“Of course not,” I said, surprised by her question. “My mom is cool. She’s going to love you and the girls. But she’s also going to hog your attention, and I don’t want to share yet.”
Nova gave me a soft grin. “Chris’s mom thought I was lazy.”
“She was right to hate you,” I murmured in her ear. “He wouldn’t be dead now if he hadn’t married you.”
Nova frowned. “Should I feel guilty?”
“Of course not. He also wouldn’t be dead if he wasn’t a dickhead,” I pointed out and smiled at the girls. “But he helped you make great kids, so I’ll be sure to drop flowers on his watery grave if I’m ever in Baton Rouge.”
Nova’s expression kept shifting. She was thinking about Chris and my mom. I also caught her glancing at my bed. I’d made it today, but the blankets were normally a mess, especially after we’d spent time together.
“Boone,” Skylar said and took my hand. “Can we swim now?”
“Sure. I’ll change up here. You three girls can change in the other room.”
Skylar looked down the stairs and shook her head. “I’m going to fall.”
I picked her up and then looked at Lyric. She considered whether she wanted to be carried like a baby. Deciding the stairs were scary, she lifted her arms. I brought them downstairs to the bedroom.
A few minutes later, they appeared in their one-piece suits. Each one had the little skirt that shy girls wore. Skylar and Lyric had matching blue and pink mermaid-style suits. Nova wore a simple black suit with a little skirt.
As they put on their sandals, I got their swim toys blown up. I felt a smile on my face at how easily I’d taken to the dad role. The girls already felt like mine. I could imagine going to their school functions and playing Santa.
I carried the pool toys with one arm and held Skylar’s hand with my other. She decided Lyric’s job was to push the elevator’s up and down buttons, but it was her job to push the number buttons inside.
“I know my numbers,” Skylar stated.
Lyric frowned. “I know them, too.”
“I’m older.”
“I’m smarter.”
Skylar shook her head and muttered, “No.”
I chuckled while Nova acted like maybe she should get involved. Before Mama Bear had to separate the girls, I explained the building’s setup.
“There’s a route to the pool that doesn’t take us outside. That’s good for the colder months. But I wanted to show you the courtyard before we got wet.”
Exiting the building into the courtyard, we found Rock and Rowdy sitting across from each other. Their dogs were asleep in the grass, enjoying the sunny day. The girls hurried over to admire the two Chihuahuas.
“Look at you playing the family man,” Rowdy said and put out his cigarette.
“I plan to keep Nova,” I replied and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “That means the girls will be around more. Maybe we can install a small play set.”
Rock instantly grunted, “No,” while Rowdy simultaneously said, “Sure.”
As they frowned at each other, I smiled at Nova. “We could put a small one right here in this grassy area.”
“This isn’t a place for children,” Rock grumbled at me. “The complex is full of men.”
“Ivy lives here.”
“One fox doesn’t change how this isn’t a place for kids.”
“Naw, dog, you suck,” Rowdy told Rock. “Those little girls are super badass foxes. Look at them.”
Skylar and Lyric turned their attentions to Rowdy.
