Page 50 of The Flirt

"Well, then, Mr. Boss Man, if you’re going to stay, you’ll need an apron."

She went into the supply room and came back with a black one. "Why don't you put it around you."

"I'm fine," I said.

"You might get flour on this gorgeous suit."

Bella looked at me with pleading eyes. Ah, the things I did for my daughter.

"All right." I took the apron from Scarlett and tied it behind my back.

"You look great, Daddy."

"Come on, let's start," I said. "We don't have that much time."

Bella looked at Scarlett again.

"Yep, you're right. He is the fun police," Scarlett muttered.

I liked this cute conspiratorial thing they had going on. I wished Sarah would do fun things like this with Bella. Mostly, Sarah just took her shopping.

It is what it is, I guess.

Scarlett brought out a step stool from the supply room, and Bella climbed it right away. I'd actually intended to participate in the baking process. I knew how to make a pie, but I mostly made it from memory. Scarlett, being a pro, had a completely different approach.

My girl was taking in every step. After three steps, though, she turned to me. "Daddy, could you take notes? I’ll forget all this."

"I have an idea," Scarlett said. "Why don't you video us?"

"Yes," Bella exclaimed. "You're so smart, Scarlett."

“Sounds easier than taking notes,” I replied while pulling my phone out of my suit jacket.

I centered the camera on them, holding it high enough so my daughter could easily see what was going on when she watched it later.

Scarlett explained everything in layman's terms so anyone could understand what she was talking about.

"We're only learning how to make the crust today, okay?" she said, their hands full of flour and dough.

"What? No, we're making a pie." Bella’s voice was a bit whiny, and I was about to caution her when Scarlett responded.

"Yes, but each day I’ll teach you more steps, and by the end of the week, you’ll have all of them to make a pie."

"Okay," Bella said, sounding a bit suspicious of Scarlett’s plan.

I couldn't believe how easily they were getting along. Scarlett patiently showed my daughter exactly how to mix the water and the flour and how to roll out the crust. I knew I'd be the one who had to do this at home because Bella's tiny hands could never apply that pressure needed. But it wasn't for lack of trying, and my girl was a LeBlanc through and through. When she put her mind to it, she definitely gave her best.

"See, first step achieved," Scarlett exclaimed. "Mischief managed."

Bella looked at her with wide eyes. "Are you a Harry Potter fan?" Her voice was incredulous.

Scarlett smiled from ear to ear. "Yes. I love it. It's honestly my second personality."

“What’s ‘mischief managed’?” I asked.

“It’s what you have to say after you use the Marauder’s Map so the content hides itself and others can’t read it.”

None of those words made any sense to me.

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