Page 85 of Flawless

“Did I just hear the conversation between my daughter and you that I think I heard?”

Not looking up at him, I nod dumbly. “Mm-hmm.”

“Think it’s time that I have a conversation with her about the birds and the bees?”

“If that’s the terminology you’re using, Z, I can guarantee you that she’s light years ahead of you and may teach you a thing or two.”

I look up to see his eyes widening in disbelief. I take pleasure in knowing that he’s experiencing a little of the discomfort that I already did.

22 – DANICA

“Hey, why are you looking so down? I thought you were excited about this? When you first told me about the camp, you were looking forward to it. Now you’re looking like it’s going to be the worst two weeks of your life.”

“No, it won’t. And I still am looking forward to it. It’s just...these last four weeks with you and Papai have been awesome.”

“Well, you’re pretty awesome, too, kid,” I say, running my hand over Zee Zee’s head and smoothing her damp hair back from her forehead.

She just returned from a swim to come in and pack.

When she keeps staring at the clothes that she’s packed and not closing the suitcase, I ask, “Well, what is it?”

Sighing loudly, she says, “It’s been like a family being with you and Papai this last month. I mean, like a real family, and I guess I’ve never experienced that before.”

“I thought your dad said that you often visit family on his side and your mom’s.”

“I do, but not that kind of family. I mean, like having a mom and dad in the house with me. A house full of laughter, joking, making me take on responsibility even though I’m just a kid, and...” She hesitates for a moment as if she’s unsure if she wants to continue. But she does. “And love.”

My heart is about to freaking explode in my chest. I swear it is. But before it explodes, the tears prick my eyes first.

“Zílda,” I whisper. “That’s the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

She pops off the bed like a kernel of popcorn popping in a pot and throws her arms around me where I’m sitting on the other side of the bed. For a moment, I’m uncertain of what to do as my arms are extended out to my sides.

But gently, Zee Zee squeezes me, meshing her cheek against mine, and says, “It’s called hugging, Dani.”

Smiling, I blink back the tears, wrap my arms around her, and say softly, “I know. Thanks, kid.”

When she finally pulls back, she stares at me with wet eyes, and she furiously rubs her eyelashes.

“Sorry about that.”

“No need. I think I needed that as much as you did.”

When she takes her seat on the bed again, this time beside me, I take her hand in mine.

“You know that you can come and visit me whenever you’d like.”

“Are you still going to be here?”

“I plan to be. Right now, I haven’t set a particular date to leave, so...until I do, you’re welcome here. And once I leave, you’re more than welcome to visit me in Charleston.”

She smiles, and those deep dimples dance merrily in her cheeks.

“Dani, can I tell you something?”

“Anything, sweetheart.”

“I was on social media, and I saw all the things that they were saying about you.”

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