Page 55 of Losing Faith

I open my mouth but nothing comes out as the tips of my ears heat. On the other end, she barks up a laugh.

“Dirty, dirty mind you have. I meantfood. I’m starving.”

“Right.” I clear my throat. “Listen, Belle and I do these date nights every week. Today we’re carving pumpkins and watching Halloween movies. We wanted to know if you’re free to join? I’m picking up pizza.” I tap my steering wheel as I wait for her answer.

“You do daddy-daughter date nights every week?” It sounds like she’s smiling on the other end.

I shrug as I sink into my seat. “Yeah, I’m raising a girl in a world filled with bare minimum boys. I want her to have high standards and be unimpressed by little boys who believe in splitting bills.”

She takes a beat to respond and I find myself tapping my steering wheel again.

“That’s… so damn sweet. I’m free tonight, but I don’t want to bother by intruding?”

I roll my eyes at her. “We’reinvitingyou. Don’t be silly, you could never bother us. Should we pick you up?” I put my seat belt on before starting the car.

“I’ll meet you at your place.”

We end on that and as soon as I hang up, Isabelle speaks up from behind me. “Is she coming?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Yes!” She fist bumps the air and I can’t help but laugh.

I’m adding a few morespider webs in the kitchen as Isabelle inspects my every move.

“Here you go.” She holds a bowl of plastic spiders to me. “Add some right there.” She gestures to the cabinet above me.

“Baby, you know Halloween is in five days, yeah?” I really don’t see the point in adding more decorations when the month is nearly over, but she’s a little crazy over holidays, so I don’t voice my thoughts.

“I know, we’resobehind.” She shakes her head at me. “These spiders should’ve been up Octoberfirst.” She rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe you forgot them.” She holds the bowl closer to me when I don’t take the creepy things.

I didn’t forget them, I hid them because I hate spiders. All my life I’ve been able to avoid hanging them up, but earlier this month, she snuck them into the shopping cart and swiped it when I wasn’t looking at self checkout.

She looks like she’s waiting, but I’m saved by the bell when someone knocks. I literally jump off of the counter. “I’ll get it.” I move around her and the bowl of nasty insects.

When I open the door, Lisette smiles up at me. “No suit and tie?” She gives my jeans and T-shirt a once over before nodding in approval.

“No oversized hoodie?” I glance down at her cropped top and plaid pajama pants.

“Well, I was under the impression that this was a date. These are my best pants.” She rolls her eyes playfully and I bite back a laugh. “Or does daddy-daughter dates plus me no longer make it a date?” She walks in before turning to me.

I close the door instead of answering her, giving myself time to figure out if she’s really flirting or joking. “It’s still a date.” I turn on my heels and take her hand. “I appreciate the pants.” Slowly, I bring it to my mouth and when I kiss her, she breaks into a laugh before pulling away.

“Well, now I have to burn my hand.” She rubs my kiss away on her shirt.

I watch her with a smile as she walks further into the house.

“Is that Lissy?” Isabelle calls out before her head pops out from the kitchen.

“The one and only.” Lisette calls back. “What’s up, kiddo?”

“Iloveyour shirt.” Belle walks over and hugs her side. “We’re putting up decorations.” She tries to hand the bowl of spiders to me again, but I don’t take them.

When I hear Lisette giggle, my eyes pull away from the fake bugs and up to her.

“Are you afraid of spiders?” she teases.

I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m a grown man.” I roll my eyes at her. “The only thing I’m scared of is harm coming to my child and torture interrogations… and raw food. And hospitals, but—”

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