Don stopped and looked up. "Devon. Hailey is doing her homework in her room."
"Thanks. Um, can you watch her tonight if I go to dinner with Chloe?"
"Of course." Don frowned. "Are you okay?"
"More than okay," Devon replied as he took the stairs two at a time. Don smirked at his retreating form.
"Hi, Daddy," Hailey said as Devon pushed open her door.
"Hey, sweetpea." He kissed the top of her head as he bent to look at what she was working on.
"I'm doing math."
"And you're doing an excellent job at it." He scanned her answers and kissed her again. "You've got them all correct."
"I know."
He huffed out a laugh. "Will you be all right with Grandpa if I take Chloe out to dinner? It'll be just the two of you."
She looked up with a grin. "Do you think Grandpa will take me for chicken nuggets if I ask him?"
"It's possible."
"Cool."
He smiled down at her. "You sure do make things easier for me."
"I do?" She scrunched her nose in his direction.
"Yes, because you're the best little girl a dad could ask for."
"Uncle Caleb says Maisie is the best little girl."
Devon squatted and hugged her. "Then you're my best girl, and Maisie is Caleb's best girl."
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, bug."
He took his shower, put on fresh clothes, and headed back downstairs after saying goodbye to his daughter. He told Don of Hailey's dinner request and left the house with anticipation singing through his veins. After making a stop in town, he drove to Chloe's house with his heart thumping in his chest.
