Page 23 of Detention with Daddies

It’s certainly my favorite identity.

“Let’s go get ice cream.”

Both of my girls smile at the suggestion.

“Now, you’re speaking my language.” Liv holds the soccer ball out to me. “Sweets.”

At the shop is when the real magic happens. Olivia asks Ruby questions to try to get to know her. Simple things. Starter things.

“What’s your favorite ice cream flavor so far? Your dad says you try a new one each time you come here.”

“The balsamic strawberry. It sounds weird, but it’s really good.”

“I’ll take that one,” Liv says to the kid behind the counter.

Ruby sends me an approving glance. A small one but enough to raise my hopes.

“What other kinds of sweets do you like? What’s your favorite?”

“Cake, cookies, but pie is my favorite.” Ruby takes her cone and hovers by our side while we wait for ours.

“Ooo, what kind of pie? My favorite is key lime.” Liv gets her cone next, touches my arm, and nods for Ruby to pick a spot to sit before following her to a booth in the corner.

I get my cone after a minute and join them, squeezing in with Ruby, my arm around her shoulder. She seems less tense now.

“I know how to make pie. Have you ever made one?”

Ruby shakes her head. Lisa never baked, too worried about her figure to keep sweets in the house. She’d berate me for taking Ruby out for treats after her games. Ruby loves sweets though.

“I could teach you sometime. If you’re interested.”

That perks Ruby up. “Yes. Please.”

Liv grins at her. “I have all sorts of recipes up my sleeve. It’s the perk of having a chef for a brother. A really good chef. My favorite are his cannoli though. Have you ever had one?”

“Once.” My daughter’s eyes get big. “They were really good.”

“Next time he makes them, I’ll save you one. Chocolate and pistachio.” Liv gives an elegant chef’s kiss, and Ruby giggles.

I give her shoulders a squeeze, and she looks up at me. Her glowing approval soothes something inside of me. I’m glad to have it.

They chitchat some more about baking and goodies before Olivia pries the real secret out of my daughter—her love of reading.

It’s nice to sit back and watch them bond.

When we’re long done with our ice cream, I escort them both back to our cars. Once I have Ruby closed in my Jeep, I turn to Olivia, taking the short, private moment.

“What are you doing tonight?” I take up her hand, twisting our fingers together gently.

She blinks at me. “Dinner with my parents, which means I’m not really doing anything.”

A blush blooms in her cheeks and down her throat.

“I eat with them every night. I still live at home.”

I laugh gently. I like that. It’s smart, and it also means they’re close if they eat together every night.

“Think you might want to come over after dinner?” I lean in, mouth brushing her ear. “Maybe stay the night?”

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