Page 38 of Detention with Daddies

Ruby pops her headphones on, and I link my fingers together with Olivia’s on the drive.

“What’s she listening to?”

“A new audiobook.”

“Ooo, ammo to talk to her about at dinner.”

How does this woman always give me the perfect response? I lift her knuckles to my mouth for a soft kiss.

“So, my sister isn’t a chef at the top restaurant in the city, but she is pretty good. Homestyle. I think you’ll like her cooking.” I wink at her.

Her laughter is soft and delightful. “I’m not a food snob.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.” She knocks into my shoulder with hers, and I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I do with her. “So, who else is going to be there? Am I going to meet your parents?”

“Yeah. They’ll be there. That isn’t a problem, is it?”

“Just a very serious step, you know. Do you have intentions that I’m not aware of?”

“I’m going to let you in on a secret. I like being around you.” I take a peek at her when we hit a stop sign.

Olivia bats her lashes at me. “I like being around you too. That doesn’t make this any less…intense?”

“I’m telling you. There’s no pressure here. You’ve already impressed the most important person in my life.” I toss my head back to indicate my daughter.

“I’ve impressed her?” She lowers her voice. “Was it the cheesecake bites?”

I laugh. “She hasn’t even tasted them yet.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

I shake my head and squeeze her hand. “I think it’s more that you listen and engage with her rather than running her over because she’s a kid.”

Olivia gasps dramatically. “She is a teenager. How do you get away with calling her a kid and not having her hate you?”

My face hurts from how much she makes me laugh. “Like I repeatedly tell her, she’s my kid. My baby. And she always will be.”

“Good save.”

We arrive at my sister’s house, and I don’t want to let go of her hand, but I do. Ruby is smiling up at Olivia when I round the car.

“So, what book are you listening to?” Olivia asks my daughter, who makes a face that would normally shut down my line of questioning.

“It’s this book my friends convinced me to read:A Court of Thorns and Roses?” Ruby squints up at Olivia. “Have you read it?”

“I have, but what do you think?” What a pro this woman is.

Ruby shrugs, head tipping from side to side. “I don’t know. I don’t connect with the main character. It’s?—”

My daughter sighs.

“Yeah?”

“It’s just not great? I’m trying to keep an open mind.”

“Sounds like a good idea. I hear book two is better.”

---