“Thank you,” I smile. “Luna will be happy.”
“I made so many because it was a big batter, but you can freeze them.”
“Got it,” I nod.
“Luna isn’t the only one getting a treat,” Everly says. “I made something special for Naomi.”
“Just for me?” Her eyes are full of wonder.
“Well, your daddy and I might have one each, but the rest is for you,” she winks. “Is that okay with you?”
Naomi nods animatedly. “I can share. What did you make?”
“Cake pops.” Naomi frowns. “They’re like lollipops, but instead of candy, it’s cake.”
“Wow.”
Naomi’s amazement makes me smile.
“Since you’ve already tasted my donuts, I wanted to make something different. Of course, the cake pops are sprinkled with sparkles.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up.
“Yup. I liked the sparkly shoes you were wearing when you came to visit, so I thought I’d sprinkle sparkles on your treats.”
“Thank you, Everly.” Naomi comes running to me. “Did you hear, Daddy?”
“I did, sweet pea. You’re lucky.”
“I know.”
Everly's eyes catch mine and we share a smile at my daughter’s excitement.
“You’re spoiling my girls,” I tell her.
“I hope it’s okay.”
“It’s more than okay.”
We stare at each other again for a few long seconds before I break the spell.
“Where are my manners? I haven’t offered you a drink yet. Are you okay with us starting with a glass of champagne?” I ask.
“Absolutely!”
I pop open a bottle of vintage champagne and grab a pineapple juice box for Naomi. I give my daughter her juice and hand Everly her glass.
“Cheers,” I say, lifting my glass.
“Cheers,” Naomi and Everly parrot.
Woof! Luna chimes in.
We all laugh.
Over the next several minutes, I get everything ready for our meal while my daughter recounts every story she can remember, her eyes flickering between Everly and I. Naomi’s excited voice raises with each new story. She’s so thrilled we have a guest over. She even rushes out to the living room and trots back in the kitchen with the iPad for show and tell. Everly listens attentively, glancing up every so often. When she does, I can’t help but wink back at her.
I’m so mesmerized by her and what’s unfolding in my home, it’s only now I notice. Luna is lying down at Everly’s feet. She hasn’t barked, growled or tried to stand between Naomi and Everly. With everything that happened in London, our Staffie is usually mistrusting of women who are strangers. But here she is sleeping peacefully while my child entertains my lady friend.
Wow.
Even my dog is under her spell.
* * *
After an animated dinner, too many scrumptious desserts to choose from, a house tour, a bath and two nighttime stories, my little princess is out of steam. Luna, her forever faithful companion, is snuggled next to her.
All in all, it was an incredible evening. There were a few accidents along the way, but they hardly deterred Naomi’s exuberance around our guest. I didn’t have the heart to discipline her. Everly rolled with it unfazed, so no harm done.
“Good night, Everly,” Naomi yawns.
“Good night, Naomi,” Everly waves. She’s leaning against the doorframe, a spectator to our nighttime routine.
“When will you come back and visit?” Naomi asks.
“I don’t know if your daddy will invite me back.”
My head whips around and I flash Everly an ‘Are you kidding me?’ look.
She laughs.
“You haaaave to, Daddy. You just haaaave to,” Naomi pleads.
I chuckle.
“You liked having Everly over?”
“Oh, yes. She’s fun.”
“Okay, let me talk to her and see if she’ll agree to come back.”
“Yay! Everly can come for dinner every Saturday. Next time, we can have a high tea party.”
“I’d love that,” she says.
She really likes her.
“Enough planning for tonight. You, young lady, need to go to sleep,” I say, dropping a soft kiss against her forehead.
“Okay,” she yawns again. I pull the sheet up and tuck it under her chin. “Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you, Noni. Night. Sleep tight.” I kiss her good night and get up from her bed. Everly is waiting for me in the hallway. I turn off the lights and close the door behind me.
“Do you want another glass of wine?” I ask Everly.
“Yes, please.”
“Let’s go downstairs.” I intertwine my fingers with hers and lead her back to the kitchen.
“Her nickname is so cute,” she says as we go down the stairs.
“She couldn’t pronounce her name for the longest time. It kept coming out as Noni. It was so adorable, I kept using it.”
“I’ve said it before, but it was my gut talking,” Everly says. “Now, I’ve witnessed it with my own two eyes. I stand by my words.”
“You lost me.”
“You’re doing an amazing job with Naomi.”
Something tugs at my heart. It always does when people say that. There are no words to express the amount of love I have for the little person sleeping upstairs.
“Thank you,” I say simply.
“She’s much happier––and well-adjusted––than many kids who have both parents.”
“You have to try harder when you’re a single parent,” I say.
“Well, you, sir, make it look easy.”
“Nah. It’s all smoke and mirrors. I sweat bullets like every other parent and constantly feel I might fail her. The struggle is real.”
“You’re too hard on yourself, Holt.” There’s compassion in her voice. I can’t help it.
When we get to the kitchen, I grab the second bottle of red we opened at dinner and keep walking.
“What about the glasses?” Everly asks.
“I got it covered.”
“Where are we going?”
“Someplace quiet,” I tell her.
“What about Naomi?”
I stop in my tracks and turn around to face her.
A look of worry veils her beautiful eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep my boundaries. I shouldn’t have––”
I pull her into my arms. “I love that you care.”
“Okay,” she lets out a breathy exhale. “You’re not offended?”
“Not at all. And to answer your question, I’m taking you to the smaller entertainment room I have downstairs. It’ll give us privacy. Since I have an audio monitor installed in her room, I can hear everything from down here. If she needs me, I’ll know.”
“I see.”
“Can I carry on with my devious plans?”
“Don’t let me stop you!”
I chuckle.
With a rushed step, I eat the floor beneath me, dragging her behind me. We step into the room and I lock the door. I turn around and lean against it. My eyes sweep up and down her body. I take my time drinking her in.