AllFreeNovel
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Chloe bites the inside of her cheek but doesn’t look up. “There’s a dance at school coming up,” she says so quietly I have to strain to hear her.
I clear my throat. “Okay. Do you want to go?”
“It’s a daddy-daughter dance.” Her voice trembles and her lip wobbles as she finally brings her gaze to mine. She looks every bit her age in this moment, despite her earlier attitude.
“Was someone rude about you having two moms? Because if they were, I’ll kill them,” I grit out. The idea of anyone making Chloe feel unworthy sends rage coursing through me.
She laughs and eyes me, her dark hair swaying as she shakes her head. “No. It’s 2022, Jay. People don’t care about that. Besides, my moms are Cynthia Caldwell and Catherine James. The most iconic woman in the fashion world and her protégé. People are begging to be friends with me.”
Damn, she’s smart. And as sassy as her mom. All I can do is nod in agreement. But I still can’t figure out why she’s shut down. “Then why are you upset, Chlo?”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and studies me. Her blue eyes are so full of emotion, so fucking vulnerable, it takes all my self-control not to reach across the table and pull her into my lap. “Because it’s a daddy-daughter dance, and I’ve never had a dad.”
The words are like a knife to the chest, but I keep my voice steady. “I understand.”
Her head shoots up. “You do?”
“Yeah, it’s okay that you don’t feel comfortable. This is going to take time. I’ll be here when you want me to be. And if you want space, I’ll give you that—”
“I don’t want space,” she rushes out.
“You don’t?” I swear my heart feels like it’s going to explode.
“No.” She picks at the napkin beside her bowl, avoiding my gaze. “I wanted to ask you to come, but I thought maybe it was too soon. Or maybe it would be too much for you.”
“I’d fucking love to take you to the dance, Chloe,” I practically shout. “Don’t tell your mom I cursed.Either of them.”
Her face lights up, and she wiggles in her seat. “You really want to go to the daddy-daughter dance with me?”
My heart pinches. “Chlo.” I take a risk and pull her chair closer to mine and wrap my arms around her. “There is nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Not even on a date with Cat?”
I huff out a laugh. She’s got me there.
“Is that something you want? Your mom and me to date?”
She tilts her chin and examines me with a pensive frown. “Is that what you want?”
“Yeah, I’ve wanted your mother since I first met her. There’s never been another woman who held a candle to her…”
Her face falls.
“What? What did I say wrong? You’ve got to communicate with me, or I don’t stand a chance here.”
She shrugs. “Is that why you’re here? Because you’re trying to win her back?”
I sigh. “If you’d let me finish, I was going to say that no one has compared to heruntil you. The two of you are everything to me. So honestly, I’d take a date with you over her because you and I have never had that chance. So will you do me the honor of being my date for the dance?”
She smiles. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face if I tried. “Now, about that ice cream…”
* * *
I’ve just closedChloe’s door, having indulged her in a story before bed, per her request, when the front door closes quietly. Hidden in the dark hallway, I take the opportunity to examine Cat as she slips off her heels, leans her head back against the front door, and exhales like she’s releasing a month’s worth of stress.
She looks utterly exhausted.
