Page 74 of Claiming What's Mine

“You are the bug whisperer. A little lesson might do me some good. I haven't done this since we were kids, you have a kid, you must do this all the time.”

Blue stopped short and peered at me quietly over her shoulder. She didn't say anything, but it looked like she wanted to. I didn't press her, because honestly, I didn't really care. We would have plenty of time to talk, to fill in the blanks, to learn about the missing pieces between us.

But that wasn't important just yet. I wanted Blue to want me. I wanted Blue to need me. I wanted Blue to know that I wasn't going anywhere, not this time.

No matter who tried to push me away.

Chapter Twenty

Blue

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“You're still up.” Droppingmy purse on the nightstand by my bed, I kicked off my heels, and took out my earrings, setting them in the small dish on my dresser. “Grandma said you were sleeping.”

“Grandma fell asleep about an hour after you left.”

“That's comforting,” I said, softly laughing. “Maybe I should just have you watch her instead.”

“Don't worry, I do that already.” Peeking out from behind the top of her book, Bliss gave me a look that far out weighed her age in years. “You were out late.”

Holding up my hands, I waved the white flag. “Sorry.”

“I was worried.”

“You are a child, and there was nothing for you to worry about.”

“Well, you didn't tell me anything, and Grandma didn't know much about where you went tonight.” Cocking a brow, she set her book in her lap and glared at me. “I asked her and she just shrugged. Isn't it a rule that you're supposed to let people know where you are just in case?”

“What have you been watching?”

“I know things, Mom.”

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in. With tender fingers I played with her hair, running my nails through, and brushing her bangs out of her face.

“I was out with a friend.”

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