Page 9 of Caught By Daddy

I chuckle. “Yeah, and if I remember, the last time was when I was giving you a lecture about safe sex,” I growl.

She goes red.

“I remember,” she giggles through the pretty flush on her cheeks. “But yeah, it was mortifying because my stepdad was instructing me on how to use condoms! I was what … maybe fourteen or so?”

I shake my head.

“It’s never too early to have that talk,” I growl. But then I grow serious. “You know, Harlow, I’m sorry I wasn’t around more. I’ve been a pretty shitty father figure, haven’t I?” The pan full of peppers and onions sizzles behind me as Harlow takes a moment to think.

“Why do you say that?”

I pause a second while plating the eggs before serving us both.

“Well, I just haven’t been around much. Because of my job and all,” I say in a somewhat choked tone.

Harlow nods slowly.

“But was it more than just your job?” she asks, cocking her head to one side.

I nod.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. After your mother passed, I honestly had no idea what to do with a ten year old girl suffering from grief. So I hired Griselda as your nanny, and it seemed to work out. You guys got along well, and she had a lot of experience.”

Harlow nods.

“Griselda is amazing, and couldn’t have been a better nanny.”

I nod.

“Do you still keep in touch?”

Harlow smiles.

“Yes, definitely. Her retirement was heartbreaking, but then again, I was already eighteen so I didn’t really need a caretaker anymore,” she jests. “But yeah, we have plans to get lunch together next week, so it’s totally fine. I love Griselda.”

I nod.

“Good, good. But tell me sweetheart, what have you been doing with yourself since? I know you graduated high school last May, but since then …?”

Harlow flushes and won’t meet my eyes.

“Just bouncing around,” she says lightly. “College was never in the works.”

I nod.

“School isn’t the next step for everyone. But have you been working? Pursuing hobbies? Hanging out with friends?”

Harlow ducks her head, still avoiding my gaze.

“Yeah, all of those, sort of,” she mumbles while toying with her eggs. “I’m doing lots of random things.”

But I know she’s avoiding me, and in fact, I already know the answer. So I put my fork down and look into those big brown eyes.

“Sweetheart, I know that you work at Club Z,” I tell her, my voice bland. “I know that you please men for a living.”

My stepdaughter flushes bright red.

“Oh,” Harlow murmurs. At first, it looks like she’s going to cry, but then a belligerent look comes over her features. “What about it?” she asks, her tone almost challenging. “I’m nineteen so I can do what I want.”

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