Page 54 of Pucking Daddy

He catches her easily, lifting her like it’s second nature.

“Hey, bug,” he murmurs.

His eyes meet mine over her shoulder.

Questioning. Waiting.

And this time I don’t look away.

Because I already know what I’m going to say.

10

JAXON

Boundaries

Coming home to Lily and Zara already there feels… nice.

Lily runs straight to me, throwing her arms around my waist. God, I love this kid.

But am I imagining it, or is there something in Zara’s gaze that goes beyond polite acknowledgment?

During dinner, Lily chatters nonstop, bouncing between stories about school, her reading sticker, and an extremely detailed explanation of a dragon hierarchy I’m apparently expected to fully understand.

I nod at the right moments. Ask questions. Play along.

And the whole time, I’m acutely aware of Zara across the table, listening to Lily like nothing else exists. Her smile is easy. Genuine.

This—this is something we’ve never really had before.

A family dinner.

“You’re not listening,” Lily accuses, narrowing her eyes at me.

I blink. “I am.”

“What did I just say?”

I open my mouth. Pause.

Zara hides a smile behind her glass. Traitor.

“Something about dragons?” I try.

Lily gasps. “That was ten minutes ago!”

“I stand corrected,” I say solemnly.

Zara laughs softly, and something in my chest shifts.

“Zara gets it,” Lily continues, turning to her. “Right?”

“I absolutely do,” Zara says, nodding seriously. “The fire dragon outranks the ice dragon—unless it’s a full moon.”

Lily beams. “See? She listens.”

“I feel attacked,” I mutter.