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“Let’s never do that again, okay? From now on, we work our shit out before it gets that far.”
“Deal.”
“And while we’re on the subject of beds, I want you in mine.”
“I am in yours.” Scarlett rubs her soft body against mine. “Well, technically, it’s my bed, but I gave it to you for the night.”
“What I meant is that I want you in my bed for the remainder of your time in New Hope.”
Scarlett blinks, her lips forming the perfect little O. “I just assumed that I’d stay with my dad until it was time to leave.”
“And you can, if that’s what you want to do, but I’d really like you with me. You said that Rick was cleared, and he’s been by himself all weekend and has done fine.”
Finally, Scarlett smiles. “You’re right. And I’ll still be super close in case he needs me.”
“So, you’ll stay with me?”
Scarlett pushes her fingers into my hair, palms the back of my head, and pulls me to her. “Yes, I’ll stay with you.”
“Can I please have a dog for my birthday?” Chloe curls her hands under her chin and begs me with her big, brown eyes. “Please, please, please.”
“Chloe, you know we can’t have a dog.”
“But I’ll have all summer to work on potty-training, and I’ll teach it to learn different commands. I promise I’ll take care of it all by myself.”
“That’s not why I’m saying no. We just don’t have time. Maybe one of these days, but not right now.”
Chloe gives me the stink-eye and sulks out of the room.
“When is Chloe’s birthday?” Scarlett says, walking into the living room from the kitchen.
“In two weeks.”
“I had no idea! Why didn’t you tell me her birthday is coming up?”
“We’ve been so busy, and I never thought about it.”
Scarlett rubs her hands together and gets a twinkle in her eye. “So, what are we getting her?”
“We?” I pull her onto my lap and press my lips to her ear. “I like the sound of that. And we are getting her a dog,” I whisper.
“What?” Scarlett pulls back, a giant grin on her face. “But you just said—”
“I know what I said,” I say, pressing a finger to my lips so she’ll keep quiet. Chloe has been asking for a dog for years, but the timing has never been right. I think we’re finally ready to make the commitment now that she’s old enough to take on the responsibility. “It’s going to be a surprise. The local shelter has some puppies that will be ready for their forever home by the time her birthday rolls around.”
“Are you going to give it to her at her birthday party?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“What’re you doing for her party? What’s the theme?”
“Theme?” I shake my head. “There is no theme. My parents, Dean, and Scooter will come over for a BBQ. Rick usually finds his way over, too. And you…I’m hoping you’ll be here this year.”
Scarlett nods and wraps her arms around my neck. “Of course, I’ll be here. I don’t have to go back for another month. But, Tucker, come on, she’s turning twelve. You have to throw her a party.”
“No, I don’t. Chloe has never really had a big birthday party with friends.”
Scarlett looks appalled. “That’s all the more reason to throw her one now.”
“I don’t know.” I scratch my head and think about it. “I’m a little short on time. Maybe next year.”
“There’s plenty of time! Let me plan it.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering. I love Chloe, and I would love nothing more than to throw her a party she won’t forget. Plus, I have mad party-planning skills.”
How do I tell Scarlett no? She looks so darn excited, and it makes me happy that she wants to do this for Chloe. “Fine, but we have to agree on a price limit.”
“There is no price limit.”
“Scarlett, I’m not loaded.”
“You’re not, but I am. And before you even say it, you are not paying for a penny of this party. Consider it my gift to her,” she says, ending her rant with a heated kiss to my lips.
Whatever rebuttal I was building up in my head dissipates when she slides her tongue into my mouth.
“Okay, this is really starting to get old,” Chloe says.
Scarlett’s cheeks turn a deep pink as she slides off my lap.
Chloe just shakes her head and walks out of the room.
“I’m going to get started on the planning,” Scarlett whispers.
I barely see her for the next three days. She’s on the phone, traveling from venue to venue, all the while keeping things very tight-lipped. When she said she was a mad party planner, she wasn’t joking.
Finally, at the end of the week, after a long shift at work, Scarlett pulls me into the bedroom and hands me a file folder.
