Page 70 of Mr. Almost

Livvy shakes her head. “No, but I can tell from the way she asks for you first thing in the morning if she wakes up before you get to our place. Or in the way she reacts when I pick her up from day care without you. She loves you.”

“I love her too.”

Livvy’s eyes soften. “I know. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to your daughter and her wanting you around.”

“And what about her mother? Does she want me around?” I tease.

Livvy rolls her eyes, but the corners of her lips tip up. “Her mother is adjusting to having a man around the house to help.”

“Is she now…”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You like it.”

“I do.” Her little tongue sweeps across her bottom lip.

Fuck it.

I lean down and kiss her again.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” she muses.

Childlike laughter makes us turn our heads.

Ari is standing in front of us, bouncing on her toes with a smile on her face. “Did you just kiss Mommy?”

“I did. Is that okay?”

Ari giggles. “I think Mommy liked it.”

“Yeah, but did you like that I kissed Mommy?” I press as I hold Livvy a little tighter.

“Does this mean you two are together now like a real mommy and daddy?”

“Yes…” Livvy says hesitantly.

Ari’s eyes light up. “Then I love it. You can kiss anytime you want…but maybe wait until I’m not looking.”

“I’ll try my hardest to wait until you aren’t looking,” I say gravely, making her giggle again.

“Daddy, will you help me with the monkey bars?” she asks.

“Oh, I can help you, baby,” Livvy says as she starts to pull away from me.

Ari shakes her head. “I want Daddy to help me.”

I can’t help but puff out my chest a little bit. My girl wants my help and no one else’s. It’s a heady feeling.

“How about you go over there and grab us a couple of drinks?” I tell Livvy as I let her go and reach into my pocket.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” I tell her as I hand her my wallet.

“I have money, you know,” she says as she reluctantly takes it.

“I know you do, but why use yours if you can use mine?”

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