Page 29 of Losing Faith

I try my hardest not to laugh. “Come on.” I pinch her fat cheeks. “Try to figure out what the story is going to be about based on the pictures, then I’ll read it with you and we can figure out what they’re doing with this money.”

She caves and turns to the paper.

At the sound of footsteps, I turn just as Jackson walks in with a bouquet of flowers. I shake my head at him as I bite back a smile.

“Belle, we forgot to give Lissy her flowers.”

She puts a hand up as she focuses on her paper. “Daddy, you’re diracting me.”

“Distracting,” Jackson corrects her and she only nods as she examines the pictures.

I get up from my seat and walk over to him as he holds out the flowers, and I notice they’re crocheted.

“You said you don’t like things that don’t last.” He nods to the bouquet. “These will.”

My gaze meets his as a smile touches my lips. This is probably the nicest thing anyone has done for me, but there’s no way I’m going to say that and make this a sappy moment.

Instead, I take the flowers with a smile and say, “Is this the bribe or the thank you flowers?”

I look back up and a smile grows on his face. “The bribe. She doesn’t like her in-school tutor, so now I’m really desperate.”

“Don’t lose sleep over it.” I turn more serious. “I honestly like working with your daughter, you didn’t need to get me these.”

He shrugs. “Well, consider them a thank-you gift.”

I look down at them again, and a smile stretches on my face.

“I’m done with work, so I’m going to start cooking. You should stay for dinner. Consider it a part of my thank you gift,” he offers and I give him a knowing look as I tease him.

“Flowers and dinner?”

He shakes his head as he sees where this is going.

“I’m totally telling my brother you’re head over heels for me, JJ. I hope your daughter doesn’t have any more loose teeth.” I give him a stern look and he lets out a quiet laugh.

“Please don’t.” He rolls his eyes now. “He already told her about Santa and I’m still pissed about it. I need her to have the Tooth Fairy a little longer.”

My jaw slightly drops but he’s clearly serious. “He spoiled Santa for her?”

He nods before rolling his eyes again. “It was a while ago because I didn’t tell him Vidia was his new physical therapist. It was back when they weren’t on good terms.”

He reminds me of how Sire and V couldn’t stand each other when they were broken up, and with how they behave now, you would’ve never guessed they practically hated each other for four years.

“He’s such an asshole.”

I turn at the sound of a gasp and Isabelle has her eyes on me. She looks like she’s waiting for something, and when nothing happens, her brows furrow as she looks over at Jackson. “Daddy, tell her.”

I turn back to Jackson and he bites back a smile before he puts his dad face on, and I try my hardest not to laugh at whatever is happening.

“We don’t curse in this house, Lissy.”

I bite back a laugh. “I’m sorry.” I glance at Isabelle and she’s watching her dad for more.

“If it happens again, you can’t watch TV before bed.”

I nod in understanding. “I prefer doing other things before bed, but since I don’t want you to withhold that from me either, I’ll behave.”

His jaw slightly drops before he closes it and I bite my tongue when his cheeks slightly blush.

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