“I was scawed, but Daddy said you got the doo-a open. Thank you.”
Abby blinks quickly and nods. “I’m just happy we got there when we did.”
Paige motions to their small dining room table. “Do you want to join us for dinner?”
I hold up my hand. “That’s okay. You guys enjoy it.”
Hazel races up to me and tugs my arm. When I lean over, she whispers in my ear, “Can we stay, Daddy? I want pizza.”
I distinctly remember her saying she did not want pizza an hour ago when I ordered it. Before I can respond, Paige pulls out a chair. “Sure thing, Hazel. Grab a seat. The more the merrier. Right, Abby?”
Abby’s eyes meet mine and then dart away. “Of course.”
I try not to be disappointed that Abigail isn’t enthusiastic to see me. I can’t blame her. I haven’t been the friendliest.
My daughter clambers into a chair, but she’s too short to reach the table, so I scoop her up and put her in my lap. “That better?”
She nods. “Thanks, Daddy.”
Paige hands us paper plates and sits across from us, and Abby takes the chair next to her. Then Paige growls. “Where are my manners? What would you like to drink?”
“We’ll take water, thanks.” I lean over and grab a napkin and tuck it in my daughter’s t-shirt. Otherwise, I’ll be scrubbing marinara out of it later.
Abigail serves my daughter and then moves the box to me so I can grab my own. When she leans over to get her own slice, I notice tape on the corner of her glasses and bruises. Lots of them.
I motion to her arms. “Are those bruises from hopping through the window?”
She shrugs. “Yeah.”
“Jesus, Abby, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
Paige returns with four waters. “That’s nothing. You should see her stomach and hips. The poor girl is black and blue.”
Abigail glares at her roommate. “I’m fine. Really.”
If I hadn’t come over here tonight, I never would’ve known she got hurt. Everything in me wants to march to the other side of the table and see where else she’s injured, but I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t welcome the attention. “Abby, how can I make this up to you? Do you need to see a doctor? I can pay for that.”
“The bruises will heal. Nothing internal hurts.” She takes a bite of her pizza and mumbles, “Except my pride.”
I glance down at my daughter, who’s happily munching away, and debate what to say. “It’s just… the way you slid down the glass… looked painful.” I’d just handed the firefighter my keys when she went flying over the ledge.
Abby freezes and her cheeks turn bright red. “You saw that?”
Shit. I had to open my big mouth. “I thought you noticed me in the window.”
“Without my glasses I couldn’t see much. They fell behind the couch. I thought you were a firefighter. You know, someone I’d never have to see again, so I wouldn’t have to crawl under a rock.”
I chuckle. “You were really brave. I never would’ve thought to try that window. How the hell did you get up there?”
Hazel tugs on my arm. “Daddy, you said hell.”
“Sorry, kiddo. How the heck did you get up there?”
Abby takes a sip of water. “Your nanny gave me a boost, so I wiggled through, got stuck, then slid tits first.”
Paige chokes on her drink. “Okay, I have to say it. You’ve just beaten my most embarrassing story. And hey, look on the bright side, babe. At least those firefighters have been blowing up your phone all week.”
Abigail snorts. “I already dated an elite athlete. No way will I go out with a firefighter.”
