Page 4 of Daddy's Damaged Little Girl

Sage was surprised. “So, I’d be living and working here in the building?”

Cason nodded. “Do you think you’d like that?”

“Daddy,” Lacey growled behind them with a plate loaded with food. “I wanted to be the one to ask her.”

“I’m sorry, Baby. I didn’t know that,” Cason said. “I’ll let you take over then.” Cason bent and pressed a kiss on Lacey’s lips, grabbed a sausage off the plate, plopped it in his mouth, grinned, and walked off.

Lacey huffed and shook her head. “Daddys are impossible.”

Sage smiled. It wasn’t a big one, but it was a start. Her eyes widened when Lacey put the plate and silverware on the table in front of the sofa.

“Lacey, I can’t eat all of that.”

Lacey giggled as she grabbed a few drinks from the small frig in her office. “I know. I don’t even think Daddy could eat all of that. We’re sharing. That’s okay, isn’t it?”

Sage nodded. “I think it’s great.”

“I thought we could call it a picnic.”

Sage loved the thought of it. “I’ve never been on a picnic.”

Lacey’s eyes rounded. “I hadn’t either before I found Cason. Now, the littles have them a lot. You’ll come now.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose.”

Lacey sat and pulled her down to sit before she handed her a bottle of juice. “If you like it or not, you’re my friend and one of us. You’re stuck with us.”

Sage felt tears pool in her eyes but blinked to keep them back.

Lacey groaned. “If you start crying, I will, too.”

Sage sniffed and nodded. “I’m not.”

“Good, because I get blotchy, and my eyes swell up. It takes a long time to get them back to normal.”

“I’m an ugly crier,” Sage said.

“I am, too,” Lacey said and handed her a fork. “Dig in before it gets cold.” Lacey took a bite before asking, “So, what did you think of mine and my daddy’s idea?”

“About living and working here at the House of Compassion all the time?”

Lacey nodded.

“You’re not just doing this because you feel sorry for me?” Sage asked.

Lacey laughed. “Um … no. Look around. Does it seem like we have everything under control?”

Sage relaxed. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

Lacey bounced on the sofa, clapped, and squealed. “Good. I’m so happy.”

“Me, too.” Sage was more than happy. She was also relieved that her life was finally starting again, and she had a purpose to contend with every day. It might help to keep the demons in her mind at bay sometimes.

Chapter Three

Sebastian walked into the building and caught sight of his friend.

“Oh, good. You’re back,” Cason said.

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