“Well, that timing worked out nicely,” I said.
“It sure did. I better get going. He’ll be here anytime now.” Violet leaned down and hugged Harper as I dried my hands with the dish towel.
“Good night, Vi. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I’m going to go look at my Pinkalicious books and see what else we can do.” Harper ran down the hall.
“Thanks for doing this for her party.” I held her gaze, because it meant a lot that she was stepping up for Harper.
“Of course. Harper’s my favorite. We’re going to knock it out of the park with the decor.” She walked backward toward the door.
“So, you’re going to go meet Daveed, huh?” I chuckled.
“Yep. Unless you don’t want me to go for some reason? Last chance to tell me if it bothers you.”
“Not going to happen, Firefly. I have far more restraint than you think I do.” I moved closer to her. “But you could just tell me you want to stay.”
“Please. I’m not even tempted.” She swiped her tongue along her bottom lip slowly. “Just concede. You know you want to.”
“Shit. I must have spilled some soup on my shirt,” I said, the lie slipping so easily from my lips. I reached over my head and tugged my hoodie off. My jeans were hanging low on my hips, and I tossed the sweatshirt on the table. “I’ll have to get some stain remover on that as soon as you leave.”
Her eyes widened as she took in my chest and my abdomen, raking me over like it was her day job. I didn’t miss the way her gaze scanned the tattoo across my chest.
Harper.
My little girl was my heart, my soul, and my reason.
This was my reminder.
“You play dirty, Charlie Huxley.” Violet’s voice was gruff.
“Maybe I like it dirty,” I said, leaning down and grazing my lips against the lobe of her ear. “Tell me you want me.”
“You say it first,” she whispered.
“Not going to happen.” I smirked. This game we were playing wasn’t smart. We both knew this couldn’t go anywhere. But that didn’t seem to stop either of us from having fun.
“Then I guess you and your blue balls can enjoy a cold shower, while I go enjoy some big balls on my hot soccer/basketball star.” She pulled back, a wicked grin on her face.
Loud laughter rumbled from deep in my chest. I couldn’t deny that I was laughing more since Violet moved into my guesthouse than I had in years. “You sure about that?”
“I’m sure, Charles,” she purred before stepping back. “Daveed is probably waiting for me now.”
“Have a good night, Firefly.”
She turned and walked toward the door before pausing and glancing over at me. “Do you think Harper’s mom is going to show up to her party?” she whispered, and the question caught me off guard because it was laced with concern.
I shrugged. “Not sure. We haven’t spoken. She usually just shows up on her birthday.”
Violet’s gaze narrowed as her hands landed on her hips. “She gets to just show up for a party and that’s it?”
“It’s complicated.” I cleared my throat, the topic making me uncomfortable.
“It’s selfish.” She shook her head. “She deserves better. Hell, you deserve better.”
And then she turned and walked out the door.
“Time for my bath.” Harper came around the corner, and she gaped at me. “Daddy, why are you naked on the top? Where’s your shirt?”
I chuckled. “I spilled some soup on my sweatshirt. I’m going to throw it in the wash.”
