Page 95 of After the Vows

By the time the ride ends a minute later, Natalia is smiling and laughing.

The ride stops and I help to unbuckle Natalia while Chloe jumps out and lifts her out of her spot.

“Awesome! Can we go again? I didn’t get sick.”

“Maybe later,” I say to put her off.

Chloe leads her to the exit and I trail behind them.

“What next?” Chloe asks when we’re back on the main thoroughfare.

Natalia doesn’t get a chance to answer before my phone rings. I dig my phone out of my pocket and scowl at the caller ID. Holly. Why the hell is she calling?

“I need to take this.”

Chloe shoos me away. “We’ll wait by the bench over there where we can see the mermaids.”

“What do you want?” I answer the phone when I’m certain I’m out of hearing range.

“Where are you?” Holly asks.

“What business is it of yours?”

“I’m at your house. I want to see my daughter.”

“You can’t show up and demand to see Natalia.”

“I’m not leaving until I see her.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” I hang up before she has a chance to gloat.

“What’s wrong?” Chloe asks when I return to them.

“There’s an emergency. I need to go.”

I hold my breath as I wait for her to yell at me or demand to know what’s important.

“I hope no one’s injured. Go. Do your sexy cop thing. I’ll ring Sophia to pick us up when we’re finished.”

She’s not bitching or complaining?

“Will you be okay on your own?”

She grins. “We’ll be better than okay. We don’t have to worry about you slowing us down.”

She’s serious. She’s not hurt or offended or mad. She’s perfectly okay with me leaving to handle an emergency. Although, if she knew what the emergency was, she might feel differently. I’ll get rid of Holly before she arrives back home.

I hug Natalia. “Be good and listen to Chloe.”

“I will, Dad.”

I kiss Chloe. “Thank you.”

She pushes me away. “Go do your serve and protect gig. I got this covered.”

I open my mouth to say I love you but manage to snap it shut before I blurt the words out. Wrong place. Wrong time.

“See you at home,” I holler before hurrying out of the park.

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