Page 31 of Losing Faith

“What do you think?”

She taps her chin, a small smile on her face. “I need to get my notepad with the order for KC’s party.”

“That is a fact.” I nod once.

She goes off to get it in her bag, giggling quietly.

“You’re so strict with her.” Lisette bites back a smile and I get back to making dinner.

“I don’t think I’m necessarily strict. I’m parenting her.”

When I glance back at Lisette, she shrugs. “What would I know?”

My eyes squint as I study her before I turn to put the food on the stove. “Do you disagree with my parenting?” I voice, not offended, but simply wanting her opinion.

I think I’m doing just fine raising Isabelle alone, but she doesn’t have a woman figure other than my mom. I’m always open to parenting advice, especially from women.

“It’s not my place to disagree. I’m not her mother and I wouldn’tknowanything about parenting since I didn’t have a good one. I wasn’t judging if that’s how you took it.”

“I didn’t,” I clarify. “I just appreciate insight from women.” I turn back around and she nods.

“That’s great but my insight doesn’t count for much. Ask Vidia, she has a great relationship with her mom.” She shrugs.

I study her for a beat, and while I don’t know her very well, she seems to not care about much. I find myself envying that of her. She carries herself like she doesn’t have a care in the world, and granted, she doesn’t have the responsibility of a kid or job to worry about but still, the world feels so chaotic and she sits here like she’s just floating by.

“Okay.” Isabelle walks back in, pulling my eyes away from Lisette. “Should we start the cookies first or the cupcakes?”

Lisette uses her hands to gesture that she doesn’t know. “Well,duh, you’re the boss. You decide.”

I shake my head at her and she bites back a smile when Isabelle turns to me.

“What? Soshecan say it?” She looks between the two of us and I let out a defeated breath.

“You’re just like your brother, making my life hard.”

Lisette tries to bite back a laugh but a snort escapes her.

“She was joking,” I tell Isabelle. “Go ahead and tell her what to do, boss.”

She thankfully lets it go and starts bossing Lisette around the kitchen.

I don’t get more than fifteen minutes of peace when I hear Isabelle gasp and knowing it isn’t anything serious, I turn around slowly to peek at wherever they’re doing.

Lisette runs her finger along the edge of the bowl they’re mixing the cupcake mix in before dragging her tongue up her finger and as my eyes watch her movement, my heart rate quickens.

My eyes fall on her throat as she swallows. After a beat, her tongue darts out of her mouth, and again, she licks the last bit off her finger and I feel my face heat when her eyes meet mine, a smirk growing on her face.

“You’re looking at me like you want some.” She dips her finger in again before holding it out to me, and as I register she’s eating raw batter, I quickly wipe her hand, careful not to touch the batter with my bare hands

“You’re going to get sick.” I turn on my heels and I drop the napkin in the trash.

“Does it taste good?” Isabelle voices, and as I turn on my heels, she dips her finger in the bowl. I feel my eyes bulge as she tries to eat it and I quickly grab her hand to stop her.

“No!”

She slightly jumps and immediately my heart sinks for yelling.

“Sorry.” I kiss the top of her head before picking her up and rushing her to the sink. “I don’t want you to get sick, penguin. Please don’t touch or eat the raw batter.”

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