Page 134 of The Plan

“When the hell did you get this?” I walk around the car, admiring it and its red rims. I look up at her, and she smiles at me, holding out the keys.

“It’s yours.” What? My jaw drops a bit as I look between her and the car. She bought me acar?

“You’re lying.”

She drops her hand, pulling the key away from me.“Yeah, I am.”

I can’t help but laugh as I roll my eyes at her. “You asshole.”

She playfully shoves my shoulder. I wouldn’t accept this gift either way; I already have three cars.

“It’s a late birthday gift from my mom.”

I nod and lean against the hood. She walks over and lets me pull her between my legs. “So…” She starts playing with the belt of my pants like she’s trying to keep her hands busy, but then she freezes and drops her hands. I can’t help but snicker.

“You’re thinking dirty thoughts.”

She looks up at me, brows furrowed. “Am not.”

“Mhm.”

She rolls her eyes at me and smacks my hands from her waist. I place them at my side on the car instead and lean back a bit.

“You’re going to pick up Isabelle?” I give her a small nod. Since we were both at the game and couldn’t really watch Isabelle while we were here, I dropped her off at the same friend she had a playdate with yesterday.

I asked Jackson, of course, and he said it was fine as long as we got her as soon as we could. I don’t think I ever noticed how damn overprotective he is of his daughter until now, but I don’t blame him one bit. If anything, I admire him for that. He loves her, and you’d think parents shouldn’t be admired for that, but there are parents out there who treat their kids the complete opposite of how Jackson treats Isa.

“What are you going to do?”

She just shrugs and bites her lip in thought. “Going to my apartment, I guess.”

I nod again and tell her I can have someone take her things to her new place from storage. She thanks me and then shifts her weight on each foot like she wants to say something else, but instead of asking, I wait to see if she’ll tell me on her own.

“So,” she starts again. It’s obvious she wants to tell me something. She’s trying to communicate, and it’s cute, so I don’t help her. She’s got this. “Do you want to come see my new place?”

I study her for a second. I doubt that’s what she wanted to ask, but baby steps. “Yeah, sure.” I shrug and push myself off her car and check the time. “Do you mind picking up Isa? I need to shower and change out of my uniform, but I’ll just meet you at your place.” She nods, and I go get Isa’s car seat to put it in her car. I’m sure she’ll tell me whatever it is later.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Vidia

Ilike these.” Isa pointsat a very colorful bouquet of flowers. I think about getting them for a second, but they don’t seem right.

“Do you think Uncle Sigh will like them?” I ask her.

“I don’t think so.” She scrunches her little nose as she shakes her head. We keep walking around the flower shop, and I’m starting to wish I knew his favorite flowers.

“Wait.” Isabelle abruptly stops in her tracks, and I almost bump into her tiny frame. “Are we getting flowers for Uncle Sigh?” She looks up at me and turns her head in thought.

“Yup.” I think for a second, then ask, “Do you know his favorite flowers?” It’s probably a long shot, but she’s very observant, and this seems like something she would’ve asked him.

She taps her chin like she’s trying to remember, and I can’t help but smile at how cute she is. Spending these last few days with her has definitely shown me why Sire loves this little girl so much.

I watch her as she puts up one finger like she remembered. “Daffy Duck!”

I feel my eyebrows crease, and I turn my head a bit. Daffy Duck? After a few seconds, it hits me. “Do you mean Daffodils?”

“I think so?” Her shoulders slouch a bit. “I can’t remember, just yellow Daffy Duck flowers. He likes those ones.” Yeah, she means Daffodils. I give her a smile and then take her hand as we go search for them.

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