Page 103 of Sins of the Father

“Okay.”

The car pulls up to the building, and I get out. I sneak into the house, but Harper isn’t anywhere. I finally find her in Quinn’s closet. “What do you think I can squeeze my body in, huh, sweet girl? Auntie Harper doesn’t have as small of a booty as your mommy, do I? Hmm?”

“Thank the Lord because I love your booty,” I tease her and slip my hand around her waist.

She jumps then spins and slaps me playfully in the chest. “You scared me half to death!”

“Sorry.” I hand her the flowers and kiss her cheek. “These are for you.” I take Hope from her. “Hey, sweetheart. Did you have a good day?”

Hope squeezes my nose and laughs.

“What is with you and my nose lately?”

She does it again, and I swing her in the air.

“These are gorgeous. I’ve never seen green roses before.”

“The florist said they are one of the oldest roses.”

“Wow. I never knew they even existed. Thank you.”

Hope yanks a fistful of my hair.

“Ouch.”

Harper holds a satin navy dress up to her and scrunches her face. “Nope.”

“What are you doing?”

“I need a dress for tomorrow. Hey, what are you doing home so early?”

“Couldn’t concentrate after your office visit.”

Harper winces. “Sorry.”

I lean into her ear. “I’m not. And I’m still going to make you scream tonight.”

Her face flushes.

Hope twists my nose.

“Ouch. You’ve gotta stop that.”

Hope giggles and reaches again, but I duck.

I grab Harper’s hand. “Okay, come on. Let’s go.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“To get a dress.”

“Steven, you’ve already bailed me out of all my problems today. I’ll figure out the dress, and if I don’t fit into anything of Quinn’s, I’ll see what Vivian has. I think her booty is more my size anyway.”

I continue to drag her out of the room. “Humor me. You try on dresses, Hope and I will be the judges.”

“Steven—”

“You only need a dress because I’m being forced to go to this horrible event. I’m buying you a dress. End of story. What do we need to pack in the diaper bag?”

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