Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“She was good today,” Octavia whispered when she stood up. She avoided my eyes as she walked past me and left the room.
I placed a kiss on Aleesa’s temple, pulled the blanket over her, and left the room as well. I normally stuck around, lying with her a bit to make up for lost time, but there was something I had to say to Octavia first. I caught her near the mudroom, stuffing her feet into a pair of sneakers.
“There’s leftover wild rice and chicken soup in the fridge if you want some,” she said, standing upright once she was situated. “I also ordered pizza for lunch earlier, so there are still a few slices in the fridge as well.”
“Ah.” I scratched my brow with my thumbnail. “Thanks.” I did not like how serious and to the point she was being. No jokes? No sarcasm? Nothing? I must have really hurt her feelings, which I did not think was possible.
She forced a smile at me, then turned for the patio doors in the kitchen like she always did when she was ready to go to the guesthouse.
I could still remember offering her the guesthouse as an option when she first moved here, but I had made it clear that she did not have to stay in it. I had three other bedrooms she could use, so I did not want her to think I did not want her in my house.
She had insisted on being in the guesthouse, though; said it would do her some good to have a place to go to outside of the one she theoretically worked at but still be close enough that she could pop in when needed.
“Hey, Octavia,” I called as she gripped the door handle.
She paused before peeking over her shoulder.
I stepped closer, and she turned fully to face me. As she did, I tried not to focus on her flat belly below the white crop top, or the way her black leggings hugged her thick hips and thighs. Or her hair, which was simple today. Down and swimming around her shoulders. No jewels. I wondered if the lack was to match her mood.
Yeah, I had really fucked up.
“Look,” I said, sighing. “I am really, really sorry for what I said to you yesterday.”
“Oh, it’s okay.” She waved a hand, like it didn’t matter. Like she wasn’t bothered at all. But I knew she was. “Don’t worry about it.”
“No, I have worried about it.” I took another step closer. “I was just . . . well, I do not like to see Aleesa hurt. I freak out and have the tendency to lose my temper, but I should not have taken it out on you. I just wished that I was there for her in that moment.” I paused so I could gather my thoughts. “Sometimes I . . . well, I just get upset because life can be so unfair. All I want is to be there for her, but I know that I cannot always be, because I have to work to provide for her, and this career is so consuming, so . . .”
Ah. This was hitting a little too close to home. Being this honest. Being this open.
She was quiet for a moment. “I understand,” she murmured, nodding. “And I apologize for not taking matters around here more seriously. I’ll try to limit that and promise not to get on your nerves as much.”
“So you have been purposely trying to annoy me?”
She lifted a hand, bringing her thumb and forefinger close together. “Just a teensy bit.” She half smiled, eyes glimmering. It was nice to see some of her light return.
“Of course you were.”
“No, but seriously, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain anything to me if you don’t want to. You are her dad, and I need to just shut my mouth sometimes. But you should know that I’d never let any harm come to Aleesa. I love that little girl. She stole my heart the moment I met her and still has it.”
I smiled. That, I believed. Her actions proved it daily. This wasn’t just a job to Octavia. This was her passion. She devoted herself to taking care of my kid. She made sure Aleesa was fed, clean, happy. That was all I wanted for her, really. Someone to care about her and to love her.
“Thank you for all that you do for her.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Our eyes lingered several seconds longer than usual. Then she jerked her gaze away.
“Anyway, I should get some sleep,” she said. “No games or practice tomorrow, right?”
“Practice tomorrow night, but I’m free in the morning and early afternoon. I would actually like to discuss Leesa’s birthday party with you, if that is okay? She will be turning four at the end of June, and I would like to throw a party to celebrate.”