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Kylie thankfully fields the question. “Because she likes them that way, I suppose. Some people wear makeup, some people have surgeries done like that woman did to her lips. It’s all about preference. As long as you’re doing it because it’s what you want to do and not because you’re trying to change yourself to please someone else, that’s all that matters.”

“I like wearing makeup.”

I have to clench my teeth to keep from telling her she doesn’t need it. She’s only four.

“So do I, but I only put it on when I’m feeling fancy. I like the way I look without makeup on best.”

“I like my face without it too.” Luddy smiles at Kylie.

I swear, I’m the luckiest bastard in the whole world. Kylie just expertly taught my daughter that you don’t have to paint your face with a bunch of shit to be beautiful and no one else’s opinion matters but your own.

I would’ve stumbled through an awkward conversation, telling her she was beautiful no matter what. The message would’ve been the same, but Kylie’s delivery was much better than mine would’ve been.

The rest of our night goes perfectly. Luddy entertains us with more stories from her afternoon at Muriel and Stan’s house. We each have a piece of chocolate cake, and I get to finish Luddy’s when she gets too full.

By the time we’re in the truck and headed home, Luddy passes out in her seat almost immediately.

Reaching over the console, I grab Kylie’s hand. “Have you heard anything from Chris?”

“He’s left several messages and texts since he got served. It seems like his biggest issue with all of it is that he got served while at the office. Apparently, it embarrassed him, and I’m going to pay for that.”

“Pay for it how? He’s already cut off your access to the money you’re entitled to.”

Kylie shrugs. “I have no idea. He never says anything specific.”

My stomach tightens. “I don’t like that, Ladybug. If he’s spiraling, he could come after you.”

“He’s never physically hurt me, Gray. I’m not worried about that. Plus, he’d have to leave Seattle and his little circle of idiot friends to get to me. He won’t bother.”

I’m not so confident about that. Chris’s whole life is getting blown up right now. He’s losing the perfect image of a “family man” that he’s been trying to cultivate all these years. Kylie wasn’t supposed to go against him on anything. The fact that she’s standing up for herself won’t go over well. He’ll want to put her in her place somehow.

The question is, will it be through the lawyers or in person?

CHAPTER 23

Kylie

“Uncle Knox! Look at my princess dress.” London does a twirl in her Cinderella costume for Knox, who smiles indulgently at her. Halloween is actually next weekend, but we decided to have a bonfire at Knox and Farrah’s tonight. It gives the kids a reason to wear their costumes multiple times before trick-or-treating.

“You might be the prettiest princess at the whole ball.”

Luddy scrunches her face. “We’re at a party, not a ball.”

He coughs out a laugh. “You’re right about that, sweetheart. Finn’s in the living room decorating some paper pumpkins if you want to join him.”

She gasps and runs up the front porch to find Finn inside. Grayson gives Knox a critical look. “What are you supposed to be?”

Knox looks at himself and then raises an eyebrow as if it should be obvious. “A cowboy.”

Grayson’s eye roll could put a teenager’s to shame. “Laaaaaaame. That’s you every day. You’re just wearing your chaps now instead of taking them off when you’re done riding.”

Knox shoots him a smug smile. “Exactly. At least I don’t look like some pompous pretty boy.”

“You’re jealous of how well I pull off Prince Charming.” And boy, is Gray right. The old-fashioned white suit looks damn good on him. It was hard to keep things PG when I saw him in the full costume. I chose to be the Fairy Godmother. The dress is just as sparkly as London’s, with a full tulle skirt that I may have twirled in a time or two. Add in that my magic wand makes noise when I wave it, and I think this is the most fun I’ve had on Halloween in a long time.

Knox scoffs. “Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that. Hey, help me carry our stuff down to the bonfire pit.”

Grayson turns to me. “You good?”