Page 94 of I'll Keep Her Safe

Bailey looks back at me. “What’s she like, Dad?”

I pull three bottles of homemade lemonade from the fridge—I made a huge batch with Marty’s lemons last week—and pop the tops, buying time as I hand one to Bailey and one to Poppy, then take a long swig. Eventually, my daughter’s expectant face gets the better of me, and I sigh.

“She’s great,” I say at last, avoiding Poppy’s gaze. “Smart, funny, beautiful, and truly one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.” Crap, that might be a little too close to home. “She sees the good in me and pushes me to do the things that make me happy.”

Bailey grins. “Have you two…” she begins, then rolls her hand, and I stare at her, wondering if she’s actually asking me what I think she is.

“Jesus, Bailey.”

“What?” She laughs, looking to Poppy, then back to me with a shrug. “I just want to know if I can expect to become a big sister anytime soon.”

Huh. I’d never considered how she’d feel in that role.

“Would you like to be a big sister?” I venture cautiously.

“Uh, yes!” She bounces excitedly on her toes. “That would be so cool!” Her head tilts as she regards me closely again, softening. “You’re really serious about this woman, aren’t you?”

Don’t look at Poppy. Donotlook at Poppy.

“I am.” I force my gaze to my lemonade, twirling it absently in my hand as I think back to Poppy’s words on the beach this afternoon.I know what I want, and that’s you. I want a life with you. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.My throat grows tight as I realize for the millionth time how fucking lucky I am.

“Wow,” Bailey whispers, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder—the one that isn’t occupied by the cat. “I’ve never seen you like this, Dad.”

When I sneak a glance at Poppy, she’s gazing at me with love, one hand on her heart, her eyes shining. God, I need to be alone with her. We need to talk this through so we can tell Bailey and get our relationship out in the open, where it belongs. So I can make her my wife, so we can start our life together, properly.

But when Bailey turns to Poppy and asks, “Are you still doing the marketing business?” I know that won’t be happening any time soon.

Poppy grimaces. “No. Honestly, I don’t think it was the right fit for me. You’re welcome to take it over if you want, otherwise I think I’ll take the website and socials down.”

Bailey considers this, then shakes her head. “I don’t think I can manage it with work, so… yeah, maybe closing it down is for the best.” She drops her gaze to her lemonade, looking wistful, before focusing back on Poppy. “So you’re all in on the catering business, then? Is it going well?”

“The crew loves her food.” I can’t stop the pride from creeping into my voice, and Poppy’s cheeks stain pink.

“Well, duh,” Bailey says, laughing. “Who wouldn’t? Did you find a commercial kitchen?”

Poppy’s gaze flits to mine. “Yes, I did. And it’s perfect.”

I have to turn away to hide my smile.

“Great! How’d you find it?” Bailey asks.

“What do you want for dinner, kiddo?” I ask, hoping to distract her. I know she’s only showing an interest in our lives, but part of me wishes my daughter would stop with the twenty questions already.

“Whatever, I don’t mind.” Then she looks back at Poppy, waiting.

“Uh… I found it thanks to your dad,” Poppy says, and I realize she’s trying to walk the same fine line as me—giving away as little as possible without lying.

“Aw, Dad.” Bailey shoots me a sweet smile. “That’s so nice.”

“Happy to help,” I mumble, as I pull out the ingredients to make pasta. Bailey opens her mouth as if to say something more, and I decide to take charge of the situation, asking her, “Where do you want to sleep, honey?” Poppy hasn’t been in Bailey’s room for a month now, but she’ll have to sleep in there tonight so it doesn’t look suspicious.

Thankfully, Poppy picks up on this. “You’ll sleep in your old room with me, right? We’ll have a slumber party, like old times.”

Bailey grins. “Sounds fun.”

Poppy rises from the stool with a smile. “Great. I’ll take your bags up and get the room ready while you catch up with your dad.”

“There’s an air mattress in the hall closet,” I call as she heads upstairs. I breathe out once it’s just me and Bailey in the room, taking Sugar from my shoulders and placing her on the floor. “How are you, kiddo?”

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