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He shrugged. “Nah, it’s fine. If Chloe wants to take her teacher, that’s fine with me.”
Amelia sucked in a breath. I tried to hide the fact that his words felt like a slap on the face. I swallowed hard then dropped back down to Chloe.
“I think Chloe Cat and I are more than teacher and student. We’re friends. And when we’re outside of the classroom, you can call me Paxton.”
“Cause your Daddy’s old girlfriend, but you’re just friends now, right? Is that why I can call you Paxton?”
Oh dear. I think I’ve made this situation worse. “Um, yes.”
Wait. What was I saying yes to?
Clearing his throat, Steed asked, “Amelia, would you mind taking Chloe over and getting her a drink?”
Steed’s sister looked between the two of us. She took Chloe’s hand. “Come on, pumpkin. Let’s see what goodies we can find to eat.”
As they walked off, she glanced over her shoulder. “Don’t be a d.i.c.k. Steed.”
He rolled his eyes.
“What’s that spell, Aunt Meli?”
Steed watched them walk away. Once they were out of hearing range, he turned to me. “I don’t need you feeling sorry for Chloe. I would have figured it out.”
I was stunned and taken back by his tone. He’d never talked to me like that before.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first. It sort of slipped out.”
“Well, if you didn’t mean to say it I can explain to her you can’t go after all. Mom can take her. It’s some sort of spa day. Nails and toes and all that shit.”
My hands began to sweat. “If you’ll allow me, I’d really like to take her.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Why?”
“Why not? She’s an adorable little girl. Your little girl. I’d love to get to know her better.”
“She’s not a replacement.”
The sharp intake of air from my mouth had Steed closing his eyes and cursing under his breath. “Shit. I didn’t mean that, Paxton.”
My entire body started to shake and bile moved to the base of my throat. “Is that what you think? You think I’m using your daughter as some sort of sick pretend game?”
He shook his head. “No. Of course not. I’m angry, and I shouldn’t have said it.”
“I’m sorry you left last night. I tried to get you to stop.”
Steed laughed. “What? I asked you if you wanted me to stay, and you stood there on the goddamn porch staring at me. If you had wanted me to stay, I’d have been the one watching Joe drive away. Not the other way around.”
“I was confused and emotional. Everything we talked about…and then that kiss. Joe showing up threw me, and then you had to go all caveman and hit him.”
“He grabbed you, Paxton!”
I shook my head. “I needed to tell him there was no future with him, Steed. He was getting the wrong idea, and I needed to nip it in the bud and make it clear to him.”
“I’ll say the fuck he was. How often does he come over?”
With pleading eyes, I softly said, “Not here. Please don’t do this here, Steed.”
His shoulders dropped. “There never seems to be a good time or place, Paxton.”
“Steed! There you are.” Gina hooked her arm around Steed’s, smiling. “Lilly has been searching all over for Chloe. Do you want to take the girls on the train together?”
Steed went stiff, and I was almost positive I was giving Gina the stink eye. I turned away, getting ready to excuse myself.
“Sorry, Gina. Paxton’s already promised me and Chloe she’d ride the train with us.”
My head snapped back to look at him. “Um, yes. Yes I did.”
“Paxton! I got a pretzel!” Chloe cried out as she ran up to me. Gina’s eyes about popped out of her head when Chloe called me by my first name.
“Lilly!” Chloe cried out as both girls hugged. “Guess what? Paxton is taking me on a mother daughter date, but she’s not my mommy, but she is Daddy’s old girlfriend and best friend now. But they like each other. A lot.”
My mouth fell to the ground, and I was pretty damn sure so did everyone else’s. Steed and I looked at each other, and I could feel Gina’s glare.
Where in the hell did Chloe get all that from?
“Well, oh my, I hadn’t realized you two were an item again,” Gina said as Steed and I still stood there speechless.
Amelia laughed. “You know what they say about true love.” She winked at me, and I opened my mouth to speak, but I had nothing.
Oh lord. Rumors were fixin’ to fly.
After Gina walked off with her daughter, Steed pointed to Amelia. “What in the heck was that?” Then he looked down at Chloe. “And why did you say Paxton and I liked each other?”
With a huge grin, Chloe giggled. “Cause Aunt Meli said you two liked each other. A lot.”
