I glance over, spot another wince—probably because Finn can anticipate what Chloe’s going to say next.
“Our house is super-duper big.” She beams at me. “We can give a kitty a home.”
I feel myself melt.
Know that I’m so going to lose this argument. Still, I remind her, “Baby, I travel a lot. I’m not sure I can take care of a kitten.”
“But I’m here.Icould take care of one.”
I lean back in my chair. “Yeah?”
“Yup.”
“That’s a big responsibility.”
“I’m responsible.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Chloe crosses her arms, forehead furrowing. “Iam. I brush my teeth and I always clean up when Ms. Mika asks and I can make my own snacks.” A pause as she clearly considers her next mode of attack. “And Finn showed me how to make chocolate chip cookies.”
I bite my lip. “I know,” I say. “You’re a big girl.”
“Plus, Finn could help.”
Finn’s brows go up, but she’s fighting a smile too.
“Andyoucould help too.”
I rub my hand over my mouth. “Oh, yeah? This sounds like a whole lot of helping.”
“But kittens are small,” Chloe says, changing tactics, “so they don’t really needthatmuch help.”
I glance at Finn again.
Her hazel eyes are bright with laughter she’s clearly trying not to let out.
“Don’t look at me,” she teases softly. “I’m neutral in this debate.”
I snort. “Sure, you are.”
She laughs softly and I freeze, realize that I really like hearing it.
Then I tuck that away and look back down at my daughter. “Why do you want a kitten, baby?”
She frowns like that should be obvious. “Because they’re cute.”
“That’s true.”
“And soft.”
Humor bubbles up in my chest. “Also true.”
“And they need homes.” Chloe expression is so earnest my heart squeezes. “Please, Daddy?”
Yup.Solosing this argument.
I look around the kitchen.
