Most of the day, Luke and I had walked along separated by Isla. When she reached for my hand, I looked over to him trying to take his lead. Part of me wanted to kill him. Springing this on me hadn’t given me any time to figure out what I could and couldn’t do. What I should and shouldn’t do. But he was so relaxed about the whole thing, he just went with the flow, letting Isla lead the way. Offering me a casual shrug and a half-smile, Isla tangled her fingers with mine before reciting everything she knew about hippos.
“Well, ladies, I don't know about you, but I’m tired. Are you ready to go home?” Luke asked as he wiped his fingers on the napkin and tossed it in the trash.
“Yep. Let’s do it,” I agreed, picking up the backpack and getting to my feet.
“Do we have to, Dad?” Isla whined, putting on her best pout.
“Yes. You’ve had a big day and you have school tomorrow,” he reminded her, ignoring her groans.
After a quick check that we had everything, we headed back to the car, ready to head home. When Luke had gone to buckle Isla in, she’d stopped him and asked if I could do it instead. Seemingly not fussed at all, Luke stepped back giving me room so I could get her all settled.
We weren’t even out of the parking lot when Luke reached across the console and took my hand in his. I shot him a questioning look, but he simply grinned and kept his focus on the road. We’d been so careful walking around today to not hold hands or give Isla the wrong idea. There were moments when we slipped, when Luke’s arm wound around my shoulders as we posed for photos, I felt a little bit naughty like we were sneaking around and doing something we shouldn’t. I was kind of turned on by it if I was being honest.
“Dad?” A small voice piped up from the backseat.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Is Charlotte your girlfriend?”
I tried to untangle my fingers and pull back, but Luke wasn’t having it. Instead, he tightened his grip.
“Would that be okay if she was?” Luke asked, glancing across at me before watching his daughter in the rearview mirror.
I turned in my seat to watch Isla’s reaction. She was busy playing with her doll’s hair, seemingly completely unruffled by her question, meanwhile I was over here feeling like I was sinking in quicksand.
“I like Charlotte. I think she should be your girlfriend,” Isla announced before turning her attention back to her doll and their conversation about the tea party they were late for.
“I think so too,” Luke agreed quickly, shooting a wink in my direction leaving me sitting there with my mouth gaping. While I’d been freaking out, Luke and Isla seemed to be just going with the flow, something I was terrible at.
While I sat there trying to wrap my head around my new label, Isla sang along to the radio and Luke drove in silence. I’d been so caught up in my own head, I hadn’t even noticed where we were heading so when Luke turned into an underground car park, I was a bit shocked.
“Where are we?”
“At home silly.” Isla giggled.
Maneuvering the SUV into the parking space, Luke killed the ignition before turning back to me. “Come upstairs and have dinner with us?” he asked, with hope written all over his face.
“Please, Charlotte? Dad promised we could have grilled cheese,” Isla added the extra incentive.
Looking over at Isla, I replied, “How could I turn that offer down?”
“Come on. I want to show you my room!”
I unbuckled my belt and went to get out when Luke reached for my wrist, halting me. “So do I,” he purred, and I felt his words everywhere and silenced any smart-ass comeback I had.
After a tour of Isla’s room, a tea party with her favorite toys, and a grilled cheese sandwich, we were sitting on the couch, a movie playing and a moment of peace having fallen across the room.
Isla was curled up between us, a blanket pulled up to her chin as she leaned against me. Luke sat on the other side of her, cataloging our every move. I had no idea if I was overstepping or what he was expecting. I was just following Isla’s lead, but I had no idea if that was the right thing to do, but until I had a chance to talk to Luke about it, it was what it was.
“Do you like Moana?” Isla asked sleepily as she lazed against me.
“I like the big guy with all the tattoos,” I told her.
“Maui?”
“Is he the one with the hook?”
“Yep.”
