Page 26 of Moose

“I work fucking hard for my things. I started working with California Children’s Services. Saw they needed somebody to fight for them in court, so bucked up and went to law school. The women needed somebody too, and that’s what really got me. Bambi reached out through mutual friends, and now I’m here.”

Moose shook his head. “But what about hobbies? Things you love? You gotta give me more, princess.”

I laughed. “Fast cars and expensive shoes. I grew up around the car scene and always loved it. My Papa taught me how to work on them.”

“Impressive. What else did he teach you?”

I sighed. “How to fight and defend myself. He wasn’t the best dad, but he loved me as best he could.”

“And your mom?”

I turned to stare out the window. “She left when I was just a toddler.”

Moose gently touched my arm. “I’m sorry…”

I shrugged. “It’s fine. My dad raised me to be his princess as long as he could. He died a few days before I turned eighteen.”

“So, is that where you got the money for law school?”

“No. My grandmother. She, uh... left me quite a bit. But I only use it for law. So going to school and start my practice here. Everything else I earn. So all that money I spend on shoes? I earned it through hard work.”

Moose nodded. “Impressive, princess. I didn’t expect that from you.”

“Most people don’t.”

He smirked. “So you aren’t a spoiled rich girl, huh?”

I laughed and jokingly bumped my shoulder against his. “Not a princess anymore. I earn my way.”

Moose winked as he got up to check on the food. “Still gonna call you princess.”

Smiling, I watched as he opened the oven and carefully took out the food. I grabbed the bowl of salad and followed him to the kitchen table.

“Dinner, kiddos!”

Nova and Maddox came running down the stairs and flew into the dining room. They both smiled as they plopped into their chairs, scooping the lasagna onto their plates.

“Lily, what do you want to drink?”

I looked up to see Moose gazing at me.

“Uh... just water is fine.”

He nodded and filled three glasses full of water and sat them down. He turned back into the kitchen and grabbed a beer for himself before sitting down at the table.

I sat down across from Moose and dug in myself. We all ate and laughed, having a great time.

It was nice to not be alone and eat an actual meal for once. Sitting at the table, I realized I somewhat missed having a family.

For all these years, I was fine by myself, or so I thought. In reality, I had just pushed my feelings aside and became this cold, lonely woman.

Moving here was slowly making me realize I needed to change my life. Bambi and all the women had been trying hard to get me to come out, and I repeatedly turned them down.

Starting tonight, that was going to change. I would go out and have a good time. Let myself open up a bit, learn to trust again. I had an office here and needed to put my roots down.

Wehadfinisheddinnerand Moose was upstairs getting the kids ready to bed. I was cleaning up dinner when he came down and poured a glass of wine for me.

Blushing, I took the glass and leaned against the counter.

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