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“But not today,” Steele added. “Today is for fun. You want to explore your room, baby?”
She nodded. “Yes, please!”
* * *
Grady thoughthe might have felt more awkward.
Well, he definitely felt awkward. But not because he wasn’t sure how to act with Effie. But because he was wearing a neon orange tutu, bright pink fingerless gloves, and an orange scarf.
“Daddy G, you look so pretty.”
“So pretty.” Steele grinned at him.
He knew the other man had been surprised when Effie called him Daddy G, but he hadn’t said anything. Which was a miracle for Steele.
“What about Daddy, Little one?” Grady asked. “Doesn’t he need to dress up for the tea party?”
“Ooh, yes.” Effie clapped her hands from where she sat on a fluffy bean bag.
Steele had dressed her in one of her new outfits. She was wearing neon orange tights, a black skirt, and the bright pink T-shirt that Millie had made for her with a sloth on it.
“I think I’m fine as I am,” Steele said hastily.
She pouted. “Daddy, don’t you want to look pretty for the tea party?”
“Yeah, Daddy,” Grady teased.
Steele shot him a look, then turned to Effie. With a sigh, proving there was little he wouldn’t do for their girl, he nodded. “All right, but I doubt anything in there will fit me.”
Everything wasn’t miraculously all right. She’d moved her legs, but said that they still felt numb. And Grady knew talking to a professional was definitely the right way to go. But it could get rocky.
However, if he had to tie her to them to get her to hold on, he would.
“Here you are, Daddy!” She held up a green, fluffy scarf and a pink tutu.
“Baby girl, pink is not Daddy’s color.” Steele shook his head.
“Really, Daddy,” she huffed. “Daddy G didn’t complain about his outfit.” She wiggled a finger at him. “You need to stop moaning so much. Or Effie might have to spank you.”
Steele snorted. “That won’t be happening, Spitfire. Keep up that attitude, though, and you’ll find yourself sitting in Time-out.”
Effie bit her lip. Then she turned to him. “Daddy G, Other-Daddy is being mean to me. Will you tell him off?”
Other-Daddy?
Oh, even if she wasn’t in trouble for trying to set one against the other, calling Steele Other-Daddy was going to get her in a world of trouble.
“No, I won’t,” Grady told her firmly. “Damon and I work together. We are on the same page when it comes to you. And there’s no pitting one against the other.”
Chagrin filled her face. “Sorry, Daddies.”
“Other-Daddy?” Steele asked incredulously.
“Umm.” She bit her lower lip.
“Time-out for you.” Steele stood, picked her up and carried her to the Time-out chair.
And, wow, she had trouble with the concept of Time-out. She fidgeted, she talked, and she had it extended three times before Steele gave up, lifting her out and carrying her back to the bean-bag.
