Page 100 of DadBod

“Unless you already have something to wear.”

Eyeing me suspiciously, she asks, “Elizabeth told you?”

“She did.”

“Did she suggest this shopping trip?”

“Perhaps.” Fuck.

“And lunch?”

“My idea.” It was. I swear.

“Okay.”

“Yeah?” I don’t know why I’m surprised. I’m offering to take her shopping. But, I am.

“Be ready by eleven?”

“Sure.”

“After that, can we stop by the restaurant? I can show you what hostessing entails.” I’m still prepping for the Hamilton onslaught. “You’ll work with Gianna. You might have fun.”

“Gianna’s annoying.”

I know.

“She’s your cousin.”

“Still annoying. She thinks she’s gonna be internet famous.”

I have no idea what that means. “Still your cousin.”

Ryann rolls her pretty eyes, and I ignore it. I stand to go, but before I do, I lean down and wrap my daughter up in my arms. “Love you, Ry. More than anything.”

“Me too, Daddy.”

Good.

* * *

“No way in hell.”No way is she wearing that skimpy suit. “No.” I shake my head hard, for emphasis.

“Dad. Come on. It’s not that bad.”

“There are holes.” I point at the swimsuit that has holes on both sides, the back and the front. “I told you to get a one-piece.”

“This is a one-piece, Dad.”

“No.” I shake my head. That thing is made up of a million pieces.

Staring at me, her eyes are angry slits, until they’re not. “Fine. Take a picture. Send it to Elizabeth. Let’s see what she has to say.”

“Really? You want Elizabeth’s opinion?”

She shrugs. “Sure. This was her idea. Let’s see what she says. But…” Ryann holds up her finger. “If she says it’s okay, you have to let me get it.”

Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I pause. “Wait. Is this a trick? Has she already seen this—” I point at the holey suit. “—thing?”

---