Page 109 of The Heartbreaker

Me

It’ll be impossible to beat.

Ridge

One day, you’re going to open your eyes to me every morning …

Me

You mean, you’d do that with Daisy home?

Ridge

Once she understands how I feel about you and she accepts that there’s someone else in my life who I care for deeply, then, yeah, I would.

Me

I understand her mind more than anyone, and I want those mornings to be a reality—let’s be real—but I don’t want to rush it either. Hangouts and day/night dates with the three of us—for sure. Her crawling into bed with us every morning? We need to take that extra slow.

Ridge

You and your turtle speed, LOL.

Me

You said it, not me. Ha-ha!

Ridge

But you’re right, and I love that you get it and you get her and what she needs.

Me

The last thing I would ever want is to come between you and your daughter. But if we go slow and get her used to the idea, it’ll make it easier on everyone.

Ridge

Fuck, you’re the best.

Me

We just finished a reading comprehension worksheet that pointed out the difference between nouns and verbs—I’m talking basic, recognizable words that revolve around food and animals and sports—and Daisy crushed it. 10 out of 10. Your daughter is a superstar!

Ridge

Proud dad moment.

Me

You’ve been working with her, haven’t you?

Ridge

I picked up some reading workbooks that you’d suggested, and we do a couple of pages each evening. She doesn’t get dessert until she finishes. That girl likes her M&M cookies, so she gets it done.

Me

You’re ruthless.