Page 54 of Losing Faith

He nods in return. “Shaken up but she’s fine. I think me nearly killing Chase scared her more than he did, but she’s still talking to me, so I guess that’s a good sign.”

There’s a knock on my door before Isabelle walks in wearing a new costume. “Can we make my hair black for this costume?”

I open my mouth but quickly shut it when I realize she cut her damn hair.

Chapter Eighteen

Jackson

“Alright,penguin.”Ituckmywallet into my back pocket as I hand the bag to Isabelle. “Are we missing anything else?”

She peeks into the shopping bag as I guide her towards the exit. “Candles, pumpkin carving kit, trick-or-treating bags.” She nods at my bag. “And the pumpkins. I think that’s everything.”

“Okie dokie. Did you pick a movie or is it my turn tonight?” I take a hold of her hand as I walk across the parking lot.

“You can pick.” She shrugs before kissing my hand and my heart melts.

“My sweet girl.” I lift her into my arms, blowing a raspberry in her neck. She laughs up a storm as I reach the car.

“We should invite Lissy to our date night.” She lights up as I slip her into her car seat.

I smile at how obsessed she is with Lisette. Recently, everything she does she wants to do with her.

“It’s not a tutoring day, princess.” I strap her into her seat.

“Do we only get to see her on tutoring days?”

I pause as I realize she’s right. “Touché.” I shrug. I almost make up another excuse, but she looks so damn excited and like always, I cave. “I’ll call her.”

“Perfect.” She takes the pumpkins from me before hugging them and I kiss her fat cheeks.

Shutting the door, I let out a defeated breath. I haven’t seen Lisette since apple picking when she shamelessly rubbed her ass on me before saying shelovesmy kid.

I’m nevernotin control of my feelings. I always have a plan for things, and I certainly never break the rules, but Lisette and all of her damn laughs are knocking me off my axis.

When I climb into the front seat, Belle is quick to make me call Lisette before driving off. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t also want to see her and spend all night carving pumpkins while listening to her jokes. I do. Desperately so, I just don’t like not being in control and Lisette… she makes mewantto lose control.

I realized at apple picking that being around her is so refreshing. For a long time my world has been so chaotic. My OCD makes it feel that way, and being a dad before all else sure doesn’t leave room to take in the small things outside of my daughter’s life. I didn’t mind that until I realized the small things I wasn’t noticing; Lisette reminds me of them.

Her beauty is the kind that makes you do a double take when you’re walking down a busy road. Her inappropriate comments are the kind that are worth getting in trouble for. And her smile stops the chaos.

I’m fucked.

I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing my palm against my forehead as I realize just how fucked I am and just how badly her brother is going to kick my ass.

“Daddy?” Belle pulls me out of my thoughts. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m calling right now, penguin.” I shake my head of my thoughts and pull out my phone. I hit her name before I can think twice about it.

After a few rings, she answers. “What’s up, JJ?”

I smile at her nickname for me. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Oh, you know…” she drawls. “Thinking about how hot blondes are.”

I roll my eyes at her, but a light blush heats my face. “You’re very full of yourself.”

“Ugh, I know right? Want to fill me with something else?”

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