Page 104 of Who's Your Daddy
Lola slips her hand into mine and squeezes. “You look tired.”
She pushes back my hair—temporarily sprayed a deep black for my role as Gomez Addams—then runs her fingers down my cheeks.
I sink into her touch. “Just emotional is all.”
It’s the truth, though, she’s right, I’m knackered. Murph and I have to be out the door by six thirty to make it to school on time, and my need for time with Lola alone means I’m not getting to bed until after midnight.
I can’t tell her that, though. If I do, she’ll insist I stay home rather than spending my nights with her. I’m unwilling to even entertain that thought. I like having her around. I wish she were around all the time.
My fish looked almost as done in as me this morning. He wasn’t even swimming, just hanging out upside down like moving his fins was too much work. I worried something was wrong, but my fears were assuaged when I checked on him after work and he was bright and chipper. He must have snagged a nap this afternoon. A few hours of sleep and he looked like a new fish. His color is even brighter. I could have sworn he was more blue, but today, his scales have taken on a teal hue.
Who knew I’d be so good at taking care of plants and fish? It’s a good thing, since Murphy’s case still hasn’t been closed. I need all the evidence I can muster to prove I can care for him.
“You’re a good dad, Cal.” Lola watches me, those green eyes full of honesty. It’s the sweetest compliment I’ve ever received.
“If the two of you are done mauling one another with your eyes,” Sloane approaches, thumbing over her shoulder, “the party is in there.”
My sister-in-law looks far more weary than I do. She also looks pissed, though that’s to be expected when dealing with Sully. The glare she directs at him does throw me for a loop, though. I thought they were turning a corner.
I suppose it was wishful thinking on my part.
The door on the other side of the lobby is closed, though every time it’s pulled open, loud music thrums and lights flash.
“Ah yes, I do think Mrs. Addams and I would like to get our dance on.” I hold out my hand to Lola, and when she slides her fingers into mine, I fall into character and press a kiss to her knuckles, then work my way up her arm.
“Oh my God,” Sloane laments. “You two are?—”
“Adorable,” I offer.
She shakes herhead.
“Amazing.” Lola breaks into the brightest of smiles.
Sloane rolls her eyes.
Sully grunts, fiddling with the cap on his head again. “Annoying.”
Sloane points at him. “Finally, something we can agree on.” With a shake of her head, she sighs. “Sorry, I’m being a bitch.”
“Yes, you really are,” Lola agrees.
Sloane shakes out her hands and bounces on her toes. “Okay, I’m done. Let’s go find sugar, maybe that will help.” She slips her arm through my doll’s and guides her toward the party.
Sully and I follow, because we’re nothing if not smitten with our girls.
In the UK, Halloween isn’t quite so over-the-top. The school’s PTO has pulled out all the stops. It’s unsurprising, if not cliché, that the PTO would put on such a lavish affair.
In one corner, I spot a film screen, complete with at least two dozen bean bags for the viewers.
“What’s the film they’re playing over there?”
“Oh, Hocus Pocus,” Lola says. “I loved that one.”
Sloane nods. “Great movie.”
“What’s it about?” I slip my hands in the pockets of my trousers and watch the scene playing out. The characters are at a party that looks a lot like this one, the lot of them dancing. I happen to like the music they’re playing better than what we’ve got on in here.
Lola shrugs. “There are three witches, and it all starts a hundred years or so ago, when they’re hanged for killing a child.”
