Page 51 of Blade

She pulls out a clip. “If you just lift some of the front of my hair, you can clip it on top with this.”

“Got it.” I gather the front, brush it away from her face, and add the clip. “How’d I do?”

“You’re a professional now. Thank you.”

I take her hand and lead her back to the kitchen. “I made us a casserole. I think it has only things in it you like. I’ll bake it during your first class so you can eat dinner in between.”

“Sounds good.”

I lift her onto a stool at the island. She still has some time before her first class. “How about something to drink and a small snack? You’re running on nothing but smoothie.”

“Cheese and crackers?”

“Sounds like a plan. Apples, too?”

“Will you cut them up?”

“What kind of a Daddy would I be if I didn’t cut up my girl’s apples?”

I like how she watches me move around the kitchen. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Do you think Simone is Little?”

I set a plate and a sippy cup in front of June and lean over the side of the island, resting on my elbows. “What makes you say that, Little one?”

She shrugs. “When I was at their house the other night before you came to get me, I noticed she had some of the things you’ve bought me. I think she tried to hide them while I was there.”

I smile. “She is Little, honey.”

“Does that mean Professor Arnalt is her Daddy?”

“He is,” I confirm.

“She gave me her number, and I gave her mine.” June picks at the corner of a piece of cheese.

“How about if I call Camden and see if he could bring Simone over tomorrow? I’m sure she’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. She seems like a very sweet girl.”

“Do you know her?”

“Not well, but I’ve seen her many times at the club I belong to. She and Camden are both members at Surrender.”

“I think I’d like that. Maybe if I spent some time around someone else who’s Little, I could understand better and feel less weird.”

“You’re definitely not weird, June. And there’s no one-size-fits-all, so don’t worry about being anyone but yourself.” I lift one of the squares of cheese, stack it on a cracker, and hold it to her lips. “Eat, Little one. You need more calories in your tummy.”

She lurches forward and bites off half the cracker so fast she nearly takes my fingers with it. Crumbs fall from her lips as she giggles.

“Now you’re a shark?” I ask.

She nods. “Watch out. I’ll get you with my shark teeth.” She swallows and then leans toward me, chomping them.

My heart is so fucking full.

Eighteen

June