Sawyer was carefully carrying a pitcher of orange juice over to the table, moving slowly. I swooped in to help, steadying her grip on it and helping her lift it to the tabletop. “Thanks, Daddy.” She said with notable relief, brushing the back of her little hand across her forehead and heaving an exhausted sigh.
“Cooking breakfast is hard work, isn’t it?” I teased, my lips tilting up in a smile reserved only for my daughter; my little ray of light.
“Oh, it’s no bother,” Sawyer said sweetly, and my smile widened with amusement, my eyes darting to Mom. It was a term she said quite often.
Mom laughed, shaking her head, her eyes shining. She carried two plates to the table, setting them down before returning for the last one and the maple syrup. We sat down at the table and dug in.
“How is it, Daddy?” Sawyer asked, sitting up straighter and watching me chew a pancake with eager eyes.
“Very good,” I assured her, taking another big bite. She flashed a toothy grin at her grandma.
“You’re a wonderful helper, Sawyer,” Mom said, her smile warm.
Sawyer beamed, and my heart thrummed with happiness at the sight of it. I’d do anything to make my little girl happy, but I didn’t have to try hard. Sawyer just was an easy going, happy kid—well-rounded and adjusted, despite the storms and changes in her life.
* * *
Cheryl was waitingon the porch when I pulled up to the curb to drop Sawyer off. I nodded at her as I walked around to help Sawyer out.
Her lips were tugged down in a scowl, and her brows were furrowed together. This was Cheryl in full-blown pissed off mode, and I knew just by looking at her that I was in for her wrath.
“Guess what Mommy! Grandma came to visit!”
Schooling her displeasure as much as she could, Cheryl offered our daughter a warmer smile and crouched to hug her. “I can’t wait to hear all about it, but first—I have to talk to your Daddy. Why don’t go say hi to Mason?”
Sawyer looked at me over her shoulder, then glanced back at her mother. The excitement that had shown in her eyes waned slightly. “You’re not going to yell at him, are you?”
“Of course not.” Cheryl smiled sternly, straightening and holding a hand to her back.
Sawyer turned and hugged me tightly. “Bye, Daddy.”
“See you soon, kiddo,” I promised, ruffling her hair. Cheryl and I both watched as she walked away, looking reluctantly over her shoulder, but my ex waited until after she’d closed the door to face me, her green eyes flashing with anger. “What’s this about, Cheryl?”
“You know what this is about,” she said, her tone icy. “Cindy told me something interesting.” I blinked, the name rang a bell, but I couldn’t remember why. “She said you mentioned you had a girlfriend. I told her that couldn’t be true, but she told me she saw you the following weekend at a bar with some tart.”
I exhaled, working to reign in my irritation at Gwen being called a tart byCheryl, of all people. Cheryl, who let Mason go balls deep while she was still warming my bed. The irony made my lips curl. “What does it matter?”
“What?” Cheryl demanded, staring at me like she didn’t understand my question.
“What does it matter to you if I have a girlfriend or not?” I repeated, keeping my cool despite the anger brewing inside of me.
“It doesn’t matter,” she snapped, her scowl deepening. “I just don’t wantheraround Sawyer.”
I chuckled without humor. “You introduced her to Mason pretty early on, if I recall.”
“That’s different,” Cheryl said, her tone as stormy as the fury in her eyes.
“That’s the thing, it really isn’t.” I corrected, shaking my head. “I don’t have a girlfriend, but whether or not I did—it still wouldn’t be your business.”
“I have every right to know who my daughter is spending her time with when she’s not with me.”
“And so do I,” I reminded her, my eyes narrowing a little.
We were at a standstill, neither one of us backing down. Cheryl drew in a controlled breath. “Just tell me, before you make any introductions.”
“Fine,” I said amicably. Cheryl turned, about to start up the walkway, but before she could take a step, I continued. “In turn, I want you to let me be more involved.”
She pivoted slowly, her eyes narrowed. “I’m happy with the schedule as is,” she said.
