Page 74 of A Little Twist

Then I quickly dance over to the edge of the water to toss it back.

“Wait!” Alex holds out his hand. “Fresh bluegill is delicious.”

“You can’t eat it, Daddy! Fish are friends, not food!” Pinky stomps back to where she left her fishing pole, and I give him a “told you so” look.

“We definitely have to find her a new movie to watch.”

* * *

Curledup on the sofa that evening, after showers and a meal of chicken nuggets for Pinky and an unidentified, grilled, flaky white meat for Alex and me (also known as fish), I pull up the streaming service and navigate over to a show featuring lots of fancy, pink pigs.

“The Muppet Show?” Pinky sits up beside me on the sofa, where I’m nestled into Alex’s side. “What’s that?”

Turning my head, I look up at him, “I can’t believe you’ve never introduced your daughter to Miss Piggy.”

“Miss Piggy!” Pinky bounces beside me, getting excited. “I want to meet her!”

I put my arm around her, and she puts her head on my lap again.

For the next hour we watch as frogs, bears, dogs, assorted monsters, and all the pigs dance, sing, and tell corny jokes alongside celebrities from decades past.

And it still works.

“I like your voice better,” Alex whispers close to my ear as Julie Andrews sings to Kermit about loving him since he was a tadpole.

A little-girl snore rises from my lap, and I duck my head to keep from laughing. “I’ll carry her upstairs.”

“I’ll wait here.”

CHAPTER21

ALEX

It was a perfect day.

It started when I woke up this morning with Cass in my arms, threading my fingers in her soft hair as I watched the sky turn from dark purple to light blue. Her soft cheek was against my chest, her soft breath against my skin.

Our fishing trip waseducational.

Even now, I can’t help a laugh at how squeamish she was. I did not expect it. I mean, sure the worms wiggle and bleed, and the fish have a slimy coating, but this is a woman who enjoys intimidating mechanics and isn’t afraid to get dirty.

And she knows my daughter so well.

I loved seeing Pinky in her denim cutoffs and her pinkI’d rather be fishingtee. The pink rubber boots and sparkly princess rod and reel set were the icing on the cake.

I have no idea where Cass found it all in two days, but my daughter couldn’t wait to get out on the water, which satisfied an urge I didn’t even know I had. It was like carrying on another tradition that meant so much to me, and even with her “Fish are friends, not food” motto, she asked when we were going again. Pop would be proud.

Then tonight, sitting on the couch with Cass snuggled at my side, my arm around her and Pinky’s head in her lap…

We’re only halfway through the month, and already I can’t imagine Cass not being here.

A soft noise from above draws my attention, and I look up to see her on the stairs, beautiful as ever in a long, cream-colored dress, her dark hair hanging in a single braid over her shoulder.

Rising to my feet, I go to the stairs. I climb them until I reach her, then I cup her face in my hands and kiss her the way I’ve been wanting to do all day.

Her fingers wrap around my forearms, and she kisses me back. Her lips chase mine, and when our tongues curl, a soft whimper escapes her throat. It’s a noise that registers straight to my cock.

Breaking the kiss, I lean down and lift her off her feet, carrying her down the remaining stairs, across the living room, and straight to my bedroom. I can’t go another minute without touching her body.

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