“May I get down, please, Daddy?” I ask.
“What nice manners, Little one,” he says as he pulls my chair out and unfastens me before lifting me to my feet. He kisses my neck, takes my hand, and leads me toward the door to the apartment.
I smooth my dress down. It’s short but not as short as some of the dresses Daddy has hung up on what is now my side of his closet. He even let me pick it out this morning.
I shouldn’t be concerned. Not about the dress. Millions of women wear dresses like this out in public every day. It’s a simple baby-doll dress. Pale green with smocking. It flares out under my breasts and lands a few inches below my butt. Thin spaghetti straps are tied at my shoulders, but they aren’t holding it up. It wouldn’t fall without them. The top is tight enough, sort of like a tube top. My panties match, so if anyone gets a glimpse, they might not realize it.
Daddy opens the door, and I flinch when the elevator opens. Silly since I was expecting it.
I spent quite a bit of time with Simone the other evening after Daddy’s SUV blew up. Professor Arnalt was kind enough to take me to their home and keep me safe while we waited for Daddy to sort things out with the police.
Daddy…
The word is rolling around in my mind. I certainly wasn’t thinking of him as anything other than Blade that day.
Simone has a tight grip on Professor Arnalt’s arm as they step into the apartment. She’s wearing the most adorable outfit—a pink dress with pink patent-leather boots. She has low pigtails with pink ribbons. This is not a side of her she shared with me at her house.
“Welcome,” Daddy says, shaking Professor Arnalt’s hand. “Glad you could come over. June’s been slightly isolated. She could use some companionship.”
Simone beams. “Oh, I love that dress. You look so pretty.”
“You do, too.” I point at her boots. “Those are so cute.”
“Thank you.”
I turn toward her Daddy. My cheeks heat. It’s weird knowing him in this different situation. “Professor Arnalt…”
He chuckles. “Please, June, call me Camden. I won’t be teaching any classes today.”
That’s going to be weird. Until a few days ago, I don’t think I would have remembered his first name. I certainly wouldn’t have called him that, not even behind his back. He’s always been Professor Arnalt to me.
Simone giggles. “Trust me. I know it’s weird. I was in his classes for four years. I still have trouble thinking of him as anything other than my professor. I practically skipped Camden and went straight for Daddy.”
Blade pats my back. “Why don’t you show Simone your rooms? Maybe she can help you decide on some décor.”
“Okay.” I nod over my shoulder.
Simone skips along beside me as we head toward the hallway.
“Careful, naughty girl,” Camden warns. His words startle me, but when I turn to look at him, he’s eyeing Simone with an odd, light-hearted combination of both laughter and admonishment. I’m not sure what to make of it.
“Daddy… I’m not running. See? Skipping.”
When I realize what their banter is about, I relax.
“Sheesh,” she mutters as soon as we step into my office.
“I guess he doesn’t allow you to run?”
“No running in the house,” she singsongs. Then she giggles. Finally, she points toward my brace. “How’s your arm?”
“It’s okay. It’s still sore, but it feels better every day. I’m just glad they didn’t have to put a plaster cast on.”
“That is nice. I’m sure those are itchy.” She looks around. “I, uh, love what you’ve done with the place.”
I laugh. The only thing in this room is a desk, an empty bookshelf, and a chair. It looks ridiculous, and the room seems huge with only this sparse furniture. “Apparently, I’m supposed to choose things and order more, but I haven’t had time yet. Plus, I’m still reeling from everything.”
I lead her through the adjoining door to the other room.
