She followed me to the laundry room, and I tossed it in the washer, even though there was no stain on it.
“And I’m not naked, baby girl. I’ve got my pants on.” I reached for her hand and led her down the hallway before stopping in her bathroom and turning the water on in the tub.
Once the water was deep enough, I turned off the faucet, and she stepped into the bathtub. I dropped to sit on the toilet as she told me all about her day. But I couldn’t get Violet’s question about Caroline out of my head, even though I tried to shake it off.
“I can’t believe Violet’s going to make me the prettiest party I ever had.” She chuckled. Her cheeks were pink, and she had some bubbles on the tip of her nose.
“That’s nice of her, huh?” I pushed to move closer to the tub before tipping her head back and using the spray hose to wash her hair. We had our routine, and she didn’t fight me on it. I handed her a washcloth to hold over her face to keep the suds away.
“Yes. I wish she didn’t have to move back to her house,” Harper said. “I like having her here.”
“We do just fine on our own, Harps.” I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. I hated the thought that I was failing her in some way. She only had me. A grumpy asshole who didn’t have a clue what he was doing half the time. “And you’ll still see her. She only lives a few blocks away.”
“But she won’t come make eggs in the morning. And she won’t come over for dinner.” She frowned.
“Maybe we can invite her over sometime,” I groaned. “Now let’s talk about your party. Are you excited?”
“I’m so excited. I can’t wait to put on my new pink dress you got me. Do you think you can paint my nails before the party?”
“I’m sure I can figure it out,” I said, pushing to my feet and grabbing a towel for her, because she was ready to get out. I didn’t have a fucking clue how to paint tiny fingernails.
Harper stepped out of the tub, and I wrapped her up in the towel before lifting her and setting her to sit on the sink and drying her long hair with another towel. I brushed through the tangles in her hair until it was all free of any knots.
“Do you think Caroline will come to my party this year?” she asked, meeting my gaze in the mirror.
“Do you want Caroline to come to your party?”
“I’d like everyone to come to my party. But I don’t really remember Caroline anymore. But I do remember she had pretty fingernails.”
My ex was always pampering herself. We had nothing in common, even back before Harper came into the world. She was rich and spoiled and selfish.
But she was also the mother of my baby girl, and because of that, she’d always get a pass.
Even if this arrangement of ours wasn’t making a whole lot of sense anymore.
I’d do whatever I could to keep the peace.
As long as I had Harper, nothing else really mattered.
Chapter Thirteen
Violet
I’d just said goodbye to Montana and made sure she hurried down the driveway keeping her hoodie over her head, just in case Charlie was watching.
My best friend had made fun of me for sneaking her into my place to make it look like I had a man over.
I knew he was onto me, but I wasn’t going to give it up just yet.
I poured myself a glass of wine and slipped into the bathtub. The hot water was heavenly, and I reached for my phone when it vibrated.
Charles: I see your lover just left.
Me: Stalker.
Charles: Hey, you had me at two-time professional athlete and supermodel. I thought I might be able to get his autograph. Maybe even a selfie.
My head tipped back in laughter. Charlie would never in a million years take a selfie, nor did he strike me as someone who would fanboy over a professional athlete.
