New York is always nonstop. For once, I was grateful for the relentless peace. My demanding workload kept me busy enough to forget I opened up about Naomi’s mom. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t regret telling Everly. Revisiting the past always makes me angry at how easy it’s been for my daughter’s mother to completely forget she ever gave birth to a precious child.
“Dah-deeeeee!” Naomi’s voice shakes me out of my momentary foul mood.
She comes running into the kitchen with our Staffie in tow. Everly is half an hour away. While I’ve been making the finishing touches, ready for our evening, Naomi has been stressing out over the perfect outfit for our dog. I guess she’s solved that enigma.
“Yes, sweet pea.”
“Do you like Luna’s dress?”
I chuckle.
This is outfit number four.
“What was wrong with the last one?”
She gives me that face, the one that says, Seriously, Daddy?
“I like it. She looks perfect,” I say.
“Are you sure?”
“Luna always looks good––with or without clothing.”
She giggles.
“I want Everly to like her.”
I walk up to Naomi and squat so we’re at eye level. “What’s there not to like?” I tap the tip of her nose.
She giggles again.
“You look pretty perfect too,” I say.
I gave her three dress options. She went with the cute one that’s made to look like a two-piece. It has a floral skirt and white top. She refused her Chucks and opted for her a pair of new dressy black shoes and white socks. Her hairstyle was a production. She had specific demands today. She kills me.
“I hope Everly likes me too,” she worries her bottom lip.
“She does, Noni. You already met her.”
She nods.
But for some reason, she doesn’t seem convinced.
“What’s going on in your little pretty head?”
She responds with a one-shoulder shrug before averting her gaze.
“Talk to me, sweet pea. What’s wrong?”
“You never had a lady friend before.”
“True. Is it okay?”
She gives me another one-shoulder shrug.
“Tell me what’s bothering you,” I coax.
“In my other school.” She means the one she left in London. “Julie’s mummy had a friend and then he was her daddy. And Chelsea’s daddy had a friend—she even dropped her off at school. And then she was Chelsea’s mummy. Is Everly going to be my mummy?”
Whoa.
I didn’t see that one coming.
I swear, my heart stammers over a beat or ten.
My poor baby girl.
It’s been a while since she’s brought up the mommy thing.
“Is that why you want Everly to like you and Luna so much?” I ask.
She nods.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Everly.” She frowns. “We’re just friends for now.”
“So I won’t have a mummy still?”
“Not yet, sweet pea.”
Her eyes water and soon tears well there.
Shit.
She blinks furiously at me, her lower lip jutting out.
God, it hurts to see her this way.
When tears hurdle over her lids and careen down her sweet cheeks, I want to fucking die.
I embrace her and hug the hell out of my child. We stay like this for a while until I pull away from her.
“I know you don’t have a mommy,” I say, wiping her tears away, “but you’ll always have me, and Luna is your best friend.”
Her disappointment deepens.
We’re both about to navigate uncharted territory. As always, my number one job is to protect her. I’d gladly crawl over broken glass before I allow anyone to ever hurt her again.
“There is something I can tell you,” I say.
“What?”
“Whomever I choose to be with has to like you and Luna. There are no two ways about it. We come as a packaged deal—it’s me and my girls.”
She offers a small smile.
“And when the right woman comes along, she’ll be the perfect mommy for you,” I add.
That does the trick.
The frown of worry disappears and it’s replaced with a radiant smile. For now.
CHAPTER 27
Holt
Everly texted me to let me know she was close. I sent a car to pick her up. She protested, stating she has her own wheels. I’m sure she looks hot in her Mini Countryman compact SUV, but why drive in LA when you don’t have to?
The baked potatoes wrapped in foil and the ribs are already on the grill. I’ll put the corn a little later. The ribs, steaks––and chicken breasts for Naomi––are marinating in the fridge. Same for the vegetables. The Mediterranean appetizer platter I bought from All This Food is chilling. I have wine and champagne on ice—pineapple juice for Naomi. Five ice cream pints of seasonal flavors from Salt & Straw are tucked in the freezer. The playlist is selected. In other words, I’m ready.
I didn’t even have to convince Naomi not to run around in the backyard with Luna. She’s been sitting pretty watching cartoons. She even has her legs crossed at the ankle like a big girl. She’s been very careful, unwilling to get her dress—or Luna’s—dirty. She’s eager. I suspect her excitement isn't like mine—I’m looking forward to seeing my little donut dominatrix again. We’ve been on WhatsApp pretty much every night, but it’s not the same as seeing her beautiful face.
“Dah-deeeeee!”
My princess runs and throws herself at me. I scoop her into my arms, swirl her in the air.
“Yay!” she giggles like crazy.
I press a kiss to her forehead before setting her down.
“What’s up, sweet pea?”
“Did Everly forget?”
“No, Noni. She’s on her way. Traffic is bad on Saturday nights in the city,” I explain.
“Oh, okay,” she turns on her heel and sets off, a blur of little girl racing out of the kitchen. “She’s coming, Luna. Be patient. Traffic is bad on Saturday nights,” I hear her shout.
I laugh.
My phone chimes in and I quickly stride to the island. When I pick it up, I smile wide.
As I head to the door, the doorbell rings.
“She’s here! She’s here! She’s here!” Naomi chants.
She lets out this excited screech as she runs to the door, Luna is right behind her. She’s just about to reach the lock, when I stop her in her tracks.
“What did I say about opening the door?”
“Err… I’m supposed to let you or an adult open it.”
“That’s right.”
She steps aside. Luna does the same.
When I open the door, Everly is standing there with her trademark dazzling smile, her arms weighed down with boxes. I don’t even have time to greet her as Luna runs up to her, wagging her tail.
“Woof. Woof. Woof.”
“Give her a minute, Luna,” I scold.
“Hi, Luna,” Everly says with a smile. “You can already smell your treats?”
“Woof. Woof. Woof.”
“Luna, move back.”