Page 105 of All I Need

“Grayson’s dad is here?” Ellie asks, shock evident in her voice.

“He is.” I nod, looking at her.

“Wow. So that’s why Grayson was going to be at Willow’s all weekend, huh?”

“That would be why.” I turn back to Polly. “I know he’s not your favorite but it sounds like he’s going to be here for a while. Potentially permanently. I need another day with Ellie. I’m not ready to give her back to you, yet, but Willow doesn’t feel like he should stay at her place with Grayson there. It might give him the wrong impression.”

“Is it the wrong impression, though?” Polly asks. She reads minds. So freaky.

“Honestly, I don’t know and I don’t think Willow does, either.”

She sighs, doing her best to look put out. “I suppose he can stay. I’ve never turned anyone away before and I don’t intend to start now, especially if he’s here to finally step up like he should have fifteen years ago. Besides, look how well it turned out the last time I took in a stray,” she teases, reaching out to hold Ellie’s hand.

We all laugh.

“Thank you, Miss Polly. I owe you one.”

She waves me off. “Oh stop. You know I don’t keep track.”

“Good thing, too. I’d be in a severe deficit.”

Ellie leans over and hugs Miss Polly. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay?”

“You will?” I ask, raising my eyebrows at Ellie but she ignores me.

“Oh stop. You’re so selfish,” Miss Polly says, glaring at me. “You can give up one night with her.”

“I can’t help it. She’s easy to be selfish with.”

“Well, all this love is nice but I think it’s time for us to get back to Walker’s.”

“See? She can’t get enough, either.”

“Walker… so embarrassing,” she whispers.

“Yet, you love me.”

“I do.”

Miss Polly takes on a dreamy look and she reaches out to hug me. “Sounds like you’re planning to be more selfish in the future with our Ellie.”

“Damn straight.”

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