Page 72 of Defending her Heart

THERE WAS NO TIME FORme to process my feelings for Kendall. My mom returned with two shopping bags full of toppings, and I helped my father start the ice cream maker. Then Buck, Jackson, and Taylor arrived bearing gifts that were bigger than Paisley.

Apparently Riley met Kendall and Paisley at Target this morning and came over to help prep food, then went back home to wait for Walker. Rowan came by for cake and ice cream but had to leave to work a double.

Twenty-four hours ago, these people had never met Paisley, and today they gave up their free time to celebrate her sixth birthday. They sat around the table and made crafts—customized crowns that everyone wore during dinner and dessert.

They played pin the crown on the ballerina and painted mini unicorns, a gift from Jackson and Taylor for the entire party. We cleared a space for the piñata, which the adults had to play blindfolded, on our knees, and with one hand behind our backs.

I may have mentioned to Kendall that the next time I have her naked, she’ll be blindfolded, on her knees, and both hands tied behind her back. I then drizzled an extra heaping of hot fudge on her sundae. The way she choked on her ice cream and the pink hue of her cheeks made me want to kick everyone out so I could have my way with her.

The sun set an hour ago, and I come back inside from walking my parents to their car, looking for Kendall. She’s in the kitchen finishing the dishes, even though I told her a hundred times I’d clean up. Buck and Paisley are curled up like best buds on a ridiculously enormous purple unicorn bean bag chair watching the end of a Disney movie. The fact that it can hold Miles Buckingham is mind boggling. I haven’t a fucking clue how he found it between the time we left Walker’s last night, practice this morning, and the party this afternoon.

Who would have thought the man slut with the dirty mouth would be a marshmallow around a six year-old?

Six years. I can’t believe my little girl is getting so old. Not gonna lie, I choked up something fierce on her first day of kindergarten. It sucked not being in town on her first day. It didn’t seem to faze her, but it broke my heart not being there for the milestone.

Buck stretches his giant limbs. “I like to be the one to shut the party down, but I’m afraid I’m gonna have to peace out. I don’t see Kendall Cakes leaving anytime soon.”

He’s dropped subtle and not-so-subtle hints all evening about me hooking up with Kendall. I’ve neither denied nor admitted it, which is telling on its own.

“Don’t leave yet, Buckie.” She climbs on top of him and hugs his neck.

“We have an early flight, Sweet Pea. You need to let him up.”

“What can I say?” Buck stands, Paisley still draped around him. “The ladies love me.”

“Will you come back and play with me again?”

“Anytime, Paisley Pickles.” He kisses her forehead and fixes her crown.

“Say thank you for your presents,” I tell her.

“Thank you for my presents.” She yawns and perks up when Kendall comes into the room. “Can you stay longer, Miss Kendall?”

“Am I so easily replaced?” Buck gasps. He tickles Paisley’s sides before setting her down. “Happy birthday, Pickles. Nice party, Kendall.” He crosses the room and hugs her, giving me a crooked smile over her head.

“Thank you for coming, Miles. The bean bag chair was a big hit.”

“You know what else is big?”

“Out.” I open the front door and point into the darkness.

Buck laughs as he gathers his keys and phone and leaves.

“Bath and bed, birthday girl.”

“Can I take a shower? Baths are for babies.”

I hide my chuckle. Paisley looks like she’s going to keel over any second. The pretty hairstyle Kendall worked so hard on is loose and lopsided. There are ice cream and frosting stains onher dress—which almost resulted in a meltdown until Rowan said she had a secret recipe to get out stains.

No doubt she’ll be out like a light the second her head touches her pillow. Which is perfect because I plan on making Kendall scream tonight beforeherhead touches a pillow.

“Do you need help starting the shower?”

Paisley rolls her eyes and punches her fists on her hips. “I’m not a baby, Daddy.”

“No. No you’re not.”

“Bye, Miss Kendall.”

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