Page 7

Sinclair

T he school day was over, and it was that sweet spot where the building was full of end-of-day chaos mixed with joy.

I straightened the papers on my desk and gave my classroom a quick look to make sure no one had forgotten anything important.

It was mostly clear aside from a few hidden candy wrappers and rubber bands, so I headed back to my desk.

“Miss Bronson?”

I smiled at the sound of Dani’s voice, sweet and hesitant. “What’s up, Dani?”

Her lips tugged into a grin. “My dad found a therapist and I’ve been talking to her.”

“That’s really good, I’m proud of you. How’s it going?” This little girl had no idea just how strong she was.

Her little shoulders rose and then fell in a nonchalant shrug. “I like it, but it feels weird just talking about myself all the time.”

I laughed. “Sometimes that’s okay because sometimes it’s about you.”

“It’s not selfish?”

“If working on yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself is selfish, I say embrace that.” I leaned in close. “Kind of like reading. I don’t do it to help anyone or to make the world a better place. I do it because I enjoy it. Some might say that’s selfish.”

“But reading is so fun,” she insisted.

“Exactly.”

“I have breathing exercises to help,” she began, and looked around the room, “when I feel overwhelmed.”

My heart swelled with pride for a child that wasn’t mine. This was what drew me to teaching, the chance to help kids in ways big and small. Whether it was a few words of encouragement or figuring out basic arithmetic, it was its own kind of magic. “That’s awesome, Dani. Good for you.”

She smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Miss Bronson. I think you’re why my dad hung out with me this weekend.”

I shook my head. “No way, I think you are.”

She shook her head. “I had fun.”

“That’s what matters.” I stood and escorted Dani out of the building where the pickup line had finally started to dwindle.

The buses were gone and all that was left were working parents rushing to beat traffic to pick up their kids, and in some cases nannies and babysitters.

“Dads sometimes have a rough go of it with little girls,” I told her.

“They don’t know what to do with us, so it takes them a little bit longer. ”

Dani giggled. “Okay.”

Dagger walked across the parking lot like he owned the place, all broad shoulders and swaggering confidence. It was impossible to look away from the figure he cut in well-worn denim and a bicep-hugging t-shirt. “Ladies.” His deep voice was smooth like honey but dipped in a big vat of aged whiskey.

“Dad,” Dani began in confusion. “What are you doing here? Did something happen to Callie?”

The panic in her voice was alarming, and I instinctively placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Callie’s fine,” he answered, sounding a bit distracted as he glanced around the parking lot.

I saw the flash of hurt cross Dani’s face at his tone. My heart ached for the little girl. I had to do more for her. If I could, I wouldn’t let Dani grow up feeling unwanted, like an afterthought.

Dagger’s gaze finally landed on me once he’d finished scanning the parking lot. “Good afternoon, Miss Bronson.”

“Mr. Kane,” I replied coolly. Dammit, why did his gaze have to be so hot and so searing? I hated that my body lit up when he was around. He might have been the sexiest man I’d ever seen, but I’d had enough of macho assholes.

“Ready?” he asked Dani.

She nodded silently and fixed her gaze on the hot pink sneakers she wore.

I glared at him before kneeling down to look Dani in her eyes. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Dani. I can tell you’re happier and lighter now.” I hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Remember what I said about Dads.”

She let out a watery laugh. “I will.”

“Okay then, have a good evening, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Miss Bronson.” Dani waved cheerily and stepped beside her father, but the gap between them might as well have been an ocean. Neither of them talked nor looked at each other.

It wasn’t just sad, it was like a glimpse into the past. It was me and my own father—except he’d always been too busy to pick me up from school. There was always some game to bet on, some new casino that called to him and his alleged hot streak. There was always something more important than me.

Everything else had been more important than me after Mom was gone. I hadn’t mattered.

I couldn’t let Dani grow up feeling like that.

I had to help her, which meant I had to help her sexy, grumpy daddy.