“If you don’t mind. Sometimes it’s the best way to find something new that you like, trying someone else’s.” I take a small spoonful, and she watches me the whole time. “I might have to try that cookie dough next time. That’s a winner.”
A proud smile crosses her face, and she digs into her sundae.
I take peeks after every bite or two. She’s eating so fast I worry she’ll get a brain freeze, but I don’t say anything. I just enjoy sitting across from her, sharing ice cream with my daughter.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Delaney
“You’re going to wear out the carpeting,” Levi says, sprawled out on the couch. “It’s Bennett. She’s fine.”
I’ve almost bitten off all of my fingernails. This hour feels like a damn week. I wave him off, glancing out the window again.
“You act like he’s going to kidnap her. Maybe you should’ve done a swap. Like you take Wren, he takes Leia, for extra security.” He laughs to himself, his attention never leaving the television.
“I can’t believe you talked me into this. I could’ve kept this secret.”
He laughs. “You’re delusional. I bet half of Willowbrook is already talking about how much she looks like him.”
“You’re not being helpful.”
His feet drop to the floor. “Listen, don’t you feel better knowing it’s all out in the open? There are no more secrets to be discovered. I don’t see how you thought you’d ever get back with him while keeping the existence of his daughter from him.”
I stop and cross my arms. “Okay, we weren’t getting back together, and I wasn’t hiding.”
He quirks his eyebrow.
“It wasn’t like I was never going to tell him.”
His eyebrow grows higher. How does he do that?
“What are you looking for? A thank you?”
“That would be nice.” He relaxes back on the couch.
“Don’t you have your own place?”
“You don’t want to spend quality time with your brother?”
“Not when he’s calling me out on all my shit. Believe me, I will be paying back the favor.”
“Didn’t Mom tell you? I’m perfect.” He smiles wide, his two dimples shining proudly.
Headlights cast a glow on the front window, and I step forward.
“Don’t,” he says.
I whip back around. “Why not?”
“Let him get her out of the car and walk her up to the door.”
An aggravated sigh escapes me. “Since when did you become Dr. Phil?”
“Didn’t Mom tell you? I’m smarter than you.”
I flip him off, and he laughs. I stay hidden behind the window, watching Bennett climb out of his truck and help Leia out of the back seat.
She slips her hand into his as they walk to the door. She didn’t reach for his hand because Bennett offered, she did it on her own. Tears prick my eyes. She’s talking to him, and he’s staring down at her, laughing at whatever she’s saying.
