“I like horses and puppies and oh, cows, goats are kind of weird but cute, I really want to ride horses, but my daddy doesn't know how and we don't know anyone with a horse,” she says, all in one breath."You look like Ariel...but..."
“Good animal choices.”I lean closer.“Ariel is great, but you know who my favourite princess is?”
She shakes her head, eyes curious, curls flying.
“Merida,” I whisper.“She’s brave.Doesn’t need anyone to tell her who she’s supposed to be.”
The little girl gasps, delighted.“Daddy says that too!That she doesn’t need no man.”
I laugh.“Your daddy’s a smart man.”
He chuckles behind her, rubbing the back of his neck.“Depends on the day.”
“Tessa,” I say, standing, offering my hand.
He steps beside his daughter, smiling widely.His big, calloused hand grips mine, "Marcus Reeves, I play with Nate.and this little one..."
Before he can finish, my hand is stolen by a little one.She shakes it very seriously.“I am Olivia Reeves.You have pretty hair.”
“Thank you.You too.”
“Wanna swim with me?Daddy says the water is safe, but I watch the Discovery channel and know what is in the deep.”
I glance at him.He shrugs, smiling.“You’d be doing me a favour.”
“Well then, I guess I gotta make sure it's safe,” I say to her, grinning.“What do you think, Olivia, should I do a princess dive or something brave?”
“Brave!”she squeals.
“Brave it is.”
I take a running start down the dock and leap, curling tight midair before hitting the water in a perfect cannonball.The splash is massive.Cold, glorious water engulfs me.
When I surface, the group of girls on the dock are shrieking.
“Oh my god, seriously?”
“My hair!”
“What the fuck!”
Kenzie’s laugh breaks through it all.“That’s my girl,” she shouts, before ripping her dress off over her head, running and jumping in after me, her splash even bigger.
Olivia’s squeal echoes across the lake.“I’m coming too!Daddy, this is the best day evvvverrrr.”
Before anyone can stop her, she jumps, arms flailing, eyes squeezed shut, and lands with a splash that makes the girls on the dock run off.I catch her as she comes up sputtering, both of us laughing so hard I can barely breathe.
We float there, the three of us, Kenzie, Olivia, and me.I am grinning and feeling alive.
I canfeelthe eyes on us, especially his, but I let it all fade to background noise.
I focus my attention on the little girl who is living her best life, swimming with princesses.
We aren't alone for long; some of the guys join us, clearly all knowing Olivia.She swims around with the group, chatting with everyone about everything.
Later, we dry off on the grass near the deck, the sun shifting lower.Olivia has decided that my towel isourtowel and sits cross-legged facing me, her curls puffed into a halo.
“Daddy,” she groans, tugging one strand.“Help!I don’t wanna look like a dandelion!”
