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“Hi, Mom,” Shelby answers her cell cheerfully.
Picking up a pink puzzle piece, I slip it into place as Shelby stands. She scratches the top of my daughter’s head with the tips of her fingers as she passes.
Riley frowns, staring after her.
Worry churns in my stomach. Am I moving too fast? I look back toward the hall that leads to the bedrooms. Shelby and I have been a thing for years, whether she and everyone else knew about it or not. I’ll do anything to make her mine completely now, but I won’t have my daughter upset.
After Shelby spent yesterday evening with Samantha, Riley was more than happy to have her attention today. But seeing Shelby more often and her moving in are two different things.
Now I’m frowning too.
“You going to help Daddy?” I ask, tapping the scattered puzzle pieces on the table.
With one last glance down the hall, Riley sighs softly.
“You know you can tell Daddy anything, right?”
Riley pauses, reaching for a puzzle piece. She gives me a slight nod but says nothing.
“I love you, muffin,” I tell her, using Shelby’s nickname for her.
Giggling, she picks out a corner piece.
Together, we sit at the coffee table, music flowing quietly from the television.
My concern doesn’t leave. Instead, it grows with every look Riley sends to the back of the house.
My daughter isn’t the only one eager for our neighbor to rejoin us. Glancing at my watch again, I try to be discreet.
“Don’t forget it’s a secret,” Shelby warns, laughing at the response from the other end of the line.
We both perk up at the sound of an approaching voice.Like father, like daughter.
“I will call if something happens, I promise. Okay, okay. When something happens,” she corrects, rolling her eyes.
I send a disapproving look her way for the disrespectful act. Her stepmom may not be able to see her, but it’s still rude.
“I’ll tell them. We love you too. Bye.”
Ending the call, Shelby sets her cell down, slips past the sofa, and joins us on the cream carpet.
“My mom sends her love.”
Riley’s little forehead scrunches.
“How’s she doing?” I ask.
“Good.” Shelby nods. “Settling in well. Making friends. The town is small like Cromwell, so she’s used to everyone being up in her business.”
“The change of scenery will be good for her,” I reassure, placing a hand on her knee.
“I know,” she whispers with a deep sigh. “I just miss her.”
I squeeze her knee at her wistful tone. “You’re not alone.”
Shelby’s cheeks flush, a small smile taking over her face. Fighting it, she bites the corner of her lip. It quickly turns to a bright smile when she catches my eyes dropping to her mouth.
Shuffling forward, Shelby’s fingers cover mine.
