Page 59 of Of Course, Cutie
Tanya smiled. “I don’t need to ask that. My Charlie-girl is special. I know exactly why you fell for her.”
I met Tanya’s gaze and nodded. “She’s perfect.”
“As long as you know that and promise to take good care of her, I have nothing to worry about.”
“I promise.”
Tanya patted my arm. “Good. I think we’re going to be all right here, then.” She walked toward the living room. “Kids! Come eat!”
Charlie rushed into the kitchen first, her pretty blue eyes filled with concern. Evan and Bea followed, bickering, and Sienna brought up the rear with Sophia in her arms.
Charlie hurried over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I kissed the top of her head and said, “We’re all good, cutie.”
Charlie let out a sigh of relief. “Thank god. Did she grill you?”
I smiled and shook my head as I filled the bowls with chili. “No, Charlie. Things are going to work out fine.”
Charlie gave me her soft, sweet smile, and it hit me right in the chest. Her family accepted me — at least for the most part. Cutie really could be mine.
???
“Charlie!” Tess practically screamed and jumped up from her seat when we walked into the Mexican restaurant. My daughter raced over and flung herself into Charlie’s arms.
Charlie laughed and sank to her knees, closing her eyes and hugging Tess tight. “Oh, sweet girl! I missed you!”
“I missed you, too. Did my daddy say sorry? Are you still mad at him?”
“He did. I’m not mad anymore.” Charlie smiled and ran her fingers through Tess’s hair.
“Charlie?” Tess cocked her head to the side.
“What’s up, Tess?”
“Do you love my daddy? Like prince and princess love?”
Charlie glanced up at me and smiled. “Yeah, Tess. Is that okay with you?”
She grinned and nodded. “My mommy doesn’t love him anymore, but someone should. Will you love him forever?”
“I will.”
“Good.” Tess took Charlie’s hand and tugged her toward the table. “You can sit by me!”
I watched my two favorite girls walking hand-in-hand through the restaurant and felt a flood of emotion. Charlie slipped so effortlessly into Tess’s heart and mine. She slipped right in and filled a hole that’d been there all my life.
When we reached the table, Lexi stood and scanned Charlie from head to toe. Then she turned to me and rolled her eyes. “Are you serious, Burke?”
Her boyfriend, Scott, stood too. He had short dark hair and wore a button-down shirt tucked into his dress pants. He looked like a passive fucking tool.
I ignored Lexi and shook her boyfriend’s hand. “Scott.”
“Burke, I’m glad we could finally do this. It’s needed to happen for some time, for our Tess.”
Our Tess? I took a deep breath. “Right.” I glanced over at my ex-wife. “Lex, this is Charlie, my girlfriend. Charlie, this is Lexi, Tess’s mom.”
Charlie smiled politely. “Lexi, nice to meet you. I can see why Tess is so beautiful.”
I smiled at Charlie as we took our seats and picked up our menus. I knew she would have rather slapped Lexi than compliment her.
