He grinned. “You’re too smart for me.”
She chuckled. “Maybe I am. I don’t want you to regret anything tomorrow because I let you get carried away today.”
“I’ll try not to. Come here a minute.”
He groaned when she climbed right in his lap; he gripped her hips to hold her still. Lowering her head, she touched her lips to his in a gentle kiss.
“Devon, I’ll do my best to show you how to love again.” Her kiss changed to something that drew from deep within her body. Despite the caution she’d warned, she sunk into his embrace and rocked against him. Only when his moan became tinged with desperation did she pull back.
“Sorry, I guess I don’t have as much restraint as I thought I did.” She climbed off his lap and sat on the other end of the couch.
He scrubbed his hands over his face. “If anyone has the chance of making me fall in love again, Chloe, it’s you.” He brushed her hair off her face. “I’m more than halfway there. Being your friend first has meant the world to me.”
“I . . .” She swallowed.
“What is it?”
She shook her head. “It’s gotten very late, Devon.”
Chloe stood and backed to the door. Devon got up and followed, stopping to stand in front of her. “It’s always okay for you to say what you feel, Chloe. Even if I’m not able to reciprocate yet.”
She closed her eyes. “I can’t bear to say it out loud and not hear it in return. I’d rather wait.”
“Thank you for being honest.” He kissed her softly one last time. “I’ll call you after lunch, okay?”
She nodded but kept her lips pressed together.
~~~
“HAILEY, COME ON!”
Devon waited impatiently at the base of the stairs for his daughter to come down. When she finally appeared, she wore leggings, a skirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and a pink beaded necklace.
“Are you finally ready?”
She grinned as she jumped off the last step. “Ready Freddy!”
What could he do but chuckle and shake his head? He knew it would take her longer to get ready as she got older. He ushered Hailey out to the car so they could meet up with Chloe.
“When will it get warmer, Daddy?”
“Soon, I hope. In a few weeks, maybe.” He glanced at her scowl in the rear-view mirror. “It’s warm enough for the playground, don’t you think?”
“I s’pose.”
“You’ve been begging to see Chloe for a week, sweetheart.”
“I know, and it’s takingso longto get there!”
Since she couldn't see him, he rolled his eyes. None of that had anything to do with her changing her clothes three times, of course.
They pulled into the parking lot of the playground and saw that Chloe was already there. Devon parked next to her and felt the same anticipation his daughter must. They climbed out, and he let Hailey race off to where Chloe sat on a bench.
Her head rose at Hailey’s approach, and she stood to greet her. “Hailey!”
“Chloe!” Hailey threw her arms around Chloe. “Look, I got a necklace yesterday when I was with Grandpa. Did you and Daddy have fun roller skating? He says you had fun, but you fell. I don’t like to roller skate because I fall down, too. Don't feel bad for falling, ‘kay? You’re good at lots of things.”
Devon was in awe of his daughter’s ability to run her mouth, but he should be used to it by that point. “Chloe, hi.”
