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I look over in DJ’s direction, who is looking at us with a confused look on her face.
“I think we’ll have to ask Emsley’s sister again, princess. And today might not be the best day,” I answer.
“Tomorrow then? Please!” She hits me with her puppy dog eyes and my heart melts. Damn this little girl, she has me wrapped around her finger.
“Okay, but only if DJ says it’s okay.” I look in Emsley’s direction to make sure she knows we have to go ask her sister and we head in that direction.
DJ is repositioning her sister’s backpack on her shoulder as we approach.
“So, the girls would like to know if we can have a playdate tomorrow at my place.” I throw the idea out there and wait for her to answer. At this point, it’s just us out here. Everyone else has already cleared out.
DJ shuffles in her position before answering.
“I’m not sure. We’ll have to check with Mama, Em,” she replies and both girls sigh in defeat.
“Well, why don’t you text me when you figure it out,” I say. “Can I see your phone?” I ask. She stares at me for a second, her green eyes going still but, all the while, keeping me captivated.
“So I can give you my number.”
“Oh, yeah. Umm…” She reaches into the pocket of her sweats and pulls out her phone before handing it to me.
I type in my number and name, then hand back the phone to her.
“There. Text me whenever and we’ll arrange something.” I smile at her as I help Aria get her backpack back on. “See you tomorrow, Emsley.”
I wave at her before turning to DJ who is looking down at her little sister, seemingly avoiding eye contact with me, and that’s okay with me because those green eyes are stirring something deep inside me. Something that I’m not sure I’m ready to let conjure. So, I turn around and leave.
three
Dakota
“Mama!Mama!CanIplease have a play date tomorrow? Please! Pleeeaaasseee!!” Em runs through the front door, throwing herMy Little Ponybackpack on the floor and rushing to my mom who is surprisingly sitting upright on the couch today. But we’re both stopped in our tracks when we see him. Dexter. Emsley’s dad.
“Daddy!” Em changes directions and runs toward her dad.
Dexter and my mom were not a thing for long. She slipped up after she fell into her depression and fucked around with some dude she met at a bar. It was one night, maybe a few more. But it turned into me having a little sister. They’re not together…or at least that I know of. But he’s always been there for her and my little sister. We don’t know each other very well, but he loves my sister and that’s all I can ask for.
“Hey, Dex,” I greet him as I kick my shoes off by the front door.
“What’s this talk about a playdate?” he asks Em as he pulls her away from the bear hug she locked him into.
“DJ and Aria’s dad said we can play at his house tomorrow! I really wanna play with her. She has a pool!”
“A whole swimming pool?” Dexter jokes with her as she smiles and bounces up and down.
“Please, Mommy. Please!” Em turns to our mom who is barely smiling but it’s brighter than it was yesterday.
“I don’t see why not. But it’s up to DJ. She’d be the one who’d have to take you.”
I look between the sets of eyes now staring at me. The fucking pressure. But it’s Em’s big eyes that get to me the most. Though I knew I’d most likely be the one to have to take her, it still doesn’t mean I really want to.
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” I finally answer and Emsley loses it.
“Yayyyy! Thanks DJ! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” She squeezes my legs between her little arms and my heart melts as I smile down at her.
“But we need to be on our best behavior,” I warn her and she smiles in agreement.
“I’ll be the bestest ever!” she adds before running off to her room.
