Page 27 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
I playfully mushed her. “Whatever, lil’ girl.”
“Why are you in such a good mood? I thought you’d be at the house relaxing on your day off.”
“I can’t have a good day?”
She gave me a small smile. “Daddy, the only people you smile at like this are me, Granny, Kacie, and Aunt Asia. It’s a woman, isn’t it?”
I laughed. “Wow.”
“It’s okay to date, you know. Obviously, you and mom aren’t getting back together.” She reached out and grabbed my hand. “I want you to be happy.”
I kissed her hand. “I am happy, baby. I’ve got you. Nothing makes me happier than being your father, even when you’re being a brat.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand that you’re growing up and you’re going through a lot of changes. Just… don’t grow up too fast, okay? Be my little girl a little while longer. I miss the days of you playing dress up and having tea parties with your Barbie dolls.”
She giggled. “I’m too old for that now, Daddy.”
“I know. I know. I worked a lot when you were younger, Jamari. I feel like I missed a few things at times, and I don’t wanna miss anything else.”
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You’re a great father. I complain, but I know how lucky I am to have you.”
“Thank you, baby.”
“Sooo… why are you in such a good mood?”
“Again, I can’t be in a good mood?”
“Yeah, but I feel like something happened.” She gasped. “And you never answered my question. Is it a woman?”
I laughed. “Why does it have to be that?”
“Because you have that same goofy look on your face that Auntie Asia has around Uncle Johnathan.”
I chuckled. My sister was head over heels in love with her husband and shedidget this goofy look when he was around.
“Ididmeet someone,” I confirmed. “I don’t know if it will go anywhere, but I’m interested.”
Jamari smiled. “I hope it does. You deserve someone and I’m open to a stepmama. I just hope she can handle mama.”
“You let me worry about your mama.”
“I really hate when you guys fight, Daddy. It makes things awkward for me. I’ve heard her trash talking you to her friends because you won’t take her back and I don’t like that. I know you aren’t perfect, but she broke up our family.”
I reeled in my anger. Jamari might catch us arguing, but I never spoke ill of her mother in front of her. My daughter was old enough to understand why we were no longer together, so I told her the truth when she asked. It seemed the more I learned about my ex-wife after our divorce, the more I wish I’d never approached her at all. It was sad that all the good years we had together were now overshadowed by her bullshit.
“I hate for you to see us fight and I apologize for that, Mari. I promise, from here on out, you won’t have to see it. I’ll do everything I can to protect you from that.”
“Thank you.” She sighed heavily. “So, tell me about this woman.”
A smile slowly spread across my face as I began telling her about Wynter.
I knew more than I did in the beginning, but there was still so much more to learn. She told me earlier that she was leaving to go home after the house was cleaned out. With her bedroom being the last one, I was sure that meant her departure would be soon. Luckily, we’d exchanged numbers, so I could still contact her.
She didn’t know it yet, but I had plans to actively pursue her.
I hoped she was ready for that because once I locked in on something, I didn’t give up so easily.
