Page 90 of Flawless

“I’m proud of you, baby,” he says.

And I know that he is.

23 – ZENON / DANICA

One week has passed since Jade showed up unannounced and dropped her news on Danica.

One week since my beautiful daughter left for a science camp designed for students who are interested in the medical field.

One week has passed since I had the startling realization that I want this woman for my wife. I won’t tell her that, at least not yet, because I know that she still isn’t ready.

There are so many issues that Danica has to address before she can properly move forward into a long-term relationship with me.

Part of that is she has to learn to forgive herself, and I think that she still struggles with that.

Her parents are coming for dinner tonight, and she’s so nervous about it all. She wasn’t sure that her father was coming at first, but when her mother called back to confirm that he would, in fact, be here, she began pacing, then cleaning, then working out, and then pacing again.

Turning onto my side, I caress her hip.

“Dani,” I say softly.

When she doesn’t respond, I shake her a bit.

“Dani.”

“Hmm...”

“Wake up, baby. Your parents will be here in an hour.”

She stretches, yawns, and then flips over to bury her face into my chest.

“Wanna sleep a little longer.”

Glancing at the clock over her shoulder, I say, “Baby, we took a two-hour nap. You’re not going to be able to sleep tonight if we don’t get up now. Besides, it’s six.”

“Okay,” she grumbles, rubbing her eyes and then looking at me.

“I love you,” I say in a low voice.

A smile parts her lips and brightens her eyes. “I love you, too, Z.”

“Summer’s almost over. Have you made up your mind about the show or not?” I ask.

Smiling, she says, “I have. I’m thankful that Jade gave me more time, too.”

“What’s your final answer?"

“I’m going to do it.”

“Good,” I say, kissing her lips.

“And you? How’s the implementation of the league coming along?”

“I spoke with the parks and rec center in Charleston, and I finished a discussion with the director this morning. He sent me a contract to review so that we can use one of their venues for the Little League. However, I’ve been running the numbers—”

“I thought you’d already done that and finalized the budget.”

“I did.”

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