She had crossed an ocean for Greg. Had believed in something with her whole heart. Believed in him. They’d shared secrets, fantasies, late night laughter and soft, silly bedtime rituals. He’d called herhis.
And now... poof. Gone. Just like that.
Was she broken?
There was no sobbing for him. No curling up in bed refusing to eat or a yearning for what was. Instead, now, she just felt sort of... stupid. Stupid for believing in a dream spun throughphone screens and voice notes. Stupid for thinking something that perfect could be real.
Even more unsettling than the embarrassment was the fact that, somewhere deep inside, her heart was already reaching for someone else.
Someonesif she was being honest.
Levi and his handsome partner. Roland.
The very thought made her squirm.
Was she a fickle tease who didn’t know what she wanted?
There were too many confusing thoughts running through her head for her to get a handle on it.
Levi had been nothing but kind. Strong. Gentle and protective. She’d melted in his arms twice now in less than twenty-four hours. And when he looked at her, it wasn’t with pity. It wasn’t some bored Daddy humoring a stray Little. Despite him having a partner, it was clear there was something in his expression that showed interest.
And even through her daze yesterday she saw the same in the other man’s expression when he’d stared at her from his seat across the office.
And wasn’t that exactly the problem?
Her feelings were being flung around like laundry in a tumble dryer, and she didn’t know what or even whom to trust. Especially not herself. It scared her how fast she was attaching herself to this new Daddy. Was she that desperate and starved for affection? For belonging?
Her thumb rubbed slow circles over Banana’s threadbare ear as she stared at nothing in particular. Maybe she couldn’t be sure about Levi just yet. But therewassomething shewassure about.
She trusted Rawhide.
Sydney trusted the way Master Derek looked at her. Not like she was a burden or an idiot, but someone worth protecting. Shetrusted the warmth in Sadie’s teasing, the way Chloe had yelled about zebras, the hush that had fallen when she’d said she’d never had ranch dressing. She trusted this place in the way a child trusts a nightlight, not to go out.
So maybe, justmaybe,she didn’t have to decide right now if she could trust Levi and Roland completely.
Because Master Derek clearly did. And that could be enough. For now.
Levi’s voice pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.
“Hey, little miss. You hear there’s an extra special art class today?”
She blinked up at him.
“A what?”
He grinned, causing her belly to gowhoosh. “Art class. A world-famous artist is hosting it for all the Littles. Maybe you’d like to check it out while we go through all this?” He tilted his head toward Master Derek, who was still quietly scrolling, looking more serious by the second. “Might be good to get your mind off things.”
“You mean Megan’s Daddy is a famous artist?” Sydney blurted.
Levi’s face split into a grin. “That would be him, yes. What do you think?”
It didn’t sound bad. In fact, when she’d heard about it she’d been excited about the idea. She wasn’t an artist by any stretch, but the thought of being around paint, giggles, and maybe some glitter sounded far preferable to sitting here while Master Derek read through her dirtiest messages.
She nodded, shy but sincere. “Okay. Yeah. That sounds nice.”
Levi gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Good girl.”
The warmth of that praise settled low in her belly.
