Page 16 of Koa's Little Girl
“I’m not ready to share you with the world, little girl,” he told her honestly and watched her smile at that thought.
“Possessive much?”
“Definitely.”
“I like tacos,” she offered a subject change.
“The world of taco fans is filled with controversy. Are you team soft or hard taco?”
She studied his face before commenting, “I’m picking up that there’s a right and a wrong answer to your question.”
“Definitely.”
Giana sighed and answered, “Hard. Soft tortillas get mushy.”
Koa lifted her into his arms and whirled her around the room to celebrate her correct opinion. “I knew you were the perfect little girl for me.” He kissed her deeply and couldn’t resiststealing a few more smooches before setting her physically away from him.
“Let’s get you all covered up before I toss you back on the bed,” Koa told her as he picked up the shorts he’d grabbed for her to wear.
In a couple of minutes, he led her to the kitchen and pulled out one of the high-backed stools at the island. “Sit and tell me what you were up to while I was gone.”
“I can help.”
“Not going to happen. Daddy takes care of the kitchen. Too many hot and pokey things for little girls. How many shifts did you pick up?”
He stood holding the chair for her until Giana climbed up on the stool. “Thank you, Flame.” He kissed her head before scooting her to the counter.
“I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“That won’t happen.” Koa grabbed a package of animal crackers and opened it to scatter a few on the island before her. Giana picked up one to figure out which animal it was and then bit its head off.
Bloodthirsty. I love it.
“I did my regular shifts the first week, and then when I didn’t hear from you, I filled in my schedule.”
“Like every day?”
Koa opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bunch of different-sized containers. He carried them to the table and popped open the tops to reveal all the best taco fixings: shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa, pineapple, and diced ham.
I wonder how adventurous my little girl is with food?
“Yeah. Being at my apartment was lonely and boring. I didn’t want to go out and do stuff,” she admitted, shrugging her shoulders. “Is that SPAM?”
“Yes, have you ever tried it on a taco?” He reached back into the fridge to pull out the ground beef he’d already browned.
“Never. And is that pineapple?”
“Yes. They go together very well,” he told her as he vented the lid of the seasoned hamburger and put it in the microwave to heat. “No worries, I have regular taco meat as well.”
Opening the pantry, he found the package of hard taco shells and loaded them into the air fryer as he concentrated on his little girl.
Giana picked up another animal cookie and bit off the animal’s legs first this time. She really was a bloodthirsty muncher, he thought, controlling the smile that threatened. Koa didn’t want her to think he was making fun of her.
“Would you make me a taco the way you like them? I want to try it.”
“Of course.” Koa pulled out a large gallon jug of milk and poured two glasses.
“No milk for me, please.”
