Page 155 of Losing Faith

“Who’s there?” Sire answers.

“Cow says.” Belle giggles.

Sire nods at me and I roll my eyes at him as I entertain his joke.

“Cow says who?” I mumble.

“No, you fucking dumbass, cow saysmoo.” Isabelle is hysterical in my arms and I can’t help but laugh.

“Thank you for that, Sire.” I set my daughter down and nod behind me. “I made breakfast, can you add whipped cream and syrup to our pancakes?”

She nods and kisses her uncle goodbye before heading off to the kitchen.

When Sire looks at me again, his smile fades. “Is my sister here?”

I nod slowly, trying not to give away just how bad she’s doing because I don’t want to worry him. He still looks tired from watching her the other night and I feel bad for leaving Isabelle with him, knowing she probably woke him up early.

“She okay?” He watches me carefully.

A smirk pulls at my lips. “She slept real good,” I tease, hoping it’ll distract him, and it sure does.

His jaw ticks. “Let’s ask Belle to tell you one more joke.”

“No more. Goodbye.” I try to close the door, but he puts his hand up before his eyes harden on me.

“I’m not going to do the whole intimidating brother thing because outside of my family, you know me better than anyone.” He watches me carefully. “I like you a lot.” He seems to be giving up now. “Don’t fuck this up because I would hate to make your daughter an orphan and lose my best friend.”

I bite back my smile. “That’s not going to happen. I told you I got her.”

He watches me carefully before nodding.

“I didn’t sleep with her,” I reassure him, not wanting to be any more on his bad side than I already am.

He offers me his hand and a smile creeps onto my face as I do our handshake, accepting this as his silent approval.

After bidding him goodbye, I head to the kitchen for my kid and her sailor of a tongue.

“How was it with Uncle Sigh, other than the cursing?” I ask Belle as I lift her into my arms again.

“It wasgreat. We made snowmen out of marshmallows, then ate them.”

“Before bed?” I ask and she nods, watching me carefully for a reaction. “Whose idea was that?” I ask casually as I grab both of our plates, shaking my head at how much syrup she put on her plate.

“I can’t remember.” She shrugs, whipped cream on the corner of her mouth and a smile touches my lips.

“Can’t remember, huh?” I tease, stealing a kiss on her cheek. “You’re so precious.”

“Why thank you.” She smiles brightly and I kiss her again before heading out of the kitchen.

“Guess who’s here,” I whisper.

Her entire face lights up. “KC?” she says her best friend’s name and I stifle a laugh as I tell her to guess again. She taps her chin before her brows shoot up. “Lissy?”

“Yup.” I nod as we climb the steps.

“This is the perfect time for her to be here.”

“Is that so?”

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