AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know you miss him when he’s not here. But he’s working right now.”
“I know. I just wanted to spend more time with him.”
“Then you and I wouldn’t spend so much time together.” I poked her belly, making her giggle. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, Lissie. You’re being crazy. I’m saying I wantPapito be with me and you. The three of us playing together all the time.”
Her sweetness warmed my heart. “I’d like that very much.” I snuggled with her, trying to come up with a way for that to happen. I hoped Danny wouldn’t be mad. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s stop by your daddy’s work. We can talk to him for a while if he isn’t busy, then you and I will go to Beans to eat sweet things while talking to April.”
“Yeah! Let’s go.” She jumped up and ran to her bedroom.
“No need to run,” I called after her, sounding just like her father. I knew I was in trouble when I realized even saying something like he did made me happy.
I informed Sonia of our plans, and Sofia and I headed to the temporary base of Bryants & Walker. I’d never been to the original building, although I knew it was big. But since what had happened months before, they were still renovating the space while being—as Danny used to say—cramped up in the damn little box.
We arrived at the company and were met by Haley at the reception. “Hi, girls. What a nice surprise.” Despite her constant sad eyes, she was always the sweetest one in the group.
“Hi, Ms. Haley.” Fee ran to hug the woman. “Is Gabe here?”
“I have a fewsomeoneswho will love to see you’re here.” Right on cue, I heardtippity-tapscoming from one of the rooms when a big, furry, golden creature appeared to lick half of Fee’s face.
Sofie giggled the whole time, not caring about the attack she was enduring.
“Calm down, Hugo. Geez.” Mia pulled him away by his collar, but the good boy was intent on giving more puppy-kisses to a laughing Fee.
She stood up and I giggled at her shirt, with a pictured of a cow and written “I’m not in the moooood.”
“Gabe, come here,” she called over her shoulder and turned to Fee. “Gimme a hug, munchkin.”
Sofia jumped into her open arms. “Hi, Auntie Mia.”
“I missed you, girl. Are you here to work with us? I have a lot of documents for you to fill out.”
The little girl giggled, playing with Mia’s dark hair. “No, silly. I can’t work yet, I’m a child.”
Mia scrunched her nose. “Are you sure? So, who’s going to deal with all that paper?” She tapped a finger to her chin, then whispered dramatically, “I’m going to leave them at Uncle Ben’s desk. He won’t even notice.”
As Sofia laughed with her little hands covering her mouth in conspiracy, her best friend came storming from the corridor.
“Fee!”
“Gabe!”
They hugged each other tightly and started babbling non-stop, while Hugo pranced around them.
Haley watched the kids with a smile on her face. “It’s so nice that you’re here. Danny’s going to love it.”
“Do you think so? I don’t want to bother him, but Fee missed him, and I decided to make a quick stop.”
“Feemissed him, huh?” Mia smiled at me mischievously, and Haley stifled a giggle.Do they know?
“We’re happy for you guys,” Haley answered my silent question.
I knew how important those people were to Danny, and how close they were, so the fact that they approved of us and were happy for our—apparently already known—relationship meant more than I could describe.
I was still savoring that knowledge when Danny and Ben—him holding Teddy as the little guy gobbled a bottle—came from one of the offices to see the reason for so much noise.
As soon as he spotted me, Danny’s eyes seemed to light up, and he gave me a striking smile. I forgot about our companion and smiled back with no restraint.
