I watched as she kissed his cheek gently. His eyelids fluttered closed, a tiny smile on his face.
“I have to go to work,” Cole mumbled before he looked longingly at Rosalie.
I hated the guy, but I had to admit that he did have it bad for her.
“Can I go, Daddy?” Ellis asked, clinging to his hand.
“Oh, Ellie-gator, I wish I could take you,” he said, bending to her level. “I can’t, though. Maybe Daddy Anson and Ryder can go out today and get us some fun stuff to do when I get home tonight. We could get some coloring books for you…”
“Oh! We could get you ballet slippers! We can dance together!”
I smirked at Cole, who blinked rapidly. We guys all had slippers. It was mandatory if you were Ellis’s dad.
“Uh, sure. I could get some of those. Daddy Anson probably knows all about ballet slippers and can get me some. How does that sound?”
She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tightly and whispered something to her that we couldn’t hear, but we didn’t need to because she answered back.
“I love you too,” she said as he released her.
He stood and looked at me. “Size thirteen. I like pink.”
I smirked at him. “Then pink it shall be.”
He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment before looking at Rosalie.
“I’ll be gone until about eight tonight.” He slowly approached her. She’d settled back onto my lap moments ago. She stared up at him for a moment before he leaned down and hugged her.
“I’ll miss you,” he murmured. “Don’t forget about me, Rosebud.”
“I won’t,” she answered softly.
“And please don’t fucking pack up and leave while I’m gone,” he continued, his voice strained. “That would kill me.”
“I’ll be here.”
He breathed out and locked eyes with me.
“Get me a new pillow.”
I chuckled. “Sure, man. I’ll get you a new pillow... if you give me a hug too.”
His gaze hardened as I raised my brows at him.
I honestly didn’t think he’d do it, but he released Rosalie and wrapped his arms around me tightly.
I hugged him back, noting the stunned silence in the room.
“I’m going to kill you in your sleep,” he whispered in my ear.
“Not if I get you first,” I answered before releasing him.
His lips cut up into the smallest of smiles before he backed away. “See you guys,” he said, going to the door.
“Bye, Daddy! Have a good day at work! You’re my hero!” Ellis shouted as Cole pulled the door open.
He paused for a moment before he looked over his shoulder at her.
“Thanks, Ellie-phant. I needed to hear that.”
