My first thoughtas I open my eyes in the morning and stare into Ava’s sleepy face as she’s holding her ladybug teddy isthank god Arlo borrowed a shirt from me and we decided to keep our underwear on. It was Arlo’s idea since I usually leave the door unlocked in case Ava needs me.
“Morning, Jellybean. Is everything okay?”
Arlo is sleeping soundly behind me. His arm is around my waist under the covers.
Ava kneels on the floor on my side of the bed and whispers, “Can we make breakfast pancakes for Arlo?”
I smile and give her a morning kiss. “Of course we can, sweetie.”
“Can I wake him up?”
I look behind me. Part of me wants to let him experience an Ava morning. It would be hilarious. But another part of me, the one who is a sensible adult, wins.
“Not just yet. Why don’t you get dressed and meet me in the kitchen?”
“Okay, Daddy. Can I jump on Arlo next time?”
I bite my lip so I don’t laugh. “Yes, honey. Next time you can give him your special wake-up call.”
She seems happy with my answer and leaves the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
I turn over to face Arlo and start placing soft kisses on all the skin I can reach.
“Hmm…” He groans.
“Hmm good? Or hmm bad?”
He opens his eyes and smiles. “Waking up to you is always hmm good,” he says.
“You’ve just been saved from an Ava wake-up call. I’ll collect my reward later.”
He chuckles. “That sounds ominous.”
“You have no idea. Come on. I wanted to wake you up with a make-out session, but Ava will be knocking on the door if we don’t go downstairs. She wants to help make pancakes for you.”
His smile is everything I never thought I’d see from another man when talking about my daughter.
“See?” he says, looking all smug. “I told you I was her favorite.”
“You’re also my favorite.” I give him a long, slow kiss that’s full of promise.
“Win-win.”
After breakfast, as promised, we head over to Arlo’s place. I bring my camera to retake some of the photos I think could be better after seeing them on his website. I also want to try some combinations of pieces that might go together.
I want to talk to Arlo about looking for more photography gigs locally. It’s now clear I’ll never get any work in Chicago, and after helping Arlo with his website, I feel I’ve neglected mine long enough. It’s time to stop using my bartending gig as an excuse and do what I was born to do.
“Liv said she’d like to clear out the garage,” I say as we’re walking up the stairs to his place.
“Oh yeah? Let me know when, and I’ll come over to help.”
“Thanks, that’s…that’s not why I’m telling you. She thought the garage would be a good space for a photography studio for me. It’s big enough, and we always park in the driveway anyway.”
Arlo takes my hand until I’m in his embrace. He kisses me on the nose as we sway from side to side, dancing to silent music.
“That’s an excellent idea. I love your cocktails, but after seeing the photos you have on your website, I know photography is where your heart is. Have you ever thought about doing baby and family photoshoots? There are a couple of wedding photographers in Stillwater, but I don’t think they specialize in more artistic photos.”
I pull his jacket off and throw it on the couch.
