Page 43 of Cougar

Once Bass and I get ourselves under control, I say, “She wasn’t supposed to see them until we talked to her.” I gesture to our new security guys, Levi and Troy.

Bass shrugs. “They were doing their jobs.”

Levi, the younger of the two, says, “Well this job just became interesting.”

He has no idea.

* * *

Jay prances into the kitchen wearing the required school uniform, which is a basic navy and green plaid skirt, white oxford, a tapered navy blue blazer, navy knee socks and a pair of navy Tori Burch flats that we picked up at a boutique over in Pelican Cove on Saturday.

“Look at my girl, Grace,” I say, peering over the rim of my coffee mug. “Doesn’t she look adorable in her uniform?”

Grace turns away from the stove to take in Jay’s attire and Jay does a little twirl. “Good morning, Grace.”

“Hermosa.” She smiles affectionately as Jay kisses her on the cheek, then pulls a mug from the cabinet to pour herself a cup of coffee. “Are you ready for your first day of school?”

“I’m nervous about school, but I’m really excited to see the new Project Mayhem building,” she admits as she turns and leans with her back against the counter, gripping her mug with both hands.

“It’s called the performing arts building,” I inform her.

“All About That Bass” starts playing over the sound system, and Bass dances his way into the kitchen. I laugh at my best friend’s antics despite the sudden wave of sadness forming in my chest. Morning dance parties were the norm for our little family of five before Marcus was too weak to even stand, let alone dance.

“B, can you believe our girl is going off to school?” I ask as he makes his way over to the coffeemaker.

“Good morning, Princess.” He kisses the top of her head and reaches for a coffee mug.

Jay rolls her eyes as she moves over to the island. “You guys act like this is my first day of kindergarten or something.”

“No, but it’s still a big deal. For youandfor me,” I tell her.

“And me,” Bass adds, turning to lean against the counter. Today is just as hard on him as it is on me. It’s the end of an era for Bass and his princess.

“Me, too,” Grace chimes in as she sets our breakfast platters in the middle of the island.

“It’s going to feel weird not having you around for seven hours a day,” I add, and a thought occurs to me.What am I going to do for seven hours?“I’m gonna miss my little girl.” I push out my bottom lip. It’s true. Some experts say parents shouldn’t be friends with their kids, but that’s not how we roll in this family. Jay and I don’t have a conventional parent-child relationship. She’s one of my best friends.

“Are the skirts supposed to be that short?” Bass asks, eyeing her skirt over his mug.

Jay rolls her eyes, stuffing half a pancake in her mouth as she moves over to the barstool.

“That’s the uniform, B. She’s just got long legs.”

“Besides, I’m wearing these.” Jay hops off the barstool and lifts her skirt.

“Jayla!” I laugh as Bass sputters and covers his eyes.

“Chill, B. These things cover more than my bikini bottoms, and probably my running shorts. These are what the cheerleaders wear under their skirts.”

Bass shakes his head and looks down at his watch. “We need to get going, Princess. You’re supposed to meet Principal Avery at seven thirty.”

She looks down at her watch. “Crap. I’ll meet you in the car.” Stuffing one last pancake into her mouth, she snags a strip of bacon from her plate and darts out of the kitchen toward the stairs.

I turn my attention to Bass. He raises his brows, silently asking me what I’m thinking. “I feel like I’m throwing her to the wolves,” I admit.

He chuckles. “Even if that were true, by the end of the day, she’ll have those wolves on their backs begging for a goddamn treat.”

I snort a laugh. “True. We need to see about getting Jay a car. She’s not gonna be okay with you driving her everywhere.”

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