Page 91 of Their Forever Daddy

“Edie! Edie! Daddy said to ask you if—” Jesse skidded to a halt in the dining room, her excited expression fading to a more forced smile. “Oh. Um. Hi Matt, hi Carly.”

“Jesse!” Carly squealed happily, launching herself at her new friend. “Oh my gosh, you look so cute! I love that skirt. Where did you get it? Daddy and I brought lots of snacks, so I hope you like junk food.”

Thank god for Carly, was all Edie could think as she watched Jesse visibly relax. “I love junk food. I don’t get to eat a lot of it when I’m filming or getting ready for a new movie, but when I’m Little I try not to worry so much about it.”

“Oh, good, I didn’t even think about that. We would’ve brought a veggie tray or something.”

As if a few sticks of carrots and celery would somehow counteract the bajillion empty calories spread out on the table. But that was Little logic at its finest, and it amused Edie to no end.

Edie cleared her throat, swallowing a laugh when both Little girls jumped to attention and turned to her immediately. “Jesse, did you need to ask me something, baby?”

“What?” Brows drawing together in confusion, Jesse frowned, then brightened again almost immediately. “Oh! Yes! I asked Daddy if we could have a dance party tonight and he said to ask you ‘cuz the playdate was your idea so you’re in charge.”

“Oh, really?” Edie grinned as Grant joined them in the dining room. “I’m in charge tonight, huh?”

“Of the playdate,” Grant clarified with a pointed look. “You’re in charge of the activities for the playdate.”

“No, no, I clearly heard Jesse telling me that you said I’m in charge.”

The sparkle in his eye detracted from the stern look he was attempting to give her. “Watch yourself, little pixie.”

She was hyper aware of both Matt and Carly watching the exchange with something akin to fascination. And yet, she couldn’t resist the challenge. “Or what?”

“Or I’m sure our guests can find something to occupy their time while Daddy takes you upstairs and reminds you who is actually in charge.”

The heat flooding her body was the heady mix of both arousal and embarrassment she always felt whenever Grant referred to himself as Daddy, heightened by the fact they now had an audience.

“Not necessary, Sir,” she assured him, praying her face didn’t look half as red as it felt at that moment.

“Good choice. Now, do you need help with anything?”

“Ice,” she said, relieved by how normal her voice sounded when she was feeling so off-kilter. “There’s a bucket in the bottom cabinet to the right of the sink, I usually fill it up and put it on the counter with the sodas.”

“I can show you where it is.” Matty led the way into the kitchen, and Edie had never been more grateful for his presence than she was in that moment.

“Daddy?” Carly asked in a loud whisper when the men disappeared into the kitchen. “Are you one of us now?”

“No. Not exactly. It’s just what he asked me to call him.”

“And are you okay with it?” Worry shone in the pale blue of her friend’s eyes. “Because if you’re not, you shouldn’t do it, and you should tell him. He shouldn’t be making you do stuff you don’t wanna do.”

“Relax, little guard dog.” But despite the sarcastic reply, warmth spread through Edie’s chest. She really did have the best friends a woman, Big or Little, could ask for. “I actually kind of like calling him Daddy. It feels right, even though I’m not a Little by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m absolutely sure, Carly-girl.” Stepping forward, she slipped an arm around Carly’s waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “But thank you for loving me enough to ask.”

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Jesse watching them silently, an odd expression on her face. Edie gave Carly another squeeze, then gently pushed her toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you go see if our Daddies need any help.”

Carly’s gaze flicked to Jesse and she nodded. “Sure.”

As she hurried off, Edie shifted her attention to her babygirl, lifting a finger and crooking it in a clear command. As if she’d tugged on an invisible string, Jesse immediately crossed the room to stand in front of her.

There was power in that. In having someone you could command so easily. Power to teach and mold and sculpt—and power to destroy if you weren’t careful.

“You okay, babygirl?” Edie asked, cupping Jesse’s face in her hands.

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

---