Page 60 of Endless Southern Love

“For what?” She wraps her arms around my waist.

“For being extraordinary and accepting Ana.”

“Like I said before, I regret not giving the situation a chance. Things could have been a lot different for us.”

While I agree with her, telling her as such doesn’t do any of us any good. “It’s all good now. Come on, I’m starved now that you mentioned pizza.”

We go over to her car and get the four large pizzas they bought, along with a bag of chips, soda, and candy. I follow Lemon up the stairs and into the apartment to find Landon and Jed sitting on the sofa.

“Did you get the bed together?”

Jed sighs. “Yep, and remind me to never buy one.”

I chuckle. “Believe me, I used to say the same shit until Goldie came along. Now, I buy whatever she wants.”

“Except a dog,” she comes out of her room with her hands on her hips. “Daddy won’t buy me a dog.”

“I work long hours.”

“Mommy doesn’t,” she says. “And the dog could go to school with me.” Goldie looks at Lemon who shakes her head.

“Sorry, kiddo. No pets allowed.”

“That’s. Not. Fair!”

“Room,” Ana says as she points in that direction.

Goldie opens her mouth to say something and then thinks twice.

“Damn,” Jed says. “She listens so well. If that had been me, I would’ve sassed right back.”

“Same,” Lemon says. “Maybe you need to come work at the school,” she says to Ana. “I could definitely use you in the discipline office.”

“Yeah, I could totally do that.”

“Ana, check with Goldie first. She may not want you there,” I say. She already has Lemon and having her mom there might be too much for her. I know some kids like it when their parents volunteer and for all I know Goldie might be okay with it. But then again, by the time I was in fifth grade I didn’t want my mom anywhere near the school.

We chow down on the pizza and the guys finish off a bag of chips. Goldie returns and apologizes for her outburst but I notice she’s very clingy to her mom. I suggest Ana take her back to my place for a nap, which doesn’t please Goldie.

“I’ll take you over,” Lemon says to Ana. “And then I’ll come back and help you,” she says to me.

“Actually, why don’t you take Goldie, and I’ll stay,” Ana says. “This is my mess, and you guys shouldn’t have to take care of it.”

“I don’t mind if Goldie doesn’t,” Lemon says.

Ana crouches down and looks at our daughter. Even without seeing her face, I know she’s crabby. “Do you want to go back to Daddy’s with Lemon?”

The other thing we’ve had to contend with is how Goldie refers to Lemon at school. During school, we want her to call her Ms. Walsh so other kids don’t get the idea that it’s okay to call her by her first name. At home, Goldie can call her Lemon.

Goldie nods, gives me and her mom a hug, and then leaves with Lemon. I walk them out and once Goldie is situated in the car, I give Lemon a kiss. “We should be done by dinner.”

“How about I put some steaks on the grill?”

“Perfect. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

As I’m walking back toward the stairs, Lemon yells out the window. “Don’t take your shirt off. I really don’t want to have to fight Ana.”

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