Page 116 of Safe and Sound

As Piper slowly lowered the bat, I jerked it away from her. With a disapproving look, I shook my head at her. “I can’t believe you just did that! What has Mommy said about hitting people?”

“Only if they hits you first.”

Snorting, Dare countered, “So you don’t object to violence now?”

I whirled around to narrow my eyes at him. “As a girl, it’s necessary to teach her not to take any shit.”

Holding his hands up, Dare replied, “I completely agree.”

Glancing between the two of us, Piper asked, “Who is he?”

Staring at Dare, I nibbled on my lip. Did I tell her who he really was now, or did I wait for her to get to know him a little better? So far she hadn’t even asked about a father. I thought when she started preschool and started seeing fathers that she would. My therapist explained that all her needs were being met by me and my family, so she didn’t feel an absence.

Dare anticipated my dilemma. Holding out his hand, he said, “I’m your mommy’s friend, Dare Kavanaugh.”

She thrust out her tiny hand to Dare. “Hi.”

The corners of Dare’s lips quirked. “Hello.”

When he took Piper’s hand in his, tears stung my eyes. It was such a small gesture, but it also meant so much.

“It’s nice meeting you, Piper,” Dare said. I couldn’t help noticing how his voice was filled with emotion.

To Piper, it was much more inconsequential. She quickly turned her attention to me. “I’m hungwy.”

“I’ll start dinner in just a minute.”

Piper scrunched her nose up. “But I’s hungwy now.”

“Why don’t I take you guys out to dinner?” Dare suggested.

Considering we’d been at each other’s throats only moments before Piper had appeared, I couldn’t imagine sitting in a restaurant with him, acting as if we were a happy little family. “Um, I’m not sure about that.”

Ignoring me, Dare focused on Piper. “Where’s your favorite place to eat?”

Her blue eyes bulged. “I gets to pick?”

“Yep.”

Inwardly, I groaned as she did a happy dance around the kitchen. I want to go to Bowlerama.”

His brows furrowed. “You like bowling?”

“She likes the game room.”

Dare nodded. “And what do you eat there?”

“Pizza!” Piper shrieked excitedly.

“Sounds good to me.” Dare’s gaze flickered to mine. “What about you?”

“I don’t think I’m up to going out.”

Dare countered, “Then I can just take Piper myself.”

As fury filled me, I narrowed my eyes at him. “That’s not happening.”

His self-assured smirk slunk across his face. “Then I guess you’re coming with us because Piper and me are getting pizza.”

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