Page 67 of Desperate Games

She’ll learn to love me. I’ll make her. Because I sure as shit am in love with her.

But to do that, to get her to realize it, I’m going to need a game plan.

And I’m not a games guy. Never have been.

But for Andy? Maybe it’s time I broke a few rules.

Or made some of my own.

Because this time?

I’m playing to win. I’m playing for keeps.

Chapter Nineteen-Remy

The Next Morning

Step one: don’t scare her.

Step two: make her breakfast.

Step three: let Callie win her over.

It’s barely six when I slip out of bed, careful not to wake her.

Andy sleeps like the dead—thank fuck for that—because the way she curled into me last night would’ve made it hard to untangle if she was half-conscious.

I smooth my side of the bed out of habit and self-preservation.

She doesn’t need to know I held her all night like she was something precious.

Even if she is.

I shower. Shave. Get dressed.

Then it’s on to the real boss of Operation Win Andy’s Heart: Callie.

She’s up and chirpy, her curls a mess and her voice full of giggles when she sees her outfit waiting—sparkle jeans and a hoodie with tiny wings on the back.

Wings she insisted give her flying powers. Who am I to argue?

“Do the shoes match the wings, Daddy?” she asks solemnly.

“They do,” I assure her, helping her into them. “Gold sparkles. Maximum flight potential.”

We’re halfway through breakfast when Andy walks in, still in pajamas, rubbing sleep from her eyes and looking like a dream I’m not supposed to touch anymore.

She freezes a little at the sight of us, but Callie saves the moment.

“Andy!” Callie shrieks happily, sliding off her chair and barreling across the kitchen.

Andy barely has time to brace herself before my little girl throws her arms around her waist and gives her the kind of hug that melts hearts.

Andy stumbles, then laughs, hugging her back automatically.

She’s helpless against Callie’s charm. I mean, who wouldn’t be?

But then Callie spots the coffee pot Andy’s going for and she gasps, offended.