“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 ofmykid. 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.”
“Oh, Iloveparties,” she cooed.
I could not help my smile. “You seem like the type to love parties.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, a sassy hand going to her hip. She was smiling, though. Her playfulness had returned. Why did I feel so relieved about that?
“I just mean you seem like you like to have fun.”
“Hmm. Suppose I do. And I gotta say, you seem to enjoy the opposite of fun.”
Ah. Yes. It was definitely back. The jokes entwined with sarcasm were the Octavia Klein signature.
I huffed a laugh. “Good one.”
She patted herself on the shoulder with a lazy smile. “I’ll be here in the morning so we can chat about plans.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“Oh—did you have a good game? You guys won, right?”
“We did. It was not my best game, I won’t lie,” I said, scratching the back of my head. “But that is only because I felt very guilty today for being that rude to you. I took it too far.”
“Javier, seriously. It’s okay. Don’t feel guilty anymore. All is forgiven.”
“Are you sure?”
Her smile was warm, infectious. “I’m positive.”
“Okay. Only if you mean it.”
