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Daisy lifted a brow and leaned closer to the child, after shooting a quick glance at her father. “What’s Paw Patrol?” she asked, keeping her voice it’s normal pitch, but softening it a bit. It seemed appropriate, since Ginny was so delicate looking. “Is it a movie? A book? A show?”
r /> Ginny glanced at Mark, who nodded, and then back at Daisy. “A show.”
Her voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible.
“And it has cops in it? Like me?” she asked, pointing to her badge.
Warmth spread over Daisy as the little girl shifted closer, and nodded. “Can I please touch it?”
“Of course.” She slid out of her chair, forgetting all about her coffee, and knelt beside the child. She could feel Mark’s eyes on her the whole time. “Go on.”
Ginny touched it, then pulled away almost immediately, a small smile on her face. “Cold.”
“Yeah. It is. It’s metal.” She smiled back, reaching out and tucking the little girl’s hair behind her ear. It seemed so natural. So… God…so right. Just like everything else did with Mark. It was all so easy. So natural. Like it was meant to be. No, like they were meant to be. “But guess what?”
Ginny leaned closer. So did Mark. “What?”
“In the summer, in the sun? It gets really hot. It can burn my arm, if I’m not careful.”
Ginny’s attention fell to Daisy’s cast. “Is that why you have a boo boo?”
A laugh escaped her, and she shook her head. “No. I fell and broke my arm, but I’m getting the cast off today.” Daisy tapped Ginny’s nose then rose, going back to her seat. “Finally.”
As she sat, she checked her phone. She had a text from Tim. She’d run back home early this morning to get dressed, but had returned to meet Ginny properly, like Mark wanted. It had felt weird, telling Tim she was going to her boyfriend’s place to meet his kid.
Guess everything was out in the open now.
She’d have to tell Lauren, too. God, she’d never shut up about being right. Because she was. Mark was perfect for her. There was no denying that anymore.
Mark adjusted his suit jacket. “Do you need someone there with you? I can call out of work and go with you for support.”
“Nah, I’m leaving in…” She checked her phone. “Well, now, actually. I have to pick Tim up. We’re driving in together afterward, since it’s our first day back together.”
He stared. “You’re going back out already?”
“Once I have the okay from the doc? Yep.” She stood and finished off her coffee in one long drink. Caffeine was her drug of choice, thank you very much. “But until then, I’ll ride around with him. Get the feel of the streets again. You know. But it won’t take a long time to get clearance. I’ve been keeping up on everything I needed to, so I wouldn’t have any setbacks.”
He smiled, but it looked forced. “Awesome. I know how important this is to you, so I’m happy you’re going back.” He closed the distance between them, cradled her face, and kissed her forehead. Ginny watched with wide eyes. “Text me when you’re out of the doctor’s office? Let me know how it goes?”
A reluctant smile lifted the corners of her mouth up. “Are we that couple now? The kind that texts one another updates throughout the day?”
“Yep.” He leaned in, pressed his mouth to her ear, and whispered, “And dirty pictures. I welcome those any time of the day, too.”
She snorted. “Dream on, pal.”
“Oh, I will.” He pulled back, a mischievous glint in his eye chasing away any darkness that had been there moments before. He gave her a onceover that made her feel like he’d stripped her clothes off in front of Ginny. “I am.”
Her cheeks heated and she glanced down to make sure her uniform was still in place. “I see that,” she muttered. Stepping back, she offered Ginny one last smile, which the child shyly returned. “It was nice meeting you, Ginny. If you see a police car race by, maybe it’s me inside it. Wave just in case.”
The girl nodded enthusiastically and waved.
“Yep, just like that,” Daisy said, grinning.
Mark let go of her hand reluctantly. “Have a good first day back.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated. Were they the type of couple that spent every night together, or was she supposed to go home and wait to see what happened? If given the choice, she’d rather do away with those games and simply be with him. “See you later tonight? Or are you busy?”
He shook his head. “I’ll be here, with Ginny. Come by after work. We’ll cook for you. Ginny makes a mean spaghetti, don’t you, Ginny?”