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It’s her turn to stifle a smile, and her eyes light up with a playfulness I’ve missed fiercely. “You’ve got a lot more muscle these days. You never struck me as the gym bunny type?”
My grin becomes a full-blown, Cheshire-Cat-ain’t-got-nothing-on-me smile, and a half-second later, a mirror image graces her perfect features.
“I’m the UK’s answer to Dwayne Johnson, Bam.”
Her laugh tinkles through the kitchen as she closes her eyes and throws her head back, allowing her mirth to overtake her entire body.
And my heart falls a little bit further, if such a thing were even possible.
* * *
SUMMER
Dinner was a torturous affair–if blissfully perfect can be considered torturous.
Today, despite having started out horrendously, has been one of the most relaxed days I’ve had in forever. Bella is the sweetest soul—her father incarnate.
And it took me precisely a nanosecond to fall madly in love with her.
Despite telling my wayward heart that we couldn’t allow ourselves to get too close, it was already too late. She burrowed into my heart as though she’d always been there, right alongside her father.
She took up residence in a space I didn’t realise was empty but instantly realised was meant to be filled with her light.
“Can we watch a movie before bed, Dad?” Bella is bouncing on the balls of her feet at the foot of her bed, where I’ve taken a seat.
Caden closes the bedroom door behind him and side-eyes his daughter playfully. “Depends on the movie, Bug.”
A smile lights up her little face. “You know the one…”
She trails off, glancing at me with a slight blush. I smile back encouragingly, only for my heart to melt when she climbs up onto my lap and settles against me.
Caden flashes his perfect teeth, making my melted heart flutter, before switching on the wall-mounted television and hitting a button on the remote control.
“I’m not pressing the play button until you’ve had your bath, Bug.”
Bella instantly stiffens in my arms. “I don’t like to, Dad. I’m not smelly.”
Her father chuckles. “You know the rule. Now, come on and let Summer have some time without her new shadow.”
“Please, Dad.” Bella tenses even further. “Can Summer stay with me? She’s my Summer-hero.”
Dear heart, you’re fucked.
“Of course, I’ll stay, Bella. Now…let’s get you all washed up, shall we?”
I stand, placing her on the ground and catching her hand to lead her to the ensuite bathroom. “Now, Dad will sort out your shower, and I’ll grab your pyjamas. Okay?”
Bella turns to look up at me, her small face scrunched up in anxiety, and I know she’s thinking about the water from this morning. The shower might be too much right now, but I know a little something about facing your fears.
The sooner you do it, the better.
I crouch down so that I’m at eye level with her, and I can feel Caden’s intense gaze upon both of us.
“Bella, I know water might be something you’re afraid of after what happened today, but you know what?”
Her voice wavers. “What?”
I smile encouragingly. “When you’re afraid of something, the best way to not be afraid anymore is to bebrave. Okay?”
