Page 102 of Hey, Daddy

It also went over a hundred and fifty, had a racing package, and likely would get her into trouble.

It was a good thing to have my job back, because I felt like I might need it to be able to get her out of jail.

“Sorry.” She looked at me sheepishly. “That was a special circumstance.”

I laughed.

She’d been really excited about her car to the point where she wasn’t really listening to anything I said.

I didn’t blame her.

Getting a new car was pretty cool.

“Do you want a ride to your mom’s, or are you driving yourself?” I asked my girl.

“Driving myself, duh.” She rolled her eyes.

With the threat of the senator now gone, and the assurance that the creep motherfucker wasn’t going to be there—which I would be checking on my way to work—Desi got to drive herself again.

Which she was very excited about.

Having your car taken away when you were sixteen was ‘life altering’ according to her.

I took a long look at my daughter, then turned to look back at Nastya.

“Y’all are wearing the same clothes,” I said.

“We’re trying them out. They’re actually from two different companies. Mine is name brand, and hers are knock-offs,” Desi said. “Can you tell?”

“No.” I looked at the black leggings, black long-sleeved shirt, and white puffer vest. “They look exactly alike. And feel the same, too.”

I said this as I ran my hand over the sleeve of both shirts.

“Pretty sure that this company just buys from a wholesaler, slaps a tag on it, and then sells it for three times as much,” Nastya explained. “I’m going to go see my brother since you’re leaving. He’s heading out tomorrow back to wherever he’s going.”

“You don’t know where he’s stationed?” I chuckled.

“No.” She blushed. “I probably should, but he’s been at five different bases in just as many years. It’s hard to keep up with them all.”

She pulled on a white hat I hadn’t seen until now.

Desi did the same and said, “I’m ready.”

I glanced between my two girls, then pulled out my phone and said, “Squeeze together tighter. I want a picture.”

They squeezed together and both of them beamed.

Yeah, that one was definitely gonna be my next phone background.

“Come on, squirt. Let’s go.”

Desi waved goodbye to Nastya and hurried out the door.

I waited until I heard the door close before I leaned in and said, “Love you, Mama.”

She melted. “Let me know how the ex-wife’s goes, and then how work goes. I’ll let you know where I am once you’re done.”

I pulled her into my body, nuzzled her neck with my nose, then pulled away. “I noticed you didn’t say I love you back.”

---