Page 41 of Who's Your Daddy
Her eyes flare with the kind of annoyance I’m familiar with. And maybe even a little humor.
I give her a wolfish grin. “A breastie-nestie.”
The laugh that falls past her lips is loud and happy, it rips through the space, filling me with an insane type of joy.
She’s still smiling when Murphy appears again.
He sets the phone on the table. “What’s going on?”
I clam up, searching his expression for any hint as to how he’s feeling.
Lola, thankfully, asks the question I should have. “How was the call?”
Murphy shrugs, unbothered. “She didn’t pick up.”
The anger that had been bubbling up inside me instantly returns, this time in a full boil. Just as I think I’ll explode, Lola squeezes my knee.
“Can we go home?” Murphy asks quietly. “I have homework.”
Fuck, I hate this.
I stand, my hands flexing. “I’ll clean up.”
Lola shakes her head. “I’ve got it. Thank you for bringing dinner.”
I nod. It’s all I can manage. Words are too hard right now.
Lola pushes back from the table and heads toward the door, where Murphy is fiddling with his backpack. “Which book did the teacher give you?”
“The first Percy Jackson book.The Lightning Thief, I think.”
“Oh.” She clasps her hands and smiles. “You’ll have to tell me what you think of it. I can’t decide whether Annabeth is my favorite or Grover. They’re both so funny. And the scene with Medusa is definitely the best.”
Murphy’s eyes light up. “You read it?”
With a nod, she holds out her arms. “Can I have a hug?”
Murphy collapses against her. The sight makes my heart squeezeso tight I’m afraid it’ll implode. I clear my throat and survey the kitchen until I’ve got my emotions under control.
When I finally look back, Murphy is heading into the hallway and Lola is standing by the door, holding it open.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
She pats my chest as I slip by her. “Don’t have a screamy-dreamy.”
I pull up short and frown at her. “Huh?”
“Sweet dreams, Cal.” She pops up on her toes and kisses my cheek, surprising the shite out of me.
I don’t even bother to fight the smile that tugs at my lips. “Whatever Lola wants.”
Chapter 13
Lola
The shrill ring of a phone echoes around the room, startling me. WhenNJ Judiciaryflashes on the display, I dive for the phone. I’ve been waiting for Judge Cabello’s law clerk to call me back for the last two hours.
“Murphy and Machon.”
