She grinned over Hailey’s head. “Hi, yourself.”
Chloe lost her breath when he hugged her, too, and tried not to linger when he kissed her chastely.
“Why do grownups kiss all the time? Ooh, Chloe, can I have a kiss, too?” She bounced on the balls of her feet until Chloe leaned down and pecked her on the lips.
“Hailey, your necklace is very pretty, and I like your skirt.”
“I’m mad it’s not warm enough to wear it without pants.” She stuck out her lower lip. “Daddy, will you go down the slide with me?”
“Yes, bug.”
He took Chloe’s hand, and they went to the playground together. Hailey was already at the top of the slide when they got there, and he waited for her to slide down before he climbed with her.
They spent some time at the playground before they got in their vehicles and Devon followed Chloe to her parents’ house. The day had been fun so far, and he didn't want to allow his nerves to muck it up at such a late stage. Still, meeting his girlfriend’s father was a daunting task.
David opened the door and immediately pulled Chloe into an embrace. “Chloe, honey, it’s so good to see you.”
Chloe stepped back and gestured behind her. “Dad, this is Devon, and this is Hailey.”
“Mr. Hemsworth, it’s nice to meet you.” He held tight to Hailey’s hand as she hid behind his leg.
“Oh, Lord, please just call me David. It’s good to meet you, too, Devon.” He squatted. “You must be Hailey. I’m David.”
Hailey came halfway out from behind her father. “Is Chloe’s mommy a police officer like Mr. John?”
David grinned. “She’s the one in charge of all of them, even Mr. John.”
Hailey edged forward and put out her hand. “Can you shake my hand? I’m s’posed to be polite.”
“What do you think about a hug, instead?”
Hailey pursed her lips and eyed David, then Chloe. Chloe nodded. “‘Kay.”
David opened his arms wide, and Hailey threw hers around his neck. David patted her on the back.
“Are you my grandpa now?” she asked as David straightened.
Devon gave Chloe a pained look. She started to answer for her father, but David cut her off.
“Only if you want me to be, Hailey. It’s up to you what you call me and Chloe’s mom.”
Hailey tilted her head. “Okay.”
They shuffled inside with Hailey clinging to Chloe’s leg instead of Devon’s. Rebecca came out from a room off the hall. “Sorry, I had to work out an issue at the station. How are you, Devon?”
“I’m good, Rebecca.”
“Hailey, do you remember me from the hospital?” She, too, squatted down to her level.
“I don’t remember your name, but you asked me a lot of questions.”
“I’m Rebecca. I heard you like apple pie.”
Her eyes lit up. “It’s my favorite!”
“Well, if you want, we can eat some dinner and then you can have pie. How does that sound?”
She came out from behind Chloe and launched herself at Rebecca, almost knocking her on her butt. “Yay!”
