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“It’s all thanks to you.” I kiss her forehead. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” she murmurs.
“Daddy,” Lola squeals as she comes barreling toward me, still dressed in her daisy costume.
I catch her in my arms and twirl her around. “I’m so proud of you, ladybug. You were amazing.”
“Marlow, did you see me swaying like we practiced?”
“You were perfect.” Marlow leans in to kiss her cheek. “I brought you something.” She hands Lola a single long-stem white gerbera daisy.
“It’s a daisy, just like me,” Lola exclaims. “It’s so pretty. How did you fit it in your pocket?” she asks with a puzzled expression as she looks Marlow up and down.
Today she’s dressed in a hot pink jumper with a light blue shirt underneath and wearing her favorite silver sneakers. Even on a rainy day, she’s a ray of sunshine. My ray of sunshine.
“It was too big, so I had to carry it,” Marlow explains.
She bought it from a booth the owner of Blooms had set up outside the auditorium.
“Oh, that makes sense.” Lola gently strokes the petals of her flower.
We move to the side of the hallway that’s bustling with families waiting for the rest of the kids to come out from backstage.
When my parents and brothers come to join us, Marlow leans over to me. “I’ll be right back. Quinn and Andi are here, and I want to say hi.”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
“Very impressive, little lady.” Harrison ruffles Lola’s hair as Marlow walks away.
“Thanks, Uncle Harrison.” Lola grins.
“Ladybug, that was killer,” Cash exclaims, giving her a high five. “Next time, I want a shout-out too.”
“Only if you help me practice,” Lola says in a serious tone.
“Pinky promise?”
Lola giggles, extending her pinky as Cash hooks his with hers, sealing their deal.
Next thing I know, she’s going to get in the habit of disrupting every play to say hi to someone in our family. I’ll definitely need to have a chat with her before the next one.
“Where’s my hug?” my dad questions.
“Papa,” Lola squeals, rushing over to hug my parents.
“So, brother, how’s the dog training coming along?” Cash mocks.
I shoot him a scowl. He knows perfectly well how things are going. Waffles and I have been at it for weeks with nothing to show for it. I’ve watched countless online tutorial videos and sought advice from several local dog trainers, but nothing has worked. Hell, I’d be content if he would just learn to obey my command to sit.
“You manage a team of a hundred. I’d think you’d be able to train one little dog,” Harrison says with mock disappointment. “I may need to reconsider your position at Stafford Holdings.”
“You’re such an ass,” I grumble.
“Daddy said a bad word,” Lola shouts.
Great. Of course she heard that.
I shield my face with my hand when the people nearby stare, giving me dirty looks.
