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“Do you buy that Miles? Because I don’t. In fact, I’m calling bullshit.” Liam folded his arms, brows arched in a challenge he knew I couldn’t deny. Wouldn’t deny.
Miles shook his head. “Yeah, I’m not buying it either. Matter of fact, who’s with Mariana today?” His smile was downright devious and I should have known that Shannon would know, which meant Miles would too.
I shrugged it off like it was no big deal and headed towards the door. “Brenna took her shopping for things to make her feel more at home. Her bedroom still looks like the guestroom.”
“And that’s not something she should be doing with her dad?” Liam stroked his chin comically. “Interesting.”
“She likes Brenna and I figured a woman’s input was more necessary than my desire to make her feel welcome in our home.” They didn’t need to know that it was all Mariana’s idea. “Anyway, I have to get going. I need to pick up a few things at the store before I head home and I don’t want Brenna to think I’ve left her to babysit all day and night.”
Liam’s voice was loud and booming, echoing through the cavernous hall of the STA building since he followed me towards the door. “And there she is again, Brenna.”
“Yeah, that’s her name.” I glanced down at my watch and back up at my friends. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Good luck,” Miles called after me.
“Tell Brenna we said hello,” Liam said, laughter in his voice.
I flipped them both off and walked a little faster until I was out in the warm, clear day, the last hints of sunshine warming my skin. I made a quick stop at the market for groceries and hurried home, where I was met with the sound of feminine laughter and country music while I unloaded the bags. “Hey girls, I’m home!”
I was met with silence and then another round of giggles, so I decided to give them a few minutes while I got dinner started, seasoning strips of steak, onions and bell peppers. Then I made my way upstairs, heart thumping in my chest at the thought of seeing Brenna again, and seeing Mariana’s new bedroom. I knocked and both women turned at the same time, wide-eyed expressions on their faces. “Hi Dad! Did you see my room? Do you like it?” It was good to see her so damn excited about staying here with me, for a change.
I scanned the room, noting the shades of blue, with some black and silver that stood in contrast to the pink and purple monstrosity I’d been expecting. They’d done a good job of making the space hers, with throw pillows, tiara accents and a few stuffed animals for good measure. “It’s nice,” I told her honestly. “Very royal. Are those…dinosaurs?”
Mariana nodded enthusiastically. “And unicorns because they are my favorite animals.”
“Really? Dinosaurs and unicorns?” She nodded again. “Guess that means you won’t be bugging me for a pet anytime soon.”
Brenna let out a sharp laugh, her blue eyes glittering with amusement.
“Lizards and Komodo dragons are basically dinosaurs, and horses and unicorns are like brothers,” she offered with a teasing grin.
Thank goodness for Brenna because I had no comeback for that. “The desk and the chest of drawers will be here in two days.”
“Great. Thanks, Brenna. I really appreciate this. Did you ladies have fun today?”
“Oh my god, Dad, we had so much fun!” Mariana bounced up and down like she did a few nights ago when I let her eat chocolate ice cream at nine o’clock at night. “We went to like, five different stores, we had truffles and they were so good, and we talked about Mama. That’s all right, isn’t it?”
“It’s more than all right. You can tell me about her anytime you want. You know, she had on a tiara the night I met her. I asked if she was a princess and she laughed, said she was a Queen.”
Mariana giggled. “Mama said Queens hold the real power.”
Brenna laughed. “Your mama was one smart cookie.”
“Yep,” she said proudly, staring at Brenna as if she was some kind of superhero.
“We’re having steak fajitas for dinner. Who’s hungry?”
“Me! I haven’t eaten in hours,” Mariana said dramatically.
Brenna tossed her head back and laughed. “We had that street corn right before we left the mall. You’ve got a hollow leg, girl, I swear.” She shook her head, blue eyes shining with affection for my kid and that made me want her even more. “I’ll let you two get ready for dinner. I should probably head home.”
“You’re not staying?” Mariana looked outraged and a little hurt. “You have to say, Brenna. You have to. Dad makes the best steak fajitas with his special sauce. You’ll love it, I promise.”
Brenna wasn’t sold but anything I said would be met with skepticism and it seemed as if even Mariana knew it because she blinked those thick, inky eyelashes at Brenna and the woman practically melted. “If they’re not as good as promised, you owe me real steak fajitas.” I wasn’t sure which of us she was talking to but when she marched out of the bedroom, I was on her heels.
