Chloe: I love you guys so much.
Madison: We love you too. Now go cuddle Mr. Snuggles and get some sleep. Tomorrow's a big day.
Chloe: Why is tomorrow a big day?
Holly: Because you get to see your Daddy again, obviously.
My Daddy.
The words make something warm and safe settle in my chest.
I curl up in bed with Mr. Snuggles, Mochi jumps onto my chest and is purring away, and smile.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel hopeful.
Have I really found it? Someone who sees me, all of me? Someone who wants to take care of me? Someone who makes me feel safe enough to be exactly who I am?
Have I found my Daddy?
Who would have thought it. The Tyler Reid. The sexy as hell soldier who I’ve been crushing on took me out and told me he’s a Daddy. He’s interested in me? Is this real life?
And tomorrow, I get to see him again.
I fall asleep smiling, dreaming of storm-gray eyes and gentle hands and a voice calling me a good girl.
CHAPTER 4
Wednesday morning, I'm at the shop by 4:30 a.m., which is ridiculous considering I don't open until six.
But I couldn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tyler. Felt his hands in my hair. Heard him calling me a good girl in that deep, commanding voice that made my insides melt.
I spent an hour last night rereading texts from the book club, getting advice from Madison about navigating a new Daddy/little dynamic, and another hour staring at my ceiling wondering if this is really happening.
Tyler Reid. Interested in me.
It feels like a dream.
I'm pulling fresh cinnamon rolls from the oven when my phone buzzes.
Tyler: Morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?
My heart does a little flip.
Chloe: Not really. Too excited.
Tyler: About what?
Chloe: Seeing you today.
Tyler: I couldn't sleep either. Kept thinking about you.
Chloe: Yeah?
Tyler: Yeah. About that kiss and how sweet you tasted. How perfect you fit into my arms…
Heat floods through me. Is he allowed to say things like that? To make me feel like this at 4:45 in the morning?
