“There's always something that needs to be done. I'm checking in with the school again and letting them know my license is up to date. I have a meeting with Zack at the club about the two education classes. Then–”
“Oh no you won’t, buttercup. You’re not going to overdo yourself like Mia does.”
“No she doesn’t,” Melody scoffed, defending her friend.
Mia was always busy with a project or task, she has a Daddy that takes care of her too.
“Yes she does. She waits until Nolan goes out of town and runs herself ragged. Don’t think I don't know how you little girls play the game.”
“Sometimes we need something to do.”
“If you were mine you’d have rules to take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is taking care of me. Just like why I’m such a stickler for driving safely. Making sure I get home ensures my daughter is safe.” You two are all I have–was left unspoken.
“But you won’t be my Daddy.”
“I want to be.”
“But…”
“It’ll get complicated. I don’t do complicated things.”
“Oh.” Risk was a scary thing. “Well…what stays in Vegas?”
Wes wrapped his arms around her middle, her legs parted for him to stand between her thighs and she rested her forehead against his chest.
“Vegas,” he agreed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
SIX
Flipping on the lights to the kitchen, Wes tossed his keys and picked up his phone to call Graham wanting to check on his girl.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
“Just calling to check on Sarah. How’s she been?”
“Your kid’s a riddle and apparently I don’t have the cheat codes.”
“Kids don’t have an instruction manual. You should know that by now.” Wes chuckled. “The trick is repeating whatever they say in your head until you’re too numb to hear it. I’ve figured a few out that way,” Wes teased, pulling a beer out of the fridge “Hit me.”
“Apple, purse, and bubbles. Dude. I love my niece but she’s got me on that one.” Wes smiled at the desperation in Graham’s voice. “She’s six with a grocery list of demands.”
Wes leaned back in his seat, still laughing. “Melody had to help me with that one. Ever since I took her to the aquarium, she’s been attached to a purple octopus I bought her. She named her Bubbles. We’re working on it.”
Graham roared with laughter, Wes knew he was probably standing there shaking his head. “That’s a new one for the toddler dictionary. I should have learned to run with it like my mom does.”
“Sarah’s not her first rodeo. Bubbles is in her bag, front pocket.”
Wes heard rustling in the background.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. So, how’s work going with your little green-eyed distraction?”
Wes ran his hand through the strands of his hair then took a large gulp of beer.
He was well aware that the last two sessions had turned intimate. Even with restraint they went well past the original set limits. Despite their agreement of ‘Vegas’ still sharp in his mind he couldn’t help but wonder where all this was going, and what her lips tasted like.
“It’s been going.”
“That sounds…ominous.”