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37
Pippa
Pippa stirred awake, snuggling into her soft pillow. Her eyes blinked open as Mason’s scent filled her nostrils. She smiled and reached out, finding nothing but cool sheets. She turned over. He was gone. A folded piece of paper with her name scrawled on it in blocky masculine print sat by the clock on the side table. Pippa picked it up, opened it quickly.
Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,
Wish I could be here to bring you breakfast, but I had to get back to Aspen and relieve the babysitter. (Don’t let Aspen know that’s what I refer to Amara as—Aspen hates that I won’t leave her home alone yet.) Anyways, I might have bribed a certain someone to deliver a coffee and a treat to your door from the bakery. So you better check before it gets too cold. Delivery should be there about eight.
Text me when you’ll be available for me to pick you up after work. Today’s a good day to spend at the beach. So be sure to put on that red bikini I like so much.
Love you,
M
Pippa scurried out of bed and to the door. Lady followed her, barking once as if to say, What are you doing, crazy woman? Pippa opened the door, and sure enough, there was her breakfast. She plucked up the offerings and let Lady out to do her business before returning to her bedroom to find her phone.
Pippa: Thank you for breakfast. I’m gonna get fat with all these cookies and muffins you feed me.
Mason: More of you to love.
“Oh my God. This guy.” Pippa pointed her phone towards Lady who barked and licked her hand.
“So he has your approval, huh?” Pippa giggled. Maybe this could work.
Pippa: I’ll be ready by one.
Mason: I can’t wait. Love you.
Pippa’s thumb hovered over the keyboard but she wasn’t ready to say it back yet—not after everything.
Her phone rang, and her father’s name flashed on her screen.
“Papi?”
“Hey, baby girl.”
“Where are you now?” she asked, going to her dresser to pick out clothes for the few hours she’d be at the shop.
“I’m in Pennsylvania, so not too far. How you been feeling?”
“I’m great.” Mostly.
“That’s good to hear. How’s the bookstore?”
“Pretty busy. Lots of tourists are in town and that’s helpful. I hired another part-time worker.”
A honking car sounded from the background on his end of the phone. “Mm-hmm, sounds like you’re making your dreams come true, baby girl. I’m so proud of you.”
Tears blurred Pippa’s vision. She sat on the edge of her bed. “Papi? I know how you sacrificed everything for me. I’m so grateful. And I’m sorry that . . .” Her voice broke. That because of me, you went to prison.
“Everything I do is for you girls, and your mama when she was alive. You are my world. Someday, if you ever have a child, you’ll understand. I’m just so happy to see you going after what you want even with everything going on with your health. You are an inspiration, mija.”
The tears fell freely down her cheeks. Oh, how she missed her dad. She wanted to be wrapped up in one of his hugs.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll come visit soon. You can show me what you’ve done with the place.”
“I’d love that. And there’s someone here I’d like for you to meet.”
