Page 78 of Summer Heat
"You're jumping too high again, missy.”
Maya just giggled. I was going to have to work on my stern voice before she became a teenager and started dating. When she looked up at her dad, her eyes lit up, and she ran toward him, pausing before she got to him.
She usually jumped into my arms, knowing I'd catch her. But it was interesting that she'd drawn up short with her father. Did she not trust that he'd catch her?
"She's all packed." Kinsley came down the stairs at a slower pace.
"She should be ready when I get here," Derek said stiffly, as if he had better things to do than wait around for his daughter to pack a bag.
"You know it's hectic after work. We had to cook dinner and eat," Kinsley said defensively.
I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting to see what Derek would say.
"Why don't you get in the car? I'll be right out," Derek said to Maya.
Kinsley hugged her tightly, reminding her to be good, then handed her the bag. At the last second, Maya ran over to me, and I dropped down to her level to give her a big hug. She pulled back, patting my cheek. "Be good."
"You be good too," I said, grateful my voice didn't waver.
My heart hurt when she walked outside.
"I saw the videos you're making of Maya online. Do you really think they are appropriate?"
Kinsley's forehead wrinkled. "They are renovation clips. Hardly anything to worry about."
"Shouldn't I get a say in where her photo appears?"
"Every sport I enroll her in requires me to sign away rights to any pictures that are taken. It's inevitable that she'll be included in something online by another parent or a friend. It's unavoidable these days, and as long as she'd not taking off her clothes, what does it matter?"
Derek blanched at that. "I should hope not."
"You'll remember that I make the decisions regarding her upbringing."
Derek's jaw tightened. "I could go to court and get it changed."
Kinsley maintained her calm expression. "You could try, but you won't win. I'm her primary caretaker. I've always been there for her, and I always will be. I'm a great mother, and you won't be able to prove otherwise."
Internally, I was cheering for her. I loved the confidence. She wasn't going to let this prick get to her.
"I don't like it."
"I thought the videos were sweet."
"Speaking of the videos, why is this guy spending so much time with my daughter?" Derek waved a hand at me.
"We live together at the moment, and he's been showing her useful skills, like how to tile a bathroom. He even got her tools."
"I show her how to do the simple stuff, and she always wears protective gear," I assured him.
"Maya's waiting for you outside," Kinsley gently prodded him.
He turned to go. "This isn't the end of it."
Kinsley merely sighed. "Of course not. Have a great weekend with Maya."
Derek grunted as he turned and walked out.
I let out the breath I'd been holding. "He's something else. He always talk to you like that?"
