“Said the ax murderer’s mother,” I bite back.
She laughs. “You know better than that.”
She’s right, I do. There is just something about him, this feeling I get when he’s around that I know deep in my bones he’s a good guy. I would never let him get this close to Paisley otherwise. “Still,” I try to argue.
“Stop.” Chloe whispers something then comes back on the line. “You sound happy, Larissa. For the first time in a long time, I hear hope in your voice. Sure, you risk both of you getting hurt, but life can be painful. That little girl is stronger than what you give her credit for. She’s just like her mama.”
“I need to go,” I say, wanting to go to them.
“Call me later.”
“Yeah, let me get P home and in bed.” We end the call, and I stand to go find them. What I find has a few more of the bricks around my heart crumbling to the ground. Easton is sitting behind one of those NASCAR driving games with Paisley in his lap, hands clutching the steering wheel.
“Turn to the left,” he tells her, laughing as they crash into a wall. “Your other left.”
“I don’t know which way that is.” She giggles. Her laughter is infectious, and I feel a smile spreading across my lips. An outsider looking in would never know that she’s not his daughter. They both have dark brown eyes, their hair’s an even match for color, and the way he is with her, that alone speaks volumes to me. I stand there and watch them laugh and cut up until the game ends. When Easton climbs out from behind the wheel, Paisley is in his arms, and he places her on his hip. She rests her head on his shoulder, and it takes everything in me not to let the sob that’s clogging my throat break free.
“Hey, there’s Mommy,” he says softly to her.
“You about ready, kiddo? It’s been a long day for you,” I say, pushing her hair back from her eyes.
“Can East come too?” she asks.
He looks at me, hope brewing in his eyes.
“Maybe another time. We need to get you a bath and into bed.”
“You promise?” she asks, pulling at my heartstrings.
Easton reaches out and grabs my hand. “I’ll call your mom, and we’ll figure out when I can see you again, okay, princess?”
“Okay,” she readily agrees with him.
“I’ll take her.” I hold my arms out.
“I got her. I paid the check, so we should be good to go. Do you have what you need?” he asks me.
“Yes.”
He laces his fingers through mine, and that’s how we leave the restaurant. At my car, I unlock the door and hold my arms out for P.
“I’ve got her,” he says, setting her in her seat. “Princess, how do you work this thing?” I hear him ask, and she giggles.
“Not like that, East. It goes like this,” she explains.
“Are you sure?” His tone is playful.
“Y-yes.” She giggles again.
“Thank you for hanging out with me today.”
“Thank you too,” she says with a yawn.
They mumble a few more words before he stands and shuts the door. He reaches for my hand, and I don’t have it in me to pull away. “She’s a great kid,” he says, his voice low.
“Thank you.” I push the words past my lips.
“Can I see the two of you again?” he asks. I must not hide the shocked expression very well, because he continues. “I like you, Larissa. I want to explore that, and she’s a part of you, a package deal, the icing on the cake so to speak.”
“Not a deal breaker?” I ask him, holding my breath.
“No.” His answer is short and firm. “Can I have your number? I’ll call you tomorrow, and we can make plans.”
I nod, taking his offered phone and typing in my number before handing it back to him. Quickly, his fingers fly across the screen, and I feel my phone vibrate in my purse. “Now you have my number, you know, in case you tossed it in the trash the last time. I want you to use it, Larissa. Call me anytime for any reason.”
“Thank you for today. For being so great with her.” I don’t tell him that the piece of paper that fell out of the menu is tucked away in my wallet. I couldn’t seem to make myself throw it away.
“The pleasure was all mine.” He steps into me until there is barely any space between us. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he says, leaning in and pressing his lips to my forehead. I trample down the disappointment that his lips didn’t press to mine. Stepping back, he opens the door for me and waits until I’m inside and driving away before he makes his way to his truck. I watch him in the mirror, sneaking glances until I can no longer see him.