Page 53 of Make You Stay

“Go get your stuff ready, and let me talk to your dad.”

Natalie nods, walking into the other room.

“Boy trouble,” Chloe explains, a rueful smile on her lips. “She’s going to be fine, but she needs some girl time.”

“Thank you for helping her. Are you sure you don’t mind?” I flash Chloe a smile, realizing how I’m always smiling around Chloe.

Hell, I’m always smiling justthinkingabout Chloe.

“You don’t have to thank me. That girl in there? I’m crazy about her.”

Suddenly, I can’t hold back the emotions anymore. They’re too overwhelming, feelings that have simmered for the last several weeks. Pulling Chloe close, I push her dark hair from her ear, letting my mouth nuzzle her skin. “This girl right here? I’m crazy about her, too.”

* * *

At dinnertime,I order Mexican food instead of cooking. First, I’m hardly a chef, and second, Mexican is Natalie’s favorite.

The restaurant sits in a strip mall, next to a family-owned jewelry store. Usually, I pay the place no mind as I dash in to grab my order, but today, I step inside. I enjoy surprising my girls with gifts when they least expect them, and after the day Natalie has had, perhaps something from here might make her smile.

Five minutes later, the clerk wraps up a ruby necklace. Red is Nat’s favorite color, plus she was born in July. Hopefully, this helps ease the pain of boy trouble. I could also kick Jason’s ass, but that would bewaymore fun for me, considering he made my daughter cry.

“Will that be all, sir?” the jeweler asks as he ties a bow around the box.

My eyes drift to the case, to a gold choker that caught my eye the minute I walked in. It’s not Natalie’s taste, but I know someone who would love it.

Someone who, as far as I can tell, rarely gets gifts.

“I’ll take that choker, as well.”

When I hop back in my truck, I’m several hundred dollars poorer, but if it makes either of them happy, it’s worth every penny.

Once my two youngest are chowing down on burritos, I walk next door to drop off their dinner and surprise gifts.

Chloe opens the door, and I damn near drop the bag of food. She’s wearing a dark green face mask and a towel on her head. She looks absolutely ridiculous, and I tell her so in between laughs.

Thankfully, she’s a good sport, giggling as she waves me inside. “It made Natalie laugh, so I consider it a win. That you arealsoamused is a bonus. Give me a second to peel this gunk off my face.”

She’s back a moment later, looking fresh-faced with her hair bouncing around her shoulders. It must be something to do with that green crap.

“How’s Nat doing?”

“Better. I placated her with a hot fudge sundae before telling her that most men are complete idiots. I told her that’s why God invented chocolate.”

“Most men are morons. A sad fact, isn’t it?”

“There are some good guys out there. I informed Natalie that she should strive for a man like you, even though you’re a rarity.”

My heart catches at Chloe’s words. “You didn’t say that.”

“Right hand to God.”

“Thank you... for believing I’m a good man.” Truth is, it may be the greatest compliment anyone has ever paid me.

“I don’t believe it, Aidan. I know it for a fact.”

Those overwhelming feelings? Taken on a whole new level after this chat.

“Hey, Dad.”

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