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“I know baby, but Mommy’s gonna have a long day so I figured it might be best if you stayed with Auntie Val instead.”
She lifted her head, those little tiny lips of hers that matched the shape of mine pushing into a pout. “But Mommy, you said I was the best ’sistant ever and you needed my help.”
Oh God. This sweet little face.
“Youarethe best assistant. The best ever but Auntie Val is going to be really sad if you don’t spend the day with her. She’s planned some really good stuff.”
“Like what?”
Shit, think Cadence.
“It’s a surprise.”
Her little eyes lit up. “A surprise?”
“Yep, but you have to hurry and get ready, okay?”
“Okay.”
The innocence of a four year old. She pecked my lips before climbing off my lap and heading toward the bathroom. “I’m gonna wash my face and brush my teeth so I can hurry.”
I grinned at just how quickly her mood had changed. “Okay, I’ll leave your clothes on the bed.”
“Okay Mommy. Make sure I look pretty for my surprise.”
I grinned as I stood and walked to the closet, taking out a sleeveless pink sundress that I laid on the bed, placing a pair of matching pink converse on the floor beneath it.
“You’re a horrible person, you know that right?”
Val’s groggy voice had my head whipping around to her and then peeking at the bathroom where I heard the water running which meant Gracie was likely brushing her teeth.
I hurried to the door and shoved Val into the hallway where she grinned at me. “So I have a surprise for Gracie?”
“You do now so I suggest you make it good,” I hissed, crossing the hall to my bedroom, followed by Val.
“I thought she was going with you today.”
“She was, but something came up.”
“Something or someone?” She arched a brow paired with a smug grin. One that I didn’t like but knew Ideservedalong with the slight judgment that I felt aimed at me.
“Something and it’s not a big deal. I’m just showing him around town.”
“Mmhmm.”
“Don’t do that. I have to take pictures and he asked for a tour.”
“But last time I checked you were a lot of things, mother, best friend, photographer, amazing songwriter, but not a tour guide.”
“Can you just not, okay?” I warned, leaving the room to head to my bathroom. She followed and stood in the doorway watching while I split my braids down the middle and started the process of securing the first one into a French braid.
“I’m not judging, Cadee. Shit, I’m glad to see you interested in something other than that damn camera and Gracie. Just be careful, okay? He’s not one of us.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in him like that. I’m just being a good human.”
“Which I won’t argue because you are. The best I know but people take advantage of your kind of good, Cadee. You give so freely sometimes that…”
“I know. I made one mistake and I won’t make it again. I’m reminded every day but I wouldn’t take it back. That little girl is the best thing I’ve ever done and I’m not naïve. I know how to take care of myself.”
