Page 30 of Love Me Not

“This one’s for you!”

Bella stabbed her fork into a pancake that looked nothing like the cartoon mouse.Probably because there was a huge bite taken out of it.

“Can you help me eat it?I’m stuffed,” I said and patted my belly.“I had a very yummy green smoothie.”

Bella made a gagging noise.“Gross!”

She took no time shoving the rest of the pancake into her mouth.I could see that she was still eyeing the sweet treat.Bella was trying to be nice, but I could see how much she actually wanted it.I didn't really have a green smoothie, nor was I one of those who enjoyed it, but I would feel like shit if I took her pancake.

“You’re early,” Lux noted.When I looked at her, her eyes were already digging into mine.

“I wanted to spend some time learning the morning routine,” I replied with a smile.“Plus, I hate being anything other than early.Even being on time stresses me out.”

Lux made a noise deep in her throat before turning back to her iPad.

Okay…

“Are we wearing our princess pajamas to school today?”I said to Bella, noticing her wild hair and clothes.

We had time, but not enough to wrestle her into something else if she chose to be difficult.

“No!”It came out as an offended gasp before she started shoving food into her mouth.I couldn’t help but smile at her haste.

“How about I do your hair while you finish?”I offered.

Her eyes widened, and she nodded.

“Do you know how to do fishtail braids?”

“Do I know?”I scoffed.“You’re looking at the world’s best braider.French, fish, double-crossed with a bow, I can do them all!”

Her smile got wider and wider.I took it as my cue to go to her room and nab the brush.There was no spray bottle, but I’d make do with the kitchen sink.I needed to get one and some leave-in conditioner since Lux was severely lacking hair products.

“We’re going with a fishtail then?”I asked as I came back and stood behind her, lightly fanning out her hair to see the damage.

“Two, please!”

I started by brushing it a little, but there was a stubborn part that just kept sticking up, so I wet my hands at the kitchen sink.Once I patted the water into the affected spot, it was easier to manipulate her hair into a braid.As crazy as it looked, she didn’t have too many knots, which I was grateful for.

“Oh, shoot!I forgot the hair ties,” I muttered as I got to the end of one.

“I’ll get it,” Lux said, standing.I shot her a smile.

“The small clear ones, if you have them.Or maybe a bow.Would you like that?”

I leaned over to see a frown on Bella’s face.

“We don’t have bows,” she replied with a pout.

Ah, I see.Lux wasn’t really attuned to little girl needs.

“No problem.Lux can get me what you have, and maybe after school you and I can go on a hair tie and bow shopping spree?”

Lux came back with the hair ties, and once I had Bella’s braid done, something else was handed to me.

A shiny black card.

“Use this today,” she said, her voice low.I looked up at her, shocked.

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