Page 20 of The Third Girl

Skylar’s gaze meets mine. “I don’t mind putting pizza onto a plate. Did you want the cheese or the pepperoni?”

“Pepperoni, please.”

“Two pepperoni coming right up.” She deftly puts a couple pieces onto a plate for me, then repeats the process for herself. She brings those to the table. “I saw Coke in there, would you like one?”

Shoot. She’s on top of things, already taking note of what we keep in the fridge and what we like on our pizza. My brows draw together. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

There must be something in my tone that she picks up on because she angles her head to the side as she brings the drinks back to the table with her, sits down, but waits until I look at her to speak. “Sorry. I figured it was best for Sailor if I jumped right in. Tell me if I’m pissing you off.”

I clear my throat, surprised by her direct communication. “It’s nothing you’re doing.” I squeeze my eyes shut. My voice is rough. “No, that’s not true. It is what you’re doing. But there’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing. It’s all me. I—” I stop, releasing a hard sigh. “I’m sorry. Let’s just eat, okay?”

Slowly she nods, and those green eyes scan my face. I don’t know what she’s looking for or what she sees. And I feel like a shit for making her feel like my surly attitude is her fault.

We eat quietly for a few minutes, and the longer the silence stretches, the worse I feel about it. I’m supposedly the mature adult here. Maybe I should say something more. And just as I’m about to do that, Sailor flings a piece of her pizza at me.

For a shocked second, I just stare at her before I gruffly command, “Sailor Jane. We don’t throw food.” My immediate response is perhaps a bit stern, and I know it for sure when tears well up in my baby girl’s eyes. I pick the pizza up off my lap where it’d landed and set it on my plate, my lips pressed tightly together.

“Sailor, the food tastes better if you put it in your tummy.” Skylar reaches over and pokes Sailor in the ribs, which always makes my daughter squeal and promptly forget that I barked at her. “Can you eat a piece for me? Look, I’ll eat it at the same time.” Skylar makes a big production of picking up the slice and opening her mouth wide, then chomping down on it.

And, I’ll be damned, Sailor picks up one of the cut-up squares of pizza—albeit with her hand—and shoves it into her mouth, chewing happily. They go on like that for several minutes, until Sailor has finished her food.

I pick up the container of wipes that I keep on the table and pull one out. “Show Daddy your messy fingers.” Sailor gives me a pout but holds her hands out while sneaking a look at Skylar, who gives her a conspiratorial wink and nods, as if to say to my daughter, It’s okay. Let him have this one.

With the hand-cleaning accomplished, I pick her up out of the high chair and set her down, briefly bending to kiss the top of her head, then stroking my hand over her hair. “Why don’t you go play with your toys for a few minutes, baby.”

She grins and races away, heading for the living room, half of which has become a colorful plastic explosion of her toys.

“She’ll be okay for a few minutes.” I clear my throat, taking a sip of my soda.

“Matt?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t feel bad for correcting her.”

I stare at her for a moment. “I don’t. I didn’t mean to make her cry, though.”

“I’m just saying, it’s easy for me to come in as the new friend and get her to eat her food without throwing it everywhere. Not so easy for Daddy. She’s her true self with you. Because she knows you love her unconditionally.”

“Right.” I blow out a breath. “Thanks for the reminder. Some days are easier than others.”

She smiles. “I’m sure. What time is bedtime?”

“Somewhere between six thirty and seven, depending on whether or not I’ve gotten a chance to wear her out. And then I try to get some sleep before I leave for work.” I shrug. “I thought it was best tonight if she understands you’re here before she goes to bed. That way, it won’t feel weird to her when she wakes up and you’re here. I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy.”

“No, I don’t think so.” She shakes her head. “I think it’s a good idea to get her used to me being around, even if I’ll only be here overnight with her for now.”

I scrub one hand through my hair, nodding. “So, a brief rundown. You’re welcome to any food in the house, and I don’t mind if you bring things over, either. You’re going to have to get breakfast for Sailor and yourself in the morning before you go to work, I guess. Let me know if there’s something I can add to my regular grocery list for you.”

She nods with a smile. “Will do. What else?”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d make sure to lock up behind me once I leave. I’d also prefer if you didn’t have people over, but that’s up for discussion.” My jaw tightens. “I don’t know if you have a boyfriend or—”

She cuts me off, laughing. “I don’t. Definitely not. I can promise you, it’ll only be me and Sailor here at all times, unless there’s some sort of an emergency. And if something were to happen, I’d likely call Laney, anyway, which I’m assuming is okay with you.”

“Yeah, of course.” I don’t know why I feel relieved to hear she doesn’t have a boyfriend. It’s none of my business. I stand up abruptly, needing a subject change. “Let’s check on Sailor. I told her a few times leading up to tonight that you were coming, and we talked about how she could show you her room.”

“I figured as much.” Skylar sets her napkin on her plate and stands.

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