“I’m sorry,” Jameson said immediately. “I didn’t think it would get out this soon.”
“It’s not your fault.” She covered his hand, meaning it. “This was… inevitable.”
And even though it was inevitable, Daisy couldn’t help but already miss the small bubble they had been living in for the last few weeks.
They pulled around to the back entrance. Barry turned in his seat. “We’ll extract Amelia and bring her to the car.”
“Like hell I’m not going in there,” Daisy said, already pushing past him. “Move.”
They were crazy if they thought she would let some strange men “extract” her daughter from her school. They must not have any children because if they did, they would know better than to try to tame a mama bear when her cub was in distress.
She ignored their protests and sprinted down the hall to the principal’s office. Amelia sat in a too-big chair, swinging her feet, blue lollipop staining her mouth.
“Hey, Mom!” Amelia launched herself into Daisy’s arms.
“You okay, sweet stuff?”
“Yeah! It was crazy. All these people were taking my picture and asking if Jameson was my dad. I didn’t say anything, I swear.”
Daisy cringed.
They had spoken to her and violated her privacy. The thought made her sick.
“What happened?” She addressed the two women standing over them.
Principal MacArthur soured her face and gave off an irritated attitude as she began to speak, “The class was at recess. Photographers started shouting questions from beyond the fence.”
“We brought the kids in immediately,” Amelia’s teacher added. “No one breached the gate. But they were loud.”
Daisy placed her hand atop Amelia’s head and sighed.
With pinched irritation, Principal MacArthur spoke again, “Miss Daniels, while we assume you had no part in this, the factthat photographers line the street as we speak is very distracting for the rest of the students, and frankly, it’s not fair to the children who value their education—”
“Children like my daughter,” Daisy said evenly.
She ignored her and continued, “Parents are already calling in with complaints. I don’t think…” Her words died on her tongue as her eyes flicked past Daisy and widened. “Oh my—”
Jameson stepped into the office with Barry shadowing him. He went straight to Amelia.
“Hey, baby girl. You okay?”
She nodded, all teeth and blue tongue. “I got a lollipop.”
“That’s my girl,” he said, kissing her forehead.
“Mr. Kingston,” Principal MacArthur gushed, practically elbowing Amelia aside to shake his hand. “We had no idea one of our students had a parent with such—such prestige.”
Jameson’s charm slid on like an old jacket. “Yes, her mother is remarkably talented. Some of the best art I’ve seen.” He smiled pleasantly. The principal’s giggle deflated.
“Perhaps we should focus on a plan,” the teacher suggested gently.
“Yes,” the principal said quickly. “We can’t have those paparazzi harassing our sweet Amelia or her father.”
Daisy didn’t bother hiding her eye roll this time.
“Barry?” Jameson asked.
“I recommend Amelia stay home the rest of the week,” Barry said. “We’ll work with the school on preventative measures. Once Mr. Kingston makes a statement, interest should drop.”
