Page 33 of Dark Memories
Delaney shrugged. “I went to the store first thing this morning.”
Zach lowered his daughter to the floor. “Kali, this is Delaney Harrison. You remember her from last night?”
She leaned against his leg. “She saved me. What can I call you?”
“Harr—” She let out a sigh when he raised a brow. “You can call me Delaney.”
“Delaney is a police detective, and she’s also a special friend of mine.”
His daughter studied Delaney for a moment before saying, “Can she be my special friend, too?”
He looked at Delaney. That was her question to answer.
“Ah, if you want me to be.”
Zach had the impression she’d like nothing more than to haul ass and never look back. She’d said several times that she didn’t know how to talk to children, and he didn’t think she was comfortable around them, but at least she’d never said she didn’t like them. He had faith that his daughter could win her over.
“Will Ollie be your friend, too?”
Zach swallowed a smile when Delaney wrinkled her nose.
“I guess if he wants to be my friend, that’s okay.”
Kali smiled. “Then you can be mine and Ollie’s special friend like you are Daddy’s.”
Zach snorted. “There’s special, and then there’sspecial,” he murmured. That earned him a glare, and damn if that fire in Delaney’s eyes wasn’t sexy.
“Now that we have that settled, why don’t you two have a seat while I make us some breakfast.” He noticed the dog was squirming. “Ollie probably has to go out.”
“I’ll take him,” Delaney said. She reached into the pile of dog supplies and picked up a leash and collar.
Kali held up the dog. “Look, Ollie. That’s our favorite color.”
The collar and leash were purple, and she’d scored points with his daughter by remembering that was Kali’s most favorite color in the world.
“I’ll have him back to you in a few minutes,” Delaney said.
“Can I come with you?”
“That okay?” Delaney asked him.
If she hoped he’d say no, wasn’t happening. “Sure.” He tapped Kali’s nose. “Run get your coat first.”
Kali took off, and he gave Delaney what he hoped was an innocent smile. “She’s hard to say no to, huh?”
“Like her daddy.”
“Yeah?” He got in her space, laughing when she held up Ollie between them. “No dog is going to keep me away from you. Just something you should know.” He scratched Ollie’s ear. “Tell me, Ollie. Do you think I should kiss Delaney?”
When he barked, she rolled her eyes. “Both of you are ridiculous.”
“I’m ready, Delaney,” Kali said, skipping back into the kitchen.
“Show Delaney the way to the backyard.”
His daughter took Delaney’s hand, and the two of them walked out, but not before Delaney shot him a glance over her shoulder, one that he couldn’t read. Which made him all the more curious as to what was going on in her head.
He moved to the sink window where he could see them. Kali was talking up a storm, making him smile. “Try and resist that one, Delaney.”
