Page 93 of After the Vows

She points to a teacup ride but instead of teacups, there are clamshells and sea urchins.

“Triton’s Twister. Good choice.” Chloe takes her hand and they skip toward the ride and get in line.

“What about me?” I ask.

“You can hold my purse,” Chloe says.

“You’re not carrying a purse.”

“I want a drink, Daddy. A coke!”

“You’re not having a coke. You can have a lemonade.”

Chloe bats her eyelashes at me. “Am I allowed to have a coke?”

I shake my head. “I’ll get the drinks. You enjoy your ride.”

The attendant opens the gate and kids rush to find a clamshell or sea urchin. Chloe looks around before entering through the exit and securing a clamshell. I’d say she’s a bad influence on my daughter but Natalia is smiling and laughing.

Lights flash and the songUnder the Seaplays as the clamshells and sea urchins start to spin around. The kids scream in excitement but loudest of them all is Chloe. Her arm holds Natalia close to her as they both scream in delight.

Damn, I love that woman.

The revelation doesn’t surprise me. I think I’ve been in love with Chloe since she whisked Natalia away for a day of pampering when she got her first period. The way she loves my daughter is a sight to behold.

She’s fiercely protective. I wish I could have witnessed her sticking up for Natalia when she got in trouble for punching another kid. I bet she was magnificent. After how Holly treated her own flesh and blood, finding Chloe is a miracle.

But I don’t love Chloe merely because she loves my daughter. I’d love her even if Natalia wasn’t in the picture. She’ssmart and funny and has more layers to her than an onion. I’ve enjoyed peeling those layers away these past weeks. Discovering things about Chloe she keeps secret from the world.

And she’s sexy as hell. Sex with Chloe is the best I’ve ever had. The way she trusts me in the bedroom is so fucking arousing, it’s addicting.

Chloe isn’t ready for words of love from me. Getting her to agree to take a chance on me was hard enough. But I can be patient. I’m not going anywhere.

The ride ends and Chloe helps a wobbly Natalia out of the clam shell and to the exit. I wave them over to where I’m standing.

“I want to go on the rollercoaster next!”

Chloe giggles. “You’re still dizzy fromTriton’s Twister.”

“I thought you wanted a drink,” I say before Natalia can argue with Chloe and steer the two of them toward a refreshment stand.

“Now, can I go on the rollercoaster?” Natalia asks once we have our drinks.

“You need to finish your drink first.”

“I can finish the drink in line.”

“She has a point. The line for theSea Serpent Coasteris thirty minutes now.” Chloe waves her phone at me.

“You downloaded the app forMermaid Mystical Gardens?”

She rolls her eyes. “No, silly. I already had it.”

“But this amusement park is for children.”

She giggles. “You’re cute. Naïve. But cute.”

“Do I get to at least ride the rollercoaster with you?” I ask Natalia as we begin to walk toward the coaster.

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