Page 71 of Single Mom's Daddies
“Nope.”
He goes quiet for a beat. “I’ll be there in the morning. You get some sleep, Saffron. You can’t help her if you don’t help yourself.”
“I know.”
He lowers his voice. “I’m proud of you, baby girl. Always will be.”
I swallow hard. “Thanks, Grampa.”
He hangs up first. He always does. He says it’s easier for me that way. But it never is.
I stare at the phone for a long time after the call ends. There’s no one else I want to talk to—but I know there’s someone Ishould. So I scroll to Lolita’s name.
She answers on the first ring like she’s been waiting for this. “Okay, bitch. Give me the rundown.”
I smile despite everything. “Hi to you too.”
“Don’t play. You don’t call, don’t text, and it’s been weeks, and out of the blue, here you are? You know better. Spill.”
I sit up and pull my knees to my chest. “I’m living in one of the guest cottages. They offered more money than I’ve ever seen in my life.”
She whistles. “Girl, you really don’t do anything halfway, do you?”
“They’re not what I expected.”
“Bratvaneverare.”
“They’re intense. But the kids love me.”
Lolita’s tone softens. “And how’s Ivy doing?”
I hesitate. “She’s not here yet.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“She’s okay?”
“Stable. But not strong enough for a transplant. The doctor said she dropped down the list.”
I can hear Lolita swallow. “I’m so sorry, babe.”
“She was so excited to come here, and now…she’s still there.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No. It’s not.”
There’s a pause. “You want me to come out there?”
“If you have the time. She’d love to see you.”
“She loves me because I sneak her candy.”
“Which you’re not doing this time.”
“I said she loves me. I didn’t say I’d stop.”
