Page 96 of Until Nalia
“Now, come here, sweetheart,” I order softly, and she shakes her head. “Come here,” I repeat, and she hesitantly gets off the bed and walks to me. “I’m sorry about your mom.” I pull her into my arms and hold her tight.
“She’s so stupid,” she chokes out.
“Love makes you act stupid, sweetheart. You’ll unfortunately figure that out for yourself someday.”
“I’m not going to be stupid enough to stay with a guy who is on a dating site while living with me.”
“I hope not.” I sigh, holding her tighter, my gaze landing on the woman still sitting on my daughter’s bed, watching us.
“I can’t believe that she is going to marry him.”
“That’s her decision, and unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it if that’s what she decides.”
“But I can decide I don’t want to be around him.”
“You can,” I agree, wondering what the fuck Kristy’s thinking with this bullshit. Things between her and the kids just started improving, and now, understanding what changed Billie’s mind about Aaron months ago, I get why she didn’t want to be around him.
And Nalia was right. Coop didn’t know about his dating profile, but he loves his sister, so when Billie decided that she didn’t like her mom's man, he went along with her. I just doubt there is going to be any way Billie will ever accept Aaron, and she will likely always assume that he’s up to no good, even if he’s not. And, again, Coop always having his sister’s back is going to act accordingly and I won’t blame him.
“Did you and Coop eat dinner yet?”
“No, we were trying to figure out what we were going to order for dinner when Mom told us about Aaron.”
“Does pizza sound good?”
“Yeah,” she mumbles. “Hawaiian.”
“You got it.” I kiss the top of her head. “Go on and wash your face and meet us downstairs, we’ll order dinner, watch a movie, and hang out.”
“Okay, Dad.” She lets me go and sends Nalia a sad smile before walking into the Jack and Jill bathroom between her bedroom and the guest room. Going downstairs with Nalia right behind me, I stop at the front door and look out at the kids. It’s starting to get a little dark, but they have a few minutes before the sun fully sets and the street lamps turn on.
“We’re going to order pizza,” I yell out at the two of them and they both stop mid run and look at me. “What kind do you want?”
“Pepperoni,” Zuri shouts.
“Cheese,” Coop yells.
“Got it.” I walk back into the house and go to the kitchen, where Nalia is standing with her purse in one hand and Zuri’s iPad in the other.
“What’s going on?” I ask her with a frown.
“I think Zuri and I should go and give you guys a little time alone.”
“You’re not leaving Nalia.”
“Really, Logan, after what happened, I think that…”
“Please don’t leave,” Billie’s voice cuts her off as she walks into the kitchen. Her face clean of the makeup that had stained under her eyes. “I like when you’re here, and so does Coop.”
“Honey,” Nalia whispers.
“Seriously, I’m not out numbered when you and Zuri are here, and it’s nice having you two around, please don’t leave.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She walks to the fridge and looks at me. “Can I invite Cat over, or should this just be a family night?”
Shit. I fight back the urge to laugh because she just threw down the gauntlet, and it’s obvious that Nalia sees it because her entire frame has gone still.
