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I can see how that would make living with me a lot more appealing.
“Will you ask about me staying with you?” Scarlett asks.
“Won’t you miss your friends?” I ask, knowing there is no way Celeste is going to go for this. “Your team?”
Scarlett shrugs. “All the boys on my team are gross.”
“That doesn’t get any better. Even at my age, boys are still gross.” Eloise scrunches up her face in mock disgust.
I shoot a look. “Hey.”
Eloise playfully rolls her eyes. “Well. . . I guess not all boys. Some shower, like your dad.”
Scarlett giggles again, wiping her tears.
If it were up to me, I’d take Scarlett full time without any hesitation, but I don’t exactly have the most stable environment to be a single dad. What about when I’m on the road? Or at practice? Or games?
“I won’t miss them,” she says. “I miss you more.”
“I miss you too,” I tell her.
“Then let me stay,” she pleads.
“It’s not just my decision,” I tell her.
“But will you talk to Mom?”
“Sure,” I say. “I know she won’t give you up, but we will work something out.”
“And Eloise can watch me when you’re on the road or you have a game,” Scarlett says.
“That’s not really part of her job.” I stand.
“But she doesn’t mind, do you, Eloise?” Scarlett drops my hand and turns toward Eloise.
“I love hanging out with you,” Eloise tells her. “I think you’re the coolest kid I know.”
“See?” Scarlett’s wide eyes are trained on me now.
“But—” Eloise takes Scarlett’s hand and stands. “These are grown-up decisions, and I don’t really have a say. So, for tonight, why don’t you guys head on over to Poppy’s and have the best Daddy/Daughter date ever?”
Scarlett’s face falls. “You’re coming too, right?”
Eloise looks like she just swallowed a goose. “No, this is your night. Your last night, and I’m not intruding on that. You guys need some quality time.”
“But I want you there,” Scarlett says.
Eloise glances at me, clearly now the one at a loss.
“Go put on a nice dress.” Scarlett steps away from Eloise.
“That was really bossy,” Eloise says, her tone light but serious.
“You’re right.” Scarlett sighs, and I love the banter they’ve developed in just a few short days. “I’m sorry for being bossy. But you can’t go in that.”
Eloise gives herself a once-over. She’s wearing black joggers and a cropped blue hoodie, and frankly, she looks about as beautiful as I’ve ever seen her look. She’s not the type of person who needs a lot of help to make herself attractive.
She glances up at me, and I realize I’m staring. Normal people would smile or speak, but I just keep staring.
