Avery giggles. “My schedule’s open. How ’bout yours?”
Dad hums, affection dripping from the simple sound. “For you? I’ve got all the time in the world. How about I pick you up tomorrow afternoon? We can drive around and sing and get ice cream.”
“Okay, Pops,” Avery says, yawning.
“All right, say good night to Pops and Mimi.”
“Night, Pops. Night, Mimi. I love you.”The second the call ends, she asks, “What about Uncle James?” Her eyes are getting heavy and she’s burrowed deeper into me, minutes from drifting off.
“We’ll call him and Aunt Chloe tomorrow night. We’ll do it a little earlier so you aren’t so tired.”
She snuggles one of her many stuffed animals, burying her face in its plushness. “Okay, Daddy.”
With gentle movements, I help her climb under the covers. Then I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I love you.”
“Wait.” Her eyes fly open. “What about Addie?”
I frown. “What about Addie?”
She nods toward the door. I follow her line of sight, and sure enough, Adeline’s walking past.
My little girl sits up. “Can I say good night to Addie?”
“Why don’t we just go to bed?”
Adeline is probably still pissed at me, and I don’t want her to inadvertently take her anger out on my little girl.
“Addie,” Avery yells. “Can you come say good night to me?”
We’re met with silence, but a heartbeat later, Adeline shuffles back toward the door. She’s in a pair of white shorts with light blue lines and a loose light blue T-shirt that matches. “Me?”
Avery nods.
My new boss pads into the room, pausing when she reaches the edge of the bed. I press another kiss to Avery’s head and then shift out of the way so she can say good night.
“Good night, Avey girl,” she says softly, her eyes full of affection as she looks at my daughter.
“Good night. I love you.” With a smile on her face, Avery closes her eyes.
Sighing, Adeline brushes her fingers through Avery’s silky blond hair. “Love you too, Avey girl.”
My chest squeezes tight, and as I turn away, my eyes heat.
“Make sure you kick some hockey boy butt tomorrow,” Avery mumbles.
Adeline’s responding laugh is light. “I’ll try.”
“But go easy on my dad.” Another yawn. “He’s not as tough as he looks.”
That comment has me turning back, my lips turned down.
Adeline peers at me, her big brown eyes seeing far more than they should.
Avery’s right. When it comes to Adeline, I’m not nearly as strong as I should be.
SEVEN
JJ
