Page 55 of Spike

She walked awayand I narrowed my eyes at Spike. “I can’t afford my own place yet, Spike. Icertainly can’t afford somewhere in the Pearl.”

“You can, baby.Swear to god. I’ll explain later.”

I rolled my eyesbut decided not to push him on it. It was all a pipe dream anyway and he’d seethat sooner than later. Tonight I wanted to enjoy myself, and arguing with aman who could outwit me was not on the agenda.

He gave me a Cheshiregrin, obviously thinking he’d won the argument, but I smiled right back knowinghe was dead wrong.

** *

About an hourlater, I was sitting on one of the sofas by the fire when the cutest littlegirl toddled up to me and hauled herself onto the couch beside me. She musthave been about four or five and she had a head full of blonde curls and giantblue eyes. “Hi.”

I smiled. “Hi,sweetie. What’s your name?”

“Chawie.”

“Hi, Charlie, I’mTrixie.”

She patted the armof the couch and studied me before sitting up on her knees. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two. Howold are you?”

“Five.”

I grinned. “Wow.You’re a big girl now.”

She bobbed herhead up and down. “Who’s your old man?”

“My old man?”

“Me,” Spike said,sitting between us.

She frowned. “No,you’re not.”

“Yeah, baby, Iam,” he insisted.

Her eyes filledwith tears and she shook her head. “No. You. Aren’t. You’re mine.”

“Baby girl, I’mway too old for you.”

“But…” Her bottomlip quivered as giant tears slid down her cheeks.

A giant,Viking-looking man stalked over to us and demanded, “Why the hell is mydaughter crying?”

She reached herarms up and squeaked, “Daddy?”

He picked her upand held her close. “What happened, baby?”

“Spike ismyold man, not hers.” She pointed to me when she said, ‘hers,’ before burying herhead in her dad’s neck. “I’m his old wady.”

“Sweet Pea, thisis Trixie,” Spike said as he stood, holding his hands out.

“Hi,” I said,giving him an awkward wave.

“Hey, sweetheart.Nice to meet you.” Sweet Pea shifted Charlie and the second she saw Spike’sopen arms, she pitched herself toward him.

“I didn’t mean tomake you cry, baby,” Spike said, holding her close. “But I’m gonna marryTrixie, honey, so she’s always gonna be my old lady. I promise you’ll have yourown old man someday who’ll be better than me.”

“No.” Charliewrapped her arms around his neck and shook her head. “Mine.”

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