help out since it’ll be a slow night.”
“I don’t need you fixing my problems for me,” I argued. And then, because today had gone so
ridiculously sideways, I laughed, thinking back to the last time I’d had to call out. “I’m sorry, that
wasn’t fair. I know you’re only trying to help. I’m just pissed off right now. Pissed at Joey for not
coming in, pissed at Lisa for expecting me to miss work and then for dumping Willow on you when
she’s not your responsibility.”
“But you don’t need to be upset about that,” he explained calmly. “I offered to watch Willow
because even though I know you’re not ready to hear it yet, I will always be there for her because
she’s a part of you. I agree that it’s too soon for her to understand how much I love you, but she can
spend time with me only knowing I’m a friend of her dad’s. Maybe this will be good. It gives her a
chance to get to know me without being confused by everything else.”
“I don’t want to lie to her.”
“And you’re not. You’re simply not explaining things yet that won’t make a bit of difference to a
child.” I thumped the back of my head against the wall behind me. I knew he was right. He was the
logical one out of the two of us, and I was the one who always made things more complicated in my
head. “What I want you to do is start finding someone to come into work for you. I’m going to get my
little lady another cup of the electrolyte drink I found in the fridge, change her into some comfy
clothes, and we’ll come down there.”
His little lady. God, hearing him call her that melted my heart. I couldn’t even stay pissed at my ex
or the universe when he was so sweet. Yeah, maybe I didn’t have to keep the parts of my life tucked
neatly away in different boxes.
“I know you had stuff to do at your place, too. Why don’t you still grab her backpack and a change
of clothes in case she needs them. Once you’re here, it’ll be closer to have her at your apartment,” I
suggested, not even thinking about the fact he might not be ready for that. God, it felt like Lisa had set
a field of landmines for us to navigate without any time to prepare. “I mean, if that’s okay with you, of
course. Otherwise, we’ll figure something out.”
“That sounds like a perfect plan.” I could practically hear the smile in Daddy’s voice, and I
sagged back. That had been exactly what I’d needed when I first decided to call him before I realized
that he’d been trying to get through to me. “We’ll figure this out, okay? You’re not alone anymore.”
“I know,” I sighed. “And in case I forget to say it later, thank you. You’re the best Daddy ever.”
