Page 33 of A Daddy to Love

“Sometimes. I love it, though. I got my accountant’s license when I was twenty-two. It pays well enough that I could afford this little place. Do you like it?”

Kairo glanced around, smiling. “It’s cozy and comfortable and you live here. So I love it.”

That was about the nicest answer I ever could have expected.

“It’s my pleasure to share it with you.”

He looked up at me. “What? What does that mean?”

“I mean, I want you to come over again. Spend the night again.”

He sat up, his legs sliding over the edge of the couch. “Oh. Yes. I definitely want to. But I should go.”

So soon? Don’t push, I reminded myself. “All right. But come back, won’t you?”

His bright blue eyes sparkled at me. “Soon?”

“Tonight, if you want to.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

His laugh fizzled through the air. “I want to. Tonight I swear to everything I love, Pinkster and Virgil and Raspberry to name a few, I don’t have any plans tonight.”

“Who are they?”

“You know who Pinkster is, Daddy.”

“I do.”

“Virgil is my butterfly. And Raspberry is my teddy bear, the only toy I came with when I went to live at Grandfather’s.”

“Your butterfly’s name is Virgil?”

He nodded.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It just came into my mind. I’m weird.”

“Not to me. Can we do our dinner out tonight, then?” I asked.

“Oh boy! That would be fun!”

“Six o’clock.” I wanted him earlier but I also wanted to give him time to reflect and not feel pressured.

“That’s good. I won’t be late, I promise.” He put his hand over his heart.

Suddenly, I remembered late last night he’d been dropped off. “I can give you a ride home, baby.”

Quickly—too quickly—he blurted. “Oh no. No. I’ll take an Uber.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure. I want to. When I don’t drive myself, that’s how I like it.”

“Well, I am a good driver.”