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“I’m remembering why I was pissed,” she muttered.
“I don’t think about him. You shouldn’t either.”
“I can’t help it. Today is a lost cause. I’m going to stay aggravated, I just know it.”
Seeing the front doors open over her shoulder, I told her, “Maybe this will help,” then I met her eyes, gestured with my head, and watched her slowly turn around.
She gasped, then looked back at me and grinned. “Oh, my God,” she whispered.
“Daddy! We’re here!” Caroline yelled, running past the tables with Val behind her carrying Fiona.
The girls had been to the house a couple times now, but this was the first time they were coming to see me here.
Before I’d had to deal with that shit in Nate’s office, I’d been looking forward to this all morning, knowing Val was bringing them in today for a special treat since schools were closed. I wanted them seeing where I worked. And knowing Shayla would get to experience this with me was something else I’d been looking forward to.
I knew she’d love every second of this. Anything that made me happy, she celebrated.
Moving out of the kitchen and into the restaurant, I bent down at the bar and scooped up Caroline when she reached me. “Baby girl,” I murmured against her cheek, kissing it as I stood.
Caroline wrapped her arms tight around my neck and squeezed.
I looked down the bar.
Shayla was watching me with emotion shining her eyes.
“Hey!” Val greeted me, then she put her attention on Shayla. “Hey, girl! It’s good to see you.” Val set Fiona down so she could get to me, then walked to the end of the bar and gave Shayla a hug.
“You too,” Shayla said, still wearing that grin while she reciprocated the embrace. “Your hair looks great.”
“Oh, thanks. I have this awesome stylist. She rocks.”
“Is that right?”
They both started laughing.
I held Fiona with my other arm, her butt sitting on the inside of my elbow while she tugged at the hair on my chin.
“Daddy, can I get some mac and cheese?” she asked.
“Me too! I want mac and cheese!” Caroline said.
I looked between my girls. “You got it.”
“Yes!” Caroline pumped her fist in the air. “Oh, wait, Daddy, we have something to give you.” She wiggled so I’d set her down, then ran over to Val and started digging through the bag hanging off her shoulder.
“Here,” Val said, stopping Caroline from searching and reaching inside the bag herself. She pulled out a pink ticket and handed it to Caroline, who ran back over to me the second it was in her hand.
“Now you can come to our recital, Daddy,” Caroline said, handing me the ticket. “You’re coming, right? We’re saving you a seat!”
I smiled at her.
“It’s next Friday,” Val said. “We just got the tickets last night. The girls couldn’t wait to give you one.”
“Daddy, are you coming?” Fiona asked. She was playing with my hair now, her fingers weaving through the ends sticking out of the tie I’d secured it with.
I was already on the schedule to work Friday night, but figured I could get J.R. to switch with me. I didn’t think it would be an issue.
“I gotta work somethin’ out, but I’ll be there,” I told Fiona, kissing her smiling cheek.
Carolina started jumping up and down. “We’re dancing to The Lion King and Swan Lake! We’re gonna look like princesses, Daddy!”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Val turned to Shayla. “Do you think you could do their hair for the recital? I can manage basic ponytails and braids, but beyond that, I’m terrible. And Little Ms. Caroline is requesting something fancy.”
“Princess hair!” Caroline shrieked.
Shayla laughed. “Absolutely. I specialize in princess hair. I even have some pink we can put in, if that’s okay with everyone.” She looked from Val to me.
“Pink? I can get pink in my hair?” Caroline clapped a hand over her mouth and started squealing. Her face turned bright red.
“I want pink hair too!” Fiona cried.
“Oh, uh…” Val stammered, appearing unsure.
“It washes out right away. It’s not permanent,” Shayla explained.
Val visibly relaxed. “Okay, yeah. That sounds great. Pink hair for everyone!”
“Even Daddy!” Caroline pointed up at me and giggled.
“No, baby girl. Not me.”
“Aw, come on,” Shayla teased.
Holding her eyes, I shook my head. She bit her lip and smiled.
“All right, why don’t we get a seat?” Val suggested. “Daddy can’t cook your mac and cheese if he doesn’t get in the kitchen.”
“I’ll grab some menus. Sit wherever you want,” Shayla offered, stepping away.
I watched her walk toward the front, then I followed behind Caroline, who ran ahead. She picked a booth by the window.
“I’m so glad you’re coming to the recital. The girls will be so happy,” Val said, walking over with me.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
She smiled and touched my arm.
“Princess drinks, right?” Shayla asked, sliding menus on the table as Val took a seat on the vacant end.
