Page 40 of Desire

“’Cause I not have a mommy and her like a mommy.”

Her words hit me in my gut. Azaria was extremely smart for her age and understood things most soon-to-be four-year-olds didn’t. About a month after she started preschool, she asked me if she could have a mommy. I didn’t know how to answer her then, so I changed the subject, and she hadn’t brought it up again.

“You think she’s like a mommy?” She nodded. “Why? What does she do that you think mommies do?”

“Her hug me and tell me I smart and pretty.”

“She’s right. You are smart and pretty. What else does she do?”

“Her help me get ready for bed and make my food.”

“That’s really nice of her. Does it make you happy when she does those things for you?”

“Yes,” she replied with a nod. “And her take me to school and bring me home.”

“Hey, you don’t miss Daddy taking you to school?”

“Miss Chammies say I can hear Gacie’s Corner.”

“Oh, she lets you listen to Gracie, so you don’t like riding with Daddy anymore?”

She giggled and put her little arms around my body as much as she could, hugging me. “Daddy, I love you.”

“Good, because Daddy loves you.”

I already appreciated Desire’s presence in our lives more than I could express. I'd been busy since I announced I would run for the mayoral seat again. The first month of our marriage was probably nothing like she’d imagined. Based on our conversation this morning, my absence was felt, and I needed to make sure she didn’t start to regret taking a chance with me.

“You two ready to go?” Desire asked.

“Let’s roll.”

As we enjoyed dinner at a local Italian restaurant, Azaria entertained us. We were lucky enough to be seated in the back corner and had minimal interruptions by people trying to talk to Aziel. The few who’d spotted him and had come over to speak were polite and didn’t take up too much time.

“Can I have ice cream now, Miss Chammies?”

“Yes, you can, sweetheart. What kind do you want?”

“Shawberry,” she cheered and clapped her hands.

“Baby, I need to take this phone call. I’ll be right back,” Aziel said before placing his phone to his ear and leaving the table.

I ordered Azaria's ice cream when the waitress returned to check on us. Unfortunately, they didn’t have strawberry ice cream, so I ordered vanilla with a strawberry topping and hoped she liked it. She continued to entertain me as we waited for the dessert and her father to return.

“Desire?” a deep male voice said.

I turned and looked up toward the voice, frowning when I saw it was André, the man who’d stood me up three times in as many weeks.

“How can I help you?” I asked, not hiding my annoyance.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” he asked, with just as much attitude as I gave him.

“Not that I’m aware of. I’m trying to enjoy dinner with?—”

“Can we help you?” Aziel asked from behind him.

André turned around to face my husband.

“I was just asking Desire if there was something she needed to tell me.”

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