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Hailee bounces around the room in giddiness. “Yes! That would be so amazing. Blake would totally be my dad then, and it would be the absolutebestest.”
My chest swarms with so much love for this little girl that my eyes well with tears, but I don’t let them fall. I want Hailee to think this was her idea, and I want her to be a part of it. So I spin and drop to the floor on one knee, grabbing Zoey’s hand in mine. Her eyes fall on me, widening as she stares at me. “W-what are you do—”
“Zoey Zavorelli, since the moment I joined Ensure and you walked into my life, I knew you were the woman for me.” Hailee smiles so wide, bouncing up and down on her toes. “Being here, being a part of your life, being a part of Hailee’s life was so unexpected but so undeniably amazing that I don’t want to spend another day without the both of you by my side. So, Zoey, will you do me the greatest pleasure of my life and become my life partner, my true love, my wife?”
A tear falls down her cheek as Hailee giggles, jumping up and down on the spot. “Say yes, Mommy, say yes!” she squeals, and Zoey laughs, nodding her head.
“Yes,” she sniffles. “Absolutely, yes!”
I stand, pulling Zoey with me, into my arms as I kiss her. I know she’s already said yes, but this feels more like a real proposal, especially with Hailee here. I kiss Zoey hard and feel Hailee slam into our legs embracing us. We chuckle, pulling apart, and she smiles wide up at us. “I’m like a little Cupid. You can call me Matchmaker Hailee.”
Zoey and I both laugh as Zoey kneels to her level. “You sure you’re okay with this, sweetheart?”
Hailee rolls her eyes at her mother. “Mommy, this wasmyidea. I practically forced Blake into this. And I am so glad he did. Are you happy, Mommy? Because you deserve to be happy.”
Zoey wipes another tear from her cheek. “Yeah, Starshine. I’m really happy, and thank you for looking out for me.”
“Forus,Mommy.” Hailee turns to face me and reaches out, grabbing my hand. “We’re gonna be such a happy family.”
My chest squeezes. Hailee has only ever known life as a split family. And this little girl craves stability. Well, I am going to give that to her. “We need to celebrate… shall we head out for dinner tonight? I want to take you both somewhere special.”
Zoey scowls. “Do you plan to spoil us again?”
Grinning, I shrug. “Only the best for my girls.”
“I’m in.” Hailee smirks, and Zoey narrows her eyes on her daughter but then relents.
“Okay, it’s a special occasion. Let’s go somewhere nice to celebrate.”
“Yay!” Hailee chimes as I pull out my cell to start typing out a message to let Tahlee know we’re going to be headed her way.
“I know just the place.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Blake
The meal, as always, is delicious at Tahlee’s restaurant, and Hailee can’t get over the décor in here. Her little eyes keep wandering all over the place as she eats her spaghetti and meatballs, slurping up the pasta and getting marinara sauce all over her shirt.
Zoey finally sips on a glass of expensive red while I sit back, completely full from my steak. “You enjoying that, Starshine?” I ask as another strand of spaghetti slivers up into her mouth with a long slurp, sauce flicking everywhere.
She bobs her head dramatically, her eyes wide as Tahlee approaches the table. “Hey guys, how was everything tonight?”
Hailee doesn’t speak, just continues to slurp, giving Tahlee two enthusiastic thumbs up.
Zoey smiles and pats her stomach. “I don’t know how you got that glaze on the salmon so sticky like that, but damn, Tahlee, I think you should come and live with us and cook for us every day.”
Hailee nods and gives another enthusiastic thumbs up, her mouth still full.
“People will start to talk if I have two women living with me. I mean, not that I mind how that makes me look in all this,” I tease, and Zoey slaps my chest.
Tahlee rolls her eyes. “Typical male. But I will say it’s nice to see you out enjoying yourself away from the company for once, Blake.”
I raise my brow. “Says the woman who can’t tear herself away from her own restaurant. When’s the last time you had a day off, Tahlee?” I ask, and she glances around the fancy-looking place.
“This is like my home. I’m here more than my actual place.”
I snort out a laugh. “My point exactly… Tahlee, honestly, you need to get out and live a little. I was like you, glued to my job. But, when you find something worth living for, life is so much brighter,” I say, sliding my arm around Zoey’s shoulders and pulling her to me as we sit in the booth.
