Page 33 of Choosing Forever
I hesitate briefly, running that terrible possibility through my head. “I was thinking something a little less dangerous happening than you stepping on a nail, but yes, I guess just like a nail.”
“I’ll be careful,” she swears, finished with her candy now.
I tug the keys out of the ignition and unlock the doors. “You mean it?”
“I swear it,” she vows with a grin.
“I’ll be counting on it, then. Let’s go.”
We step out at the same time, and she doesn’t take off like she would have three years ago. Instead, she pats her thighs and looks up at me for direction.
“Let’s look for your aunts.”
She hums in agreement. “I didn’t see Auntie Pops’ car.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Garrison didn’t want it to get dirty on these roads.”
“He let me use washable markers on the windows last time I was at their house.”
Pausing, I glance down at her. “He did?”
“Yep. And he helped me wash them after.”
“I guess I stand corrected, then.”
Abbie’s grin sparkles. “Can we get a Slurpee after we’re done?”
“Sure, sweetheart. Let’s just focus on finding out what we’re here to do today for now.”
I drop a steady hand to the back of her head and pat her hair. She huffs and reaches up to swat me away, her smile still locked in place.
“I’m not a kid anymore,” she says pointedly.
“You’ll always be a kid to me. My little girl, more like.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“There you are. You’re almost late,” Bryce chides.
Pivoting, I offer her a forced smile. Abbie abandons me completely for my best friend. She joins Bryce a few paces away and gives her a usual hug.
“Hi!”
Bryce relaxes the immediate tightness in her shoulders at the affection and slowly lowers her arms around the little girl. She meets my gaze over Abbie’s head and cocks a brow.
“How hard did your dad try to delay leaving the house, Abs?” she asks.
The question’s meant for me instead, but I hold back, letting my daughter answer.
Abbie pops back a step and glances at my chest. “He changed shirts three times.”
“Wrong.” It was actually four times.
“Don’t call your daughter a liar,” Bryce drawls.
Abbie pouts. “Yeah, Dad. Don’t call me a liar.”
“Don’t turn her against me, Bryce. Or it’ll be you she’s spending every night making bracelets with.”
