelings show. She used to tell me you should always be honest with yourself and follow your heart,” he tells her.
“Do you—What did you say?” she asks him.
“Speak from your heart.”
“Do you speak from your heart?” she asks him.
“I do. Always. I always try to stay true to myself. I don’t let what others think convince me to change my mind. I let my heart guide me.”
“That’s why I love you,” she tells him. “And you play with me,” she adds, sounding more like the four- going on five-year-old that she is.
There’s silence, and then he speaks. His voice is low, so I have to strain to hear him. “I love you too, princess.”
I suck in a breath, my heart stilling in my chest. East pulls his head out of the truck and closes the door. His hands land on my hips, and he guides me until my back hits the bed of the truck, out of Paisley’s sight. His lips crash to mine. My hands find their way to his hair as I kiss him back with all that I have. There are a million different emotions rushing through me, and I can’t decipher which one is more prominent—Worry, fear, gratitude, and, dare I say, love. It’s too soon, but damn if my heart doesn’t seem to care.
Easton slows the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. “You slay me, both of you. I hope that was okay. I just… she’s easy to love.”
My heart kick-starts, swelling in my chest. “We should go,” I say, because what do I say to that? Tell him that I think if I let myself, I could fall in love with him too? Tell him that if I really sit down and think about it, that I’m already headed down that path? I’m too raw to expose those details just yet. It’s too soon. I’m not as open and brave as my daughter. One thing is for sure, if this ends, there are three hearts that will be broken. Of that I’m certain.After our day at the zoo, I flew out the next day for a three-game stretch on the road. We won two of the three. Last night’s game was a late one, but this morning’s flight is bright and early. Normally I would bitch about the time, but the sooner this plane lifts off, the sooner I can get back to my girls. That’s how I think of them now, as my girls. How can I not? They’re both becoming necessary, important people in my life.
As soon as we’re off the plane, I fire off a text to Larissa.Me: We just landed. I’m missing my girls.
Larissa: Mom is keeping P tonight. I have the early shift at the restaurant tomorrow and the daycare is closed, so Mom took a vacation day.
Me: I could have watched her.
Larissa: I couldn’t ask you to do that.
Me: Next time check with me. A day with Princess Paisley sounds like a good time to me.
Larissa: LOL. You say that now.
Me: So what time are you taking her to your mom’s?
Larissa: After her game.
Me: She has a game tonight?
Larissa: Yes.
Larissa: You’re welcome to come.I read her message and know that inviting me was hard for her. She’s cautious when it comes to all things Paisley.Me: I’ll be home in an hour. I’ll send you my address. Come on over. We’ll swim and grill out before her game.
Larissa: You’re sure?
Me: Absolutely.It will be the first time that either of them have been there. I hold my breath, waiting for her reply, wanting them in my space more than I realized.Larissa: Okay. Let me get her ball stuff together and a change of clothes.
Me: See you soon, baby.I’m barely on the road headed home when my phone rings. “Hey, Dad,” I answer after seeing his name come across the dash.
