Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Fuck you, I say to the universe.
But when I come, the words that come out are much different.
I miss you, Tiny.
“Daddy, your yuckies are very yucky today.”
I wrinkle my nose, rubbing my chin against my daughter’s cheek. “They are so yucky, Squish. Should I shave them?”
Katie giggles. “Yes, yes, shave them! Is Mare okay?”
“Maren is . . . fine.” I love that Katie is so smart. But sometimes the fact that she doesn’t miss a damn thing is a pain in the ass. Helps that she’s cute; she’s still wearing the princess costume she fell asleep in last night.
I’m carrying her upstairs for breakfast, my knees aching as I move. She woke up early today, a little before six, but I’ve been up for a while.
And by a while, I mean I didn’t sleep a fucking wink. I tried. When that didn’t work out, I tried reading. I ended up staring out my windows, looking for any signs of movement in Maren’s apartment.
“Poor thing,” Katie says. “She is not feeling well.”
Despite everything, I smile. “She’ll be better soon.”
“We should bring her candy. I like candy when I’m sick.”
“Uh. Well. Maybe later—”
But Katie is already wiggling out of my arms. She makes a mad dash across the kitchen, digging her hand into the plastic tub of Halloween candy I put out earlier this week. What can I say? Katie and I have the same weakness for Reese’s pumpkins.
Apparently, so does Maren.
“Daddy, I bring them to her.” Katie holds up two fistfuls of candy. “She’ll love it!”
“Maren needs her sleep, Katie.”
“Mare don’t need sleep. She needs candy!” And then Katie darts down the stairs.
Jesus effing Christ, this kid does not listen.
Grabbing the cup of coffee I just made off the counter, I chase Katie down. By the time I catch up to her, she’s already in the crofter and halfway up the stairs. Because she sounds like a herd of elephants, Katie undoubtedly woke Maren up.
Sure enough, the door at the top of the stairs opens. A sleepy, swollen-eyed Maren appears. Her tanned legs are bare. Arms crossed over her chest, doubtless because she’s still not wearing a bra.
My heart twists. Dick perks up.
“Mare, are you still sick?” Katie asks, her voice several octaves too loud. “I brought you candy to make you feel better. Can I have one too?”
Smiling, Maren reaches down to pick up Katie and settle her on her hip. “You’re so sweet to think of me. Thank you. Can I get a hug?”
“Sure.” Katie lets her head fall on Maren’s shoulder while Maren squeezes her.
“Aw, thank you. I needed that.”
The heat of the mug makes my hand prickle. “Did we wake you?”
“I’ve been up for a bit.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Okay. Tired. You?”
“I’m all right.”
I promised myself I’d keep boundaries clear. Which means not being around Maren more than is strictly necessary. But I can’t not offer her coffee and something to eat. I can’t leave her alone like this. She’ll usually eat dinner with us, but Katie and I always do breakfast—and Saturdays—just the two of us. Maren’s not on the clock yet at that time of day, and I think she understands that mornings are my bonding time with my daughter.
I hold out the mug. “Coffee will help. I was going to make some pancakes and eggs if you want to join us.”
Something flickers across Maren’s dark eyes. “I don’t want to intrude on y’all’s Saturday morning.”
“Pancakes!” Katie yells. “Daddy, can you make mine with butter and syrup and chocolate chips too?”
“Only if you say please,” Maren replies.
Katie grins. “Please? And Mare can play with me while you make them.”
Maren glances at me.
“You need to eat,” I say. “I’ll put on SuperKitties so Katie’s entertained. You can rest on the couch and drink your coffee.”
She swallows. For a horrible second, I think she’s going to cry again. Her voice is thin when she says, “That sounds really nice. Thank you.”
“You take the coffee.” I hand it to Maren. “I’ll take the princess.”
Back at the house, I turn on the TV. Fluff the pillows on the couch.
“Sit,” I tell Maren.
“Can we snuggle?” Katie asks her.
I shake my head. “Squish, Maren isn’t feeling well, remember?”
“But I want to snuggle.”
“Then we’ll snuggle!” Setting her coffee on a side table, Maren grabs Katie and together they plop onto the couch. Maren settles onto her side, then curls Katie’s little body into hers.
Katie smiles as she burrows into the pillows. “Where’s the blankie?”
“Goodness, you’re high maintenance,” I say.
Maren grins. “She is royalty.”
“Like she’d ever let us forget.” I grab the blanket from the back of a nearby chair. Settle it over them. “Anything else, m’lady?”
But Katie is already too absorbed in SuperKitties to answer.
“I’ll have breakfast ready in twenty,” I tell Maren. “How do you feel about chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes?”
She grins. My heart twists. “I feel great about them. How can I help you?”