Her shoulders fall. “Why?”
“Because this is not where your clothes go. Now clean up so we can get going.”
“Ughhh…” Her whine practically echoes off of the walls, but I wait to leave until I see her actually picking her clothes up, hurrying back to my room to finish getting ready.
Me:Pajamas have been found, which means we’re back on schedule.
Vienna:Shit, okay. I’m making a decision.
Laughing, I put my phone back in my pocket and grab the gel from the counter to style my hair.
Before we left the winery the other night, I asked my sister if she and Fletcher would be willing to watch Ellis this weekend sometime so I could take Vienna out. Joanne had already made plans with her family to celebrate her niece’s birthday, so I knew she wouldn’t be here to help. Lucky for me, Laney was more than eager to help me out. So, once I walk next door and “pick up” my date, we’re headed to my sister’s house to drop off Ellis, and then we have reservations at a steakhouse in Asheville that I have a feeling Vienna will love.
“I’m done, Daddy,” Ellis announces when she reappears in my bathroom.
I finish combing the last few pieces of my hair into place, wash my hands, and verify that her mess has been cleaned up for myself.
“You did a good job, sweetie,” I say as I grab her bag from her bed and make my way out to the main part of the house. “Did you put everything back where it goes?”
“No, I just shoved everything inside drawers until it fit.”
I sigh. “Well, at least you’re honest. We can fix it later.”
Ellis jumps up and down beside me. “Is it time to pick up Ms. Vienna?” she asks, mixing up the two names she is now allowed to call the woman we’re both enamored with.
“Yes.”
She runs over to the basket of rocks and picks up the one that she painted like a rainbow for her last night. “Okay, I’ve got my rock.”
I grab the bouquet of red roses from the counter as well. “And I’ve got the flowers.”
Ellis races to the door now. “Let’s go, Daddy! You don’t want to be late.”
Laughing, I lock the door behind us, drop off Ellis’s things in my truck, and lead my daughter across the yard into Vienna’s, trying to keep up with her. Ellis knocks on the door while I’m still in the driveway. But luckily, Vienna doesn’t answer until I catch up to my daughter.
And when she opens the door, my tongue nearly falls to the floor.
Fuck, this woman takes my breath away.
Standing in front of me, her blonde hair down in soft waves and her face fresh with the most natural amount of makeup, I can’t stop staring at her. But then my eyes trail down her body, taking in her outfit.
She’s wearing an off-the-shoulder black top that shows off just a sliver of her cleavage, and a long floral skirt with black high-heeled boots. The outfit is stunning on her figure, and perfect for wherewe’re going—classy, yet still sexy, and hinting at everything I know is underneath those clothes.
Keeping my promise to myself is going to be far more difficult tonight than I thought.
“I don’t know what other outfits you were contemplating, but I one hundred percent approve of this one.”
Her cheeks turn pink as she tucks a strand of her hair behind her ears. “Thank you.”
“I brought you a rock, Ms. Vienna.” Ellis holds out the rock to her. “It’s a rainbow.”
“I see that.” Vienna smooths her thumb over the stone. “You did a beautiful job. I love it.”
Ellis clasps her hands in front of her, twisting from side to side. “And Daddy brought you flowers.”
I hold the bouquet out to her, and she leans forward to smell them before taking them from my hands. “Thank you. These are gorgeous.”
“Not as gorgeous as you, Vienna.” I step toward her and press a kiss to her cheek. “You took my breath away just now.”
