Page 35 of Property of Big Daddy

“Right.Jessika blows out a shaky breath.

“Anyway,” I start, changing the direction of the conversation.The last thing I want is to freak her out to where she never wants to return.Cecilia needs all the clients she can get.“Tell us how you two met.”

Cecilia gives me a ’what are you doing’ look, but I ignore her.There’s no need to ruin Jessika’s happiness and upset a loyal client because he was shitty to me.

Jessika seems to visibly relax as Cecilia moves her over to the dryer so the bleach on her hair can be processed.“He came into the flower shop about a month ago.His aunt had passed away, and he wanted to send something nice to his mother.He asked me for my number, and he called a few days later to ask me out.We’ve been seeing each other ever since then.”

“Well, that sounds promising,” I tell her.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur of gossip and giggles.By the time I make it to my apartment, I’m dead on my feet.I spent ninety percent of my day doing errands and assisting Cecilia in the salon, doing the sweeping and washing of color bowls, disinfecting brushes and combs.All the little stuff that frees up more time for her to work with clients.

Kidd and Lunatic are here grabbing the last of my stuff.I’ve been slowly packing the past few weeks and having them pick up stuff and taking it to Big Daddy’s or to my storage unit.

He offered to store the stuff I won’t need but want to keep in the garage, but he already does enough for me as it is.

“Hey, Kidd.Everything packed?”

“Everything but the last few drawers in the bedroom.Figured you’d want to pack all your personal stuff yourself.”His ears redden and I realize he means my underwear drawers and hope he didn’t see my vibrator.

“Thanks.You guys are lifesavers.”

Kidd grins at me before ducking out the door with yet another box.

Lunatic remains, leaning against my kitchen counter, looking tense.

“You okay?”I ask him, concerned about his unusual quietness.Normally, he has plenty to talk about.

He runs a hand through his light hair and sighs.“Just worried about Daisy, you know?”

“I get it.”I give him a sympathetic smile.“She’s in good hands.She’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.She gets out soon.”

I realize that it’s not Daisy’s mental health he’s worried about.He’s worried that she won’t want to date him when she gets settled in the real world again.

I’ve only gone to visit her about four times.The first time she didn’t want to see me.I think she was embarrassed about what she had done and hated that any of us saw her like that.The second time she only spoke a little, but I could tell with each time I went that she was improving.

We talk for a while longer about Daisy and how he’s going to visit her tomorrow.I finish packing up the last of my stuff.When Kidd comes back in, they lug the last of my stuff out to Big Daddy’s truck and then they’re off.

I take a look around my empty apartment.When I moved into this place, I was still recovering from all the shit I went through in Las Vegas.Then I dove head into a relationship with Thad, thinking he was the answer to my prayers.This time, though, I’m not entering into a relationship blind and hoping for the best.

I know exactly what I’m getting with Big Daddy.He’s honest about who he is and what he’s offering me.A committed relationship with no pretenses that we’re going to get married and sail off into the sunset and have loads of children.

He’s a man who is still bitter about the past.He has a daughter and responsibilities that require a lot of time and attention.He has little time to offer me more than what he’s giving me.

I’m good with how things are.Better than good.Outside of avoiding Lucie when she comes around, things have been almost perfect.

I close the door to my past and drive to Big Daddy’s, embracing the present.

I break down the last box and add it to the stack for one of the guys to take to the trash later.Big Daddy isn’t around, but Lucie is waiting for me when I return to the bedroom to finish organizing my stuff in the closet.

I don’t know why she cares so much that I’m dating her uncle.I get that I’m not her favorite person and likely never going to be.I wish that she could get over her ego long enough to realize that Big Daddy and I make each other happy.

“Can we please be civil with each other?”

She shoots an icy glare at me, with one hand on her hip, ready to rip into me.“This is a mistake.You can’t really think that this is going anywhere.”

“I understand that you have concerns about my intentions, but I promise that I love Clayton and only want to make him happy.Don’t you want that for him?”

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