Page 14 of Merry with a Brewmaster
“Do you think she’ll like me?”
Wringing her hands in her seat, she stares out her window, and my heart breaks a little in my chest.
“She’s going to love you.”
“But do you think she likes unicorns and soccer and things like that?”
Pulling into a spot, I put the car in park and unbuckle my seatbelt so I can turn and look at my daughter, her eyes so full of hope and wariness it guts me to my core. And I know in this moment, I’ll do everything I can to keep things between Vienna and me strictly professional.
Because I have to.
For Haven.
“Vienna is going to be excited to learn about all the things you’re excited about. I know she loves flowers and you know what else?”
“What?”
“That’s the most fun thing about meeting new people, isn’t it?” I ask. “Learning what they like and seeing what you have in common? I bet you two will have a lot in common,” I say confidently and she nods, her expression matching mine as she unbuckles and waits for me to open her door.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you fix my ponytail? I don’t want it to fall out.”
“Of course.”
Taking my time, I run my fingers through the cinnamon-colored strands, gathering them higher and making sure to get all the bumps out before tying the elastic tightly.
She beams when I give it a quick tug, the ritual less about her needing me to fix her hair and more about her knowing I’m here and we’re in this together.
Taking her hand, I lead her around the side of the building to the back where the playground is located. Vienna stands and smiles, a bouquet of pink gerbera daisies in her hand.
“You must be Haven,” she says sweetly as she bends down to look my daughter in the eye. “Your dad told me you like pink. I totally do too, and these are some of my favorites because they last a lot longer than other flowers, and I just think they look happy.”
Vienna blushes like she didn’t mean to ramble on, but Haven’s smile is wide and toothy as she takes the offered flowers and holds them against her chest.
“I love them,” she says before studying them. “They’re very happy.”
“Haven,” I gently remind her as she hands me the bouquet.
“Thank you,” she says, turning back to Vienna. “Do you like the monkey bars?”
“Definitely.”
I drop onto the bench that Vienna had vacated and watch as they run around the playground, giggling and just beingsilly.It’s a side of Vienna I hadn’t expected, but the longer I watch them, the more I know that she’s the perfect fit for Haven.
For us.
I ignore the little voice whispering sweet nothings in my mind because right now my daughter’s happiness is all that matters.
I let them play for a while before interrupting their fun and offering Haven her water bottle.
“Kiddo, I need to talk to Vienna for a couple minutes, all right?”
“Okay, but after that, can we go on the swings?”
“Definitely,” Vienna answers as she follows me back to the bench. “She’s amazing.” The awe in her voice has me turning my head to look at her.
