Page 24 of Dancin' with Demons

“Now, remember, when do you know it’s ready to flip?”

“When the bubbles on the edges pop,” Savior says happily, her little eyes narrow and staring at the pancake.

Renegade chuckles, and my chest tightens but not in a bad way. Savior’s never had a man in her life. Renegade is literally the first, and he really has been so sweet to her since yesterday. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about him watching her today. She’s never stayed with anyone but Miss Irene, and while I know my daughter is well-behaved, I just don’t want Renegade getting overwhelmed or irritated with her in any way.

“They’re popping!” Savior jumps on the stool, and Renegade damn near drops the bowl on the counter and grabs her waist with both his hands.

“Let’s not do that, little one,” he says gently. “The stove is hot, and if you fall off there, it might hurt. Okay?”

Savior calms down instantly as she looks up at him. “Okay, Ren-Ren. Sorry.”

He smiles down at her and steps behind her, wrapping his large hand around her little one that’s holding the spatula. “It’s okay. Alright, let’s flip this one.” Renegade helps Savior flip the pancake, and she squeals.

“I did it!”

Renegade boops my daughter on the nose. “You sure did, babygirl. Now, we let that cook for a few minutes, and then we’ll put it on the plate and make another one.”

Finally, I step into the doorway and cross my arms over my chest, leaning against the door frame as I watch them. They’re in their own little world, and it’s another three pancakes before Renegade finally glances at me. He does a double-take and looks me up and down.

“You look beautiful, little love,” he says, his tone husky as he grabs Savior and puts her in his arm to walk over to me. Stopping in front of me, he leans down and kisses me, and Savior lets out a little giggle. In turn, Renegade chuckles against my lips, too. As Renegade stands, he turns his head to Savior. “What are you gigglin’ at?”

She giggles again. “You kissing Mommy!”

“Oh, yeah?”

Renegade wraps his arms around Savior, and she screams and shrieks as he blows raspberries on her cheeks and tickles her sides. Covering my mouth, I can’t help but laugh. Them together really is the cutest thing I think I’ve ever witnessed. But by the time Renegade stops, Savior’s face is red, and she playfully slaps his shoulder before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him.

“Can we eat now?” She sits up and glances at the food stacked across the counter.

“Go sit down with Mommy, and I’ll bring the food over.” He sets her on the floor and moves around to the counter as Savior darts over and grabs my hand, pulling me to the kitchen table where three plates and silverware are already set out.

For the next half hour, we eat and laugh, and Savior tells Renegade all about the stuff she does during the day with Miss Irene. I try to handle the dishes after I’m done, but Renegade shoos me out of the kitchen and tells me to get ready for work while he handles everything. Instead of arguing, I go to the bedroom and get my uniform before hopping in the shower. The water pressure in this house is so nice that I stay in a little longer than I should. By the time I get out and dressed and get my hair put up, we’ve only got a few minutes before we need to leave so that I can be to work on time.

Grabbing my tennis shoes from the closet where Renegade put all my stuff, I head into the living room. “We need to go, or I’m gonna be late! Savior, come here, please!”

I stop in the middle of the living room as I look up and realize Savior’s sitting on the sofa with Renegade and Sandra standing next to the couch.

“Sandra’s gonna sit with Savior while I run you to work,” Renegade says with a smirk. “Do you have your phone?”

“Shit,” I grumble. “It’s still plugged in.”

“I got it,” he says, kissing my cheek quickly as he passes me. “Get your shoes on.”

I flop on the couch next to my daughter and get my shoes on while she stares at a show calledDoc McStuffinson the television. “Savior, be on your best behavior for Renegade today, understand?”

“Yes, Mommy,” she says as she climbs to her knees and hugs me, planting a big, noisy kiss on my cheek.

After she sits back down, I stand and lean down to kiss the top of her head just as Renegade comes back in the room, holding my phone out to me. Taking it, I slide it into my back pocket and thank Sandra before Renegade puts his hand on my lower back and guides me out the front door to Trickster’s truck. The ride to work is a comfortable silence, and Renegade keeps my hand in his the entire time.

Pulling up outside the diner, I unhook my seatbelt and grab the door handle, but Renegade stops me just as I open the door. “One of us will be here to pick you up. Don’t leave that diner until you see this truck out here, okay?”

Sighing, I turn toward him and lean across the seat to press my lips to his. “Thank you for everything, Renegade.”

“Anythin’ for you, little love,” he whispers as he kisses me again before letting me climb out of the truck.

Heading down the alley, I dip into the back door and head right for the front dining area to get my day started. Just as I’m putting my stuff under the counter and putting my phone on vibrate, Edna opens the door, and three people come inside for my boss to seat. One is a couple that she puts in the section she’s taking for the day, and the other is a single guy that she sits in my section.

Since he’s my first table, I head right over with a genuine smile on my face. “Good morning. Can I start you off with something to drink?”

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