Page 57 of Their Forever Daddy

That at least got Edie to look at her, and she couldn’t help but grin at the glare Edie sent her way. “You still say that?”

“Mmhmm. Stop changing the subject. You obviously came in here for something, so spill.”

“Maybe I just wanted to check on you, since you’ve been up here an hour already.”

“Perfection takes time.”

“I suppose you’d know.”

Crossing her arms, Jesse leaned against the doorframe. “Why, Edie. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that sounded like a compliment.”

Edie rolled her eyes. “You know you look amazing, Jesse Lynne.”

Hearing Edie use her middle name gave her a little nervous flutter in her tummy usually reserved for her Daddy. “I do. But I never get tired of hearing it.”

“I guess Grant likes that kind of thing? A woman who takes the time to get all dolled up for a date?”

Ah. There it was. “Grant loves all the versions of me. Even the version of me that wakes up hungover with my hair a mess and last night’s Oscar’s makeup smeared across my face.” Pushing away from the door, she looped her arms around Edie’s neck, pleased when her hands came to rest on her waist. “And he’s going to love whatever version of you he gets.”

“We’re very different people. You and me, I mean. Grant and me, too, now that I think about it. I’m just not sure where I fit.” The fast flow of words was as close to babbling as she’d ever heard Edie get.

“Ice cream and steak are very different, and you still love both of those things. It’s no different with people.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so.” Jesse toyed with the damp ends of Edie’s hair. “But if it would make you feel better, I’d be happy to do your makeup for you. Maybe pick out an outfit for you to wear.”

“Why do I feel like I’m going to regret saying yes?”

With a happy squeal, Jesse grabbed Edie’s arm and dragged her toward the bathroom. “This is going to be so much fun!”

“Nothing too crazy,” Edie warned. “I still want to look like me. Just, you know, better.”

“Sugar, there’s no improving on perfection. There are, however, clever ways of highlighting your best features. Like those to-die-for cheekbones of yours.” Flipping the toilet lid closed, she gave Edie a nudge and Edie lowered herself to the seat, an odd expression on her face.

“Perfection, huh?”

Despite the pounding of her heart, Jesse gave what she hoped was a nonchalant shrug. “You’ve always been perfect to me. You know that.”

“No, I don’t. You never actually said it.”

Pausing her perusal of her favorite eyeshadow palette, Jesse frowned as she mentally scanned her memories of their summer together. And now that she really thought about it, she couldn’t pinpoint one time when she’d actually told Edie how beautiful she was. At nineteen, she’d been so wrapped up in herself and her own image, it had never occurred to her that Edie might need to hear those things from her.

“I’m sorry.” Setting the palette aside, she turned and cupped Edie’s face in her hands. “I should have told you years ago. But I think you are absolutely perfect. Not just physically, though you are hands down the most stunning woman I know. And I know a lot of beautiful women.”

“Trying to make me jealous?” It was an obvious attempt at a joke, but Edie’s eyes were suspiciously damp.

“Nope. Because you have nothing to be jealous of. I’ve played with other women, even dated a couple. But there was only ever you. Until Grant came along, I wasn’t entirely certain I’d ever be able to love someone else.”

“Oh.”

“Mmhmm.” Leaning in, she brushed her lips over Edie’s, delighted when the other woman sighed at the simple touch before she pulled away. “Now. Let’s go blow Daddy’s mind.”

Chapter 21

Grant

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