Page 11 of Daddy's Little Mama Bear

"Fine," She gritted through her teeth. Maybe some pain had decided to show up on her back at that moment. She knew it would happen. This was a recurring thing with her daughter.

"Macie!" Eleanor squealed and climbed off of her.

"Hi Ellie," Mac squatted down. "How's my beautiful princess doing?"

"Good!"

Janie saw her daughter wrap her arms, or attempted to wrap her arms, around Mac's neck. She pushed herself off of the ground, biting her lip as her back protested. Maybe she needed to start going to the gym. She didn't think this was normal.

"Sorry about that," Janie said. "Eleanor likes hugs and snuggles."

Mac wrapped his arms around Eleanor and picked her up. "She can hug me any time she wants. I love all the hugs I can get."

Janie's mouth fell open as she watched her daughter and Mac interact. Eleanor could be an extrovert but she didn't hug easily.

"Why the shocked look?" Mac asked. "Didn't expect me to want hugs all the time?"

"Sure," she whispered. Her daughter was clinging onto him.

Mac opened his mouth, but before he could, Janie stepped forward and grabbed her daughter.

"Well, it was nice seeing you. I've got to go make dinner," Janie said.

"Dinnie!" Eleanor yelled.

"I can make you guys dinner and bring it over," Mac suggested.

"No need," Janie replied. "Really. I don't want you to go through all the hassle for us. We've got it."

"I insist. I wouldn't offer it if I didn't want to do it. And it's not a hassle," Mac said. "Now, what would you like for dinner?"

"Nuggies!" Eleanor yelled.

Janie closed her eyes. They had nuggies several times last week because Janie didn't have the energy to cook. It was both of their favorite meals, so it didn't bother either one of them.

Mac laughed. "She takes after her mother."

Her mouth fell open. How did he know?

"I can see the nuggies bag sticking out of your grocery bags every time you go and get some," Mac said. "I'll make chicken nuggets and homemade mac and cheese."

"You really don't have to do that," Janie said.

She didn't want him to go out of his way just to feed them. They had plenty of money to feed themselves. She just wasn't the best at cooking. Which left them eating chicken nuggies and other pre-made things all the time.

"I insist on it. I really want to cook you guys dinner," Mac said. "You can either come over to my house or I'll bring it over to you. You pick."

Janie looked at him, not backing down. He didn't need to cook them dinner. He shouldn't cook them dinner.

"None of them," she replied. "I pick none of them. You shouldn't be doing this."

Mac folded his arms across his chest. "And why's that? Why shouldn't I be doing this?"

"Because I don't need your pity."

"Who said anything about pity?"

She gave him a look and held Eleanor closer to her. "I'm a single mom. I don't need pity. Sure, it can be hard but that doesn't mean I need to be a charity case," she said.

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