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“Sorry,” he mutters to me with a tint of red on his cheeks. I wave my hand as if it’s no big deal and laugh.
“She may be my new best friend. I love her spunk.”
Madden chuckles lightly as he sets her down from the cart, kissing her on the forehead. Ovaries, girls, please slow down, I preach mentally, because let’s be honest—there is nothing hotter than a man lovin’ up on his baby girl. Her little voice interrupts my thoughts as Madden adds the groceries to the conveyor belt.
Standing there with her little palm held up, she asks, “’Scuse me, can I puhlease have a quarter for a gumball?” Her eyes jet to me. “Or is that bad for me too, healthy lady?”
Yep, that’s it for me; this little girl has won me over. I just want to hang out with her.
“Bell-”
“Here you go.” I squat and lay two quarters I fished from my crossbody purse into her little palm, cutting off what I’m sure was going to be a scolding from her daddy. “Do you mind getting me a gumball too?”
“I ’pose,” she says, trotting off to the large gumball machine twenty-five feet away.
“Madden, is that you?” The question comes from the register over, and I recognize the voice immediately. Stalk much, Gia? Did she follow me here from the gym? I’m caught up in my internal tongue lashing of her that at first I don’t notice Madden’s demeanor has completely changed. What the fuck? Is that, is he … blushing?
“Ummmm h-hiii, Gia,” he mumbles like a freaking twelve-year-old pubescent boy. “It’s me.”
Well, no duh it’s you, jerk face. Seriously, fuckity fuck my life; she’s the story for another day. He’s so wrapped up in his conversation with Gia that he doesn’t notice me step away.
Taking the gumball from Belle, I wink at her and say, “You and me, cupcake date next week?”
“Healthy lady, I think you and I can make this work.” Watching her walk back to her dad’s side, I shake my head and think—she’s great.
*~*
“Jo, get your ass over here and hug me,” my good friend Laney shouts as I walk into the local diner around lunchtime. I freaking love my friend. I make my way over to our favorite booth and hug her neck. With my running the gym and her molding young minds, we haven’t seen each other in almost two weeks. That’s a long time for us to go without our gossip sessions.
“How’s my favorite preschool leader?”
“Eager for adult conversation where I can mutter any words I want without repercussion.” Laney has always had the mouth of a sailor; I honestly have no clue how she does it. “And how is my favorite Jordan with a clit, not a dick?”
“You all suck,” I tell her, laughing.
“Seriously, though, are things better with Madden?”
“Things are better; he is doing well, although we’ve only just begun.” She nods, and I proceed to tell her all about our adventure at Publix yesterday and meeting Belle. “Lan, I think Belle may replace you as my new best friend.”
“Isn’t she a hoot? Full of sass, personality, and so much menace it makes her too cute for her own good.”
“Be honest,” I prompt, “she has her daddy right where she wants him, doesn’t she?”
“Hell, she has Madden, Carter, and Maverick all wrapped around that tiny little finger.” She laughs and then says, “Although yesterday she may have been a little more extra. I’m pretty sure Carter gave her chocolate cake after school, and he said she stole a drink from his Red Bull when he wasn’t looking.”
Wasn’t looking my ass; Carter is vicious in his pranks. I laugh out loud with her.
“Madden seems like the best daddy. He just lights up when he looks at her.”
“Mmmm hmmm … does someone have a crush?” Laney asks, smirk firmly in place and mischief in her eyes.
Holding my hands up, I mutter quickly in protest, “No, no, no. Why would you think that?” I think about my words and rephrase. “Well, yes, if you’re asking if I have a crush, you are right. Belle is my new girl crush.” Laughing, I also add, “But I do not crush on my clients.”
Smiling, Laney looks at me pointedly and states firmly, “Back off my Belle, bitch. That five-year-old keeps me sane while dealing with that rowdy bunch of construction workers.”
We laugh and cut up all through lunch, catching up on all that is life.
“I’m sure that the preschool parents are happy to know you’re educating their children about stealing and gambling.” I recall Kenny’s story from the other day. I love giving Laney a hard time.
