Page 28

N ASH

We stayed later than I expected at Walker and Riley’s last night, and since I’m hosting a party this afternoon, I didn’t ask Kendall to come over. Not that I didn’t want her to.

On the bright side, she offered to come over early and watch Paisley while I go to practice so she and her friends can start preparations for the party.

My one assignment is to show up and not be a party pooper. Kendall’s words to me this morning as I left. I was hoping for a goodbye kiss or even a little groping, but with Paisley glued to her side, none of that was happening.

I didn’t see Bankes or Buck much at practice since they worked on offensive plays and defense had their own talking to.

Los Angeles’s offense is strong, and they’re going to challenge our D-line.

Their quarterback is quick on his feet and gets rid of the ball in less than three seconds.

It doesn’t give our defense much time to read the play.

But we’re feeling confident after this morning’s film and new drills.

Coach lets us leave a little after noon since we have to be back at the ass crack of dawn for our flight tomorrow.

I pull into the garage and can hear music and laughter before I even open the door to the mudroom.

No one notices me as I take in the scene in the kitchen.

Kendall twirls Paisley as they dance to the kids pop music Paisley loves so much.

Her poofy pink dress puffs out in a billowy cloud and Kendall films it all with her phone.

Pink and purple streamers hang from the kitchen and family room ceiling, and a rainbow of balloons in the same color create an archway between the informal family room and the formal space at the front of the house.

Pink and purple tablecloths are stretched over the kitchen table where fruit skewers, juice boxes, and popcorn are neatly set out in more pink and purple platters.

In only a few hours, Kendall has transformed my house into my little girl’s dream party. My dad opens the door to the basement carrying an old-fashioned ice cream maker I forgot I had.

“Let me help.” I take the box from him. “Why did you haul this out? We haven’t used it since Anna and I were kids.”

“Kendall and your mother were talking about an ice cream bar on the phone this morning when she called about the party, and I reminded her of this old baby.” He pats the box. “Your mom went out to get more toppings.”

Shit. I never told them about the party. “Sorry, Dad. It all came to be last minute. I didn’t mean to not invite you.”

He waves a hand in the air. “No apology needed. Kendall explained. She’s amazing with Paisley. Your mother and I approve.”

“What? Oh, no.” I shake my head. “We’re just, uh, friends.”

“Hm.” Ignoring my dad’s accurate perception, I move past him and place the ice cream maker on the counter by the sink.

Paisley notices me and screams, “Daddy!” She rushes into my legs and holds on tight like I haven’t seen her in months instead of hours. “It’s my birthday!”

“Happy birthday, Sweet Pea.” I pick her up and she kisses my face. “You look very pretty, but you always do. Is this a new dress?”

Her hair is neatly twisted in the fancy braids she loves, no doubt by Kendall.

“It’s my most favoritest princess dress ever.” She wiggles out of my arms and twirls.

I don’t remember the dress hanging in her closet. Even though she has dozens, I’d remember something as extravagant as this one.

Kendall has been taking pictures and puts her phone away. “You’re home earlier than expected. We still have a few more things to set up. Paisley wanted to do a craft project with everyone.”

“And an extravagant ice cream bar, I heard.”

“We added a few more toppings to the list.”

“ We or the birthday girl?” Paisley hasn’t stopped twirling, and I’m getting dizzy watching her. She’s in her own little princess world right now.

“Maybe a little of both. I like extra whipped cream. I’ve been known to be creative with it.” The corner of her mouth lifts.

I glance over at my father. He’s fiddling with the ice cream maker and reading through the manual. I’m sure he’ll read it cover to cover, twice, before starting it up.

I drop my voice, “Is hot fudge on the list?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’ve been known to be creative too.”

Kendall’s green eyes shimmer with amusement.

“Daddy, watch. Record me on your phone,” my spoiled little birthday girl demands.

Like a dutiful father, I obey. “Did Grammy and Grampy give you an early birthday present?”

“No. It’s from Miss Kendall.”

I snap my eyes at Kendall, who is beaming with pride at my daughter. I’ve purchased enough dresses for Paisley to know this one isn’t an affordable one from Target.

“How did you find time to get all of this? The decorations, setting everything up, and buying Paisley a present?”

“I got her the dress a while ago. I knew her birthday was coming up.”

“How did you know?”

Kendall rolls her eyes. “I have access to all my students’ information.”

“Do you buy dresses for every student on their birthday?”

She steps closer and tips her mouth to my ear and whispers, “No. Just the ones whose father I’m fucking.”

The doorbell rings and she sashays past me to the front of the house to answer it. Like she fucking owns the place. And I’m not mad about it.

Ho-ly. Fuck. I discreetly adjust myself while filming Paisley. Thankfully, she’s in her own little world and isn’t paying attention to me.

Hell, if I wasn’t already in danger of falling for Kendall, this just sealed the deal. Not the fuck talk or the images of whipped cream covering her tits, but that she gave up her Saturday to pull off a last minute party for my daughter. And by the looks of it, she held nothing back.

I worried about dating a woman because I didn’t want anyone around my daughter who wouldn’t love her as much as I do.

And now I’m worried that I found her.

