I snake an arm around her waist and pull her close. “The only thing I want are my girls here with me, so I can soak up as much of the two of you as I can before I go on the road.”
“Yeah?” I can hear the hope in her voice.
“Yes. Pick up Princess P and get your asses here as soon as you can. I’ll grab dinner on my way home.”
“I thought we would just throw something on the grill?”
“I’m thinking P would like some cheese pizza more.”
“You can’t be spoiling her,” she says with a stern voice. One that doesn’t faze me.
“Sure I can. She’s my princess.” I kiss her nose and release her from my hold. “I gotta go. I’ll see you tonight.” A quick kiss to her lips and I’m walking away from her toward the bedroom door.
“Wait!” she calls out. “I’m almost done. I’ll come with you.” She rushes to grab her clothes and stuff them back in her bag.
“It’s fine. You have some time yet. I’ll check the patio and front doors. Just make sure you shut the garage door with the opener I gave you and it’s all good.” I stalk back to her, because I can, and kiss her one more time. “Have a good day, Ris.” With that, I hustle out of the room, grab my keys and wallet, and rush out the door.
Twenty minutes later, I’m walking into the locker room still wearing a shit-eating grin.
“What’s got you looking like you just hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth?” Drew asks, taking a seat on the bench next to me.
“What? Can a guy not have a good day?”
“Sure he can, but that”—he points to the grin I can’t seem to control—“is more than just a good day.”
I nod. “Life is good, my man. Just living the dream.”
He studies me, and a slow grin tilts his lips. “Larissa.”
“A gentleman never tells,” I chide, placing my phone, keys, and wallet in my locker.
“Since when?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Since Larissa,” I confess.
“No shit.” He smacks his hand on my shoulder. “You finally wore her down?”
“Finally,” I agree. For a while there, I wasn’t sure she was ever going to give me a chance.
“You ready for all that? She’s a mom, East.”
“I’m ready,” I assure him. I have zero fears about the fact that Larissa is a single mom. Hell, if anything, it endears her to me even more. I know what single moms go through, the fight to make ends meet, the struggle to be both parents. She’s one of the strongest women I know.
He nods, and that ends our conversation. He knows me. I’m a man of my word. If I’m in, I’m in, and when it comes to Larissa and Paisley, there is no other way to be.
Today seems as if it’s dragging by. I know it’s because of the anticipation of seeing Easton again. It’s scary and exciting. I still worry about Paisley getting too attached, but I can’t protect her from life. I wish that I could, but I know the reality is if I do that, she’ll never be prepared to be on her own one day. One day, far, far away that I don’t want to think about.
“Hey,” Chloe greets me. “You been here all day?”
“Yeah, I had the early shift. I have an hour to go,” I say, looking at my watch.
“Rough day?” She laughs.
“Actually, no we’ve been steady. I’m just ready to go.”
“Uh-huh. And why is that? You got a hot date?”
“I’m picking P up at Mom’s right after work.”