Page 100 of Learn Your Lesson

What the fuck am I doing?

The words echoed in my mind as time stretched between us.

I was breaking my own damn rules.

Those rules had been set for a reason. They were to protect Ava, to ensure Chloe and I kept things professional, that we didn’t get ourselves into a murky situation.

They were to protectme.

And yet here I was, asking her about her life, desperate to know her better, relentless in my pursuit to find a way to make her smile and feel cared for for once in her life.

“This is going to bethe best!” Ava said, jumping up and down and breaking the spell between me and Chloe.

Chloe broke away with pink cheeks, tucking her hair behind her ear before she grabbed Ava’s hand and let her lead the way toward one of the snack carts. Juan escorted them, reading off some options for food before our appointment, and I hung back for a moment trying to catch my breath.

Chef Patel stepped right in front of me with her arms full of bags, one thick, black eyebrow hiking into her hairline.

“Shut up,” I said, circling her to catch up to the group.

“I didn’t say a word.”

“Didn’t have to.”

“No, I certainly did not,” she agreed on a laugh.

I subtly flipped her off behind my back.

That only made her laugh harder.

• • •

An hour and a half later, Ava and Chloe looked like the remnants of a glitter bomb.

Ava was a golden yellow from head to toe, the dress she chose that of Belle. She was admiring the smattering of stars and glitter on her cheeks as the Fairy Godmother assigned to her placed a tiara on her head. My daughter gasped as the final piece slid into place, the crown sitting perfectly on top of the little bun they’d fastened at the top of her head with a yellow ribbon.

She looked up at me as if I’d hung the moon.

“Daddy,look!”

“I see,” I said, smirking a bit as I came up behind her. She turned back to the mirror and I placed my hands on her shoulders. “You look absolutely beautiful, Pumpkin.”

“Oh, no pumpkin unless she’s out past midnight,” the Fairy Godmother said, ever in character.

“Let’s get a picture of you,” Chef Patel said, helping Ava out of her chair.

“What about Chloe?!”

“She’ll be right out,” one of the other Fairy Godmothers assured her. “She’s almost dressed.”

Juan had pulled somebigstrings for this. The boutique was normally booked out weeks, if not months, in advance. But he’d somehow convinced a few of the employees to stay late and make room for us. I tried to tip them — not just once, but several times — but they declined every single one of them.

They seemed genuinely happy to help us, though; the Fairy Godmothers smiling as they watched Chef Patel snap photo after photo of Ava, who was striking poses and giggling at Chef’s commentary as she did.

Not only had they made an exception for us timing wise, but they’d also let me book a service for Chloe. The boutique was meant for little girls — not adults — which meant there were no adult-sized chairs or costumes. But like their reputation suggested, the employees made magic happen. They dolled Chloe up just the same as Ava, and then came in last minute with a surprise princess gown covered in a white garment bag.

At least they let me pay for the dress.

As we waited for her reveal, I watched Ava, heart heavy and slow as I wondered what had happened to her over the last few months.