The woman who loves my daughter. The woman my daughter loves.

And the woman I could see myself loving too.

THERE WAS NO TIME FOR me to process my feelings for Kendall. My mom returned with two shopping bags full of toppings, and I helped my father start the ice cream maker. Then Buck, Jackson, and Taylor arrived bearing gifts that were bigger than Paisley.

Apparently Riley met Kendall and Paisley at Target this morning and came over to help prep food, then went back home to wait for Walker. Rowan came by for cake and ice cream but had to leave to work a double.

Twenty-four hours ago, these people had never met Paisley, and today they gave up their free time to celebrate her sixth birthday. They sat around the table and made crafts—customized crowns that everyone wore during dinner and dessert.

They played pin the crown on the ballerina and painted mini unicorns, a gift from Jackson and Taylor for the entire party. We cleared a space for the pinata, which the adults had to play blindfolded, on our knees, and with one hand behind our backs.

I may have mentioned to Kendall that the next time I have her naked, she’ll be blindfolded, on her knees, and both hands tied behind her back.

I then drizzled an extra heaping of hot fudge on her sundae.

The way she choked on her ice cream and the pink hue of her cheeks made me want to kick everyone out so I could have my way with her.

The sun set an hour ago, and I come back inside from walking my parents to their car, looking for Kendall.

She’s in the kitchen finishing the dishes, even though I told her a hundred times I’d clean up.

Buck and Paisley are curled up like best buds on a ridiculously enormous purple unicorn bean bag chair watching the end of a Disney movie.

The fact that it can hold Miles Buckingham is mind boggling.

I haven’t a fucking clue how he found it between the time we left Walker’s last night, practice this morning, and the party this afternoon.

Who would have thought the man slut with the dirty mouth would be a marshmallow around a six year-old?

Six years. I can’t believe my little girl is getting so old. Not gonna lie, I choked up something fierce on her first day of kindergarten. It sucked not being in town on her first day. It didn’t seem to faze her, but it broke my heart not being there for the milestone.

Buck stretches his giant limbs. “I like to be the one to shut the party down, but I’m afraid I’m gonna have to peace out. I don’t see Kendall Cakes leaving anytime soon.”

He’s dropped subtle and not-so-subtle hints all evening about me hooking up with Kendall. I’ve neither denied nor admitted it, which is telling on its own.

“Don’t leave yet, Buckie.” She climbs on top of him and hugs his neck.

“We have an early flight, Sweet Pea. You need to let him up.”

“What can I say?” Buck stands, Paisley still draped around him. “The ladies love me.”

“Will you come back and play with me again?”

“Anytime, Paisley Pickles.” He kisses her forehead and fixes her crown.

“Say thank you for your presents,” I tell her.

“Thank you for my presents.” She yawns and perks up when Kendall comes into the room. “Can you stay longer, Miss Kendall?”

“Am I so easily replaced?” Buck gasps. He tickles Paisley’s sides before setting her down. “Happy birthday, Pickles. Nice party, Kendall.” He crosses the room and hugs her, giving me a crooked smile over her head.

“Thank you for coming, Miles. The bean bag chair was a big hit.”

“You know what else is big?”

“Out.” I open the front door and point into the darkness.

Buck laughs as he gathers his keys and phone and leaves.

“Bath and bed, birthday girl.”

“Can I take a shower? Baths are for babies.”

I hide my chuckle. Paisley looks like she’s going to keel over any second. The pretty hairstyle Kendall worked so hard on is loose and lopsided. There are ice cream and frosting stains on her dress—which almost resulted in a meltdown until Rowan said she had a secret recipe to get out stains.

No doubt she’ll be out like a light the second her head touches her pillow. Which is perfect because I plan on making Kendall scream tonight before her head touches a pillow.

“Do you need help starting the shower?”

Paisley rolls her eyes and punches her fists on her hips. “I’m not a baby, Daddy.”

“No. No you’re not.”

“Bye, Miss Kendall.”

Kendall lowers herself to Paisley’s height and hugs her. “Happy birthday, sweetie. Thank you for inviting me to your party. It’s the most fun one I’ve ever been to.”

“It’s my favorite party too. Thank you for my fancy dress and for making Daddy’s house look so pretty for my party. I love you.”

My heart stutters in my chest as I watch the two of them in their embrace.

I love you.

Hell, my daughter has no problem expressing her feelings, if only I could do the same. Is it love I feel though or a combination of a trailer full of lust and an ocean of friendship? I truly enjoy being with Kendall, and not just during naked times.

But love? I’m not sure. Maybe. I think so. It could be. I want to spend more time with her. Hell. I need to spend more time with her.

When Paisley heads upstairs, I corner Kendall against the wall. “Stay.” I kiss her neck and she stiffens before she ducks under my arm.

“No can do, Hump. On my period.”

“I don’t care.”

“Yeah, not my kink. You have an early day and a big game coming up.” She pats my chest like we’re passing acquaintances. “Good luck in your game Monday night.”

Kendall rushes out of the house and I’m too stunned, too hurt, by her reaction to chase after her.

“Daddy,” Paisley calls from upstairs. “I need you.”

Fuck. I wish Kendall needed me too.