Page 96 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

Wren yipped in panic, scrambling to get off me. She ended up in a heap, her arms and legs askew, and there was no time to right herself before Zoey stepped into the room.

My chuckle was cut off when Wren’s wide stare looked at me and then my crotch.Shit!There was no way I wanted my daughter to see this. I grabbed the extra pillow and threw it over my lap. In that moment, I understood why couples had less sex as parents.

“What are you two doing?” Zoey’s face scrunched up.

“Nothing.” When Zoey’s expression didn’t change, Wren revised her answer. “Stretching?”

My daughter shrugged. “Are you driving into school with us today?” she asked Wren.

“Kiddo, Wren and I discussed this last night, and we were thinking, with everything that happened yesterday, we could stay home and call out of school.” We debated back and forth about what to do about today and both of us had come to the conclusion that Zoey needed us. My objections to being in a relationship didn’t even make sense at this point. The way Wren put my daughter before anything else was more than I could have asked for, especially since we knew someone else might put two and two together and realize the connection to both of their absences.

“And today, your Uncle Grayson has—”

“A surprise for Auntie Ruby. He told me.” A smug look settled on her face. “So we can go to that?”

“We can. Now where’s this amazing breakfast you promised me?” Wren got out of bed and wrapped her arm around Zoey.

A wide smile split my face. Seeing them together like this was everything. My chest expanded as I drew in a deep breath and when I released it, every bit of tension stored in my body left with that puff of air. I paused to watch this moment, etching it into my memories, wanting to remember this feeling forever

“Daddy, get out of bed. Breakfast is ready.” Zoey now stood in the doorway with her hand in Wren’s. The other one motioned for me to get up and follow them.

“I uh…” I still needed more time for my hard-as-a-rock dick to go down. The tender moment in front of me had helped deflate it a bit, but it would be noticeable if I stood.

Wren snorted with laughter, realizing my dilemma when I covered my crotch with both hands. “I think your dad will catch up to us when he can.”

Zoey gave us a ‘parents are weird’ look and shrugged.

Eventually, I followed them into the kitchen. When I turned the corner, my heart stopped for a second before it gave a few erratic thumps. Wren was bent over examining the food as Zoey pointed out the various condiments she included on a separate dipping plate. I didn’t know I needed this quiet, everyday moment until now. This overwhelming joy at seeing them together would never get old.

“Sit at the counter,” Zoey instructed, then served us our plate of mini-pancakes and another with syrup, strawberry jelly, peanut butter, and whipped cream.

We ate side by side and had almost finished when Zoey started talking. “Daddy, I might want to try that group you suggested.”

My breath whooshed out of my lungs. The grief support group. I tried to keep it casual. “Okay, yeah.”

She focused her attention on her plate. “Yeah.”

“I think it’s an excellent idea, Zo. I’ll call the counselor and tell her you’re ready to try out the group sessions too.” We’d already made an appointment for Zoey to meet with the counselor one on one. Having her choose to talk with other kids going through the same thing she had was just as big of a breakthrough.

She nodded and toyed with the remaining food on her plate. “Do you think the other kids might have ideas on what to say to people like Mrs. London?”

Ah, so this is what prompted the discussion. “I think the other kids could help.”

“She was wrong, you know. Mommy would’ve been proud of me for sticking up for my, uh, Ms Winter.” I noticed her hesitation and figured it wouldn’t be long before she called Wren by her first name instead of my teacher or Ms. Winter.

“She was one hundred percent wrong, kiddo, and was a total asshole.”

Zoey giggled at my use of profanity.

“You know you—” I started.

She rolled her eyes. “Can’t say those words until I’m older because they’re adult words. Yeah, I know.”

“And even though some people might make us incredibly mad we can’t resort to violence.”

Zoey frowned. “What if they deserve it?”

I sighed. This part sucked. It had taken every ounce of control in me not to strike out at Virginia London. “Even if they deserve it. We don’t bring ourselves down to their level. Use your words first.”

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