“An art museum?” I asked. Sounded boring.
“Just wait.” He kissed the top of my head and guided me down the dark corridor. It was kind of creepy not knowing where we were going, but a small light at the end was our destination.
We walked through a heavy curtain and stepped into a tall wave of water. I gasped and grabbed Patrick’s arm. He chuckled, resting an arm on my shoulder. It wasn’t a real wave, but a virtual one that crashed above our heads and below our feet. When an image of a whale appeared in the surf, a fit of giggles escaped me. It was visually stunning. We made our way through that room, into other rooms of moving art and virtual animals coming to life and jumping all around me. It was an immersive experience projected all around us. It was disorienting and exhilarating all at the same time. We wander through the rooms, sitting and enjoying the colors and sounds. At one point, Patrick leaned over and whispered, “Close your mouth, little one. You’re going to let the flies in.”
Each room was different and overwhelming in the best way, and Patrick never left my side.
We entered the last room, where chairs and benches stood in the corners. Music played, and black and white images of Las Vegas projected and moved along the walls. Patrick guided me to one of the chairs, sat, and pulled me onto his lap. A soothing voice came on and, underscored by music, talked about the history of Las Vegas. The room was mostly empty. I turned my head toward Patrick. I found his gaze still on me.
“You are missing the view,” I said..
“No, my eyes are exactly where they want to be.” He nuzzled the side of my face with his nose. “You’re so beautiful, Kylie.”
“So are you, Daddy.” The stubble on his cheek was too inviting; my fingertips ran across his jawline. “Handsome, I mean.” I leaned in and kissed him nibbling on his bottom lip. He growled. I snaked my tongue out like he had earlier and tasted him, then pressed my tongue into his mouth for more. I couldn’t get enough of him. He let me explore for a minute, but then he took over sliding his hand into my hair and palmed my scalp while deepening the kiss. He consumed me in this placeas, on the screen, casino chips danced around us. This over-the-top, Vegas-inspired fairytale was a dream come true, and I was relishing it. Loved being with him. He took care of me and my little. The longer our day went, the less I cared about what others thought of me, and the less afraid I became to let my little side out to enjoy. When he finished the kiss, he cradled my hands against his shoulders and held me. I looked at the screen. A group of friends, all dressed in tuxedos and the girls in sequence dresses, gambled at a craps table. “Have Rayna and Tinley been here?”
“No.”
“I bet it could be rented out for them.” I played with the collar of his shirt. “I think they would love it. Rayna for sure; maybe Tinley would be a little scared, but she just needs to get in the door and see everything is fine, and she’d be okay. She would love the forest. It’s not too dark.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Maybe I could bring them here as a way to say I’m sorry.” I blinked, but a tear fell anyway. Patrick wiped it away.
“Oh, little Kylie.” He leaned his forehead against mine. “I think that’s an amazing idea.” He kissed both my cheeks and my lips. “Come on.” He set me on my feet and stood up.
“Shopping?”
“Yep.” We made our way towards the exit and out into the Las Vegas sun. We had a quick ride to a hotel a few doors down from the museum and pulled into the rounded driveway. A parking attendant opened my door.
“Hi, Patrick.” Another guy approached in a black suit with the hotel’s logo on his chest and a name tag that read James Harris, Head of Security. “Welcome to the Florentine.”
“Hey, James.” Patrick shook hands with the tall, black man. “This is Kylie Stands.”
“Hi, Kylie.” He smiled and waved. “Just leave the car here.” He nodded to his parking attendant.
“We’ll only be about a half-hour.”
“Take your time.” They shook again.
Patrick grabbed my hand, and we stepped inside. The place wasn’t as luxurious as the Quad, but it was still nice, with the familiar chime of slot machines and a low murmur of voices. We rushed across the patterned carpet of the casino floor and into the shops area. Down a short hallway was an innocuous door. Patrick seemed to know where he was going. “Here we are.”
Patrick pressed the doorbell. The door opened a few seconds later. A man taller than my already-tall daddy stood in front of us. His body took up the whole doorframe.
“Patrick.” His voice was deep, and his skin a tanned olive color. He wore a sweatshirt and jeans. He and Patrick shook hands, and he stepped out of the way. “This must be Kylie.”
He held his hand out. I looked at Patrick. He nodded and grinned. I wasn’t seeking permission, only some assurance that this man would not crush my little hand. He was surprisingly gentle.
“Welcome to Little Blooms.” He presented the store as if he were a model at a car show. “If there’s something not in your size, ask; and if you can’t find something you want, we can make it.” He walked toward the back of the store.
I was able to take in the full scope of the room and froze. Clothing displays and racks covered the room, and they were all little-inspired and little-approved. I clapped my hands once, a sharp sound of delight, and then took off.
I was in little girl heaven.
CHAPTER 29
PATRICK
Isat in the little shop near a bank of mirrors, waiting for Kylie to try on her fifth outfit. I loved watching her twirl in dresses and jump around in cute rompers, her arms flailing and her gasping at herself when she caught her reflection in the mirror. The whole time I wondered how I had gone this long without this in my life. The joy she showed, the appreciation she exhibited for the smallest things. The laugh she couldn’t stop herself from emitting when she made fun of herself or, her favorite new pastime, making fun of me.
