Page 227 of The Right Wrong Promise

“You really like having her here, huh?” I play it cool.

“Well, yeah!” He blinks at me like I’m the biggest bonehead he’s ever met. “IlikeMargot. Sophie loves her, they’re closer than she ever was with Mom.”

Fucking ouch.

I wish I could deny it.

“Bud, listen.” I sigh. “We’re working through some serious stuff. It’s mandatory after the trouble we had in Maine. Might take us some time, but once I’ve figured it out, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Cool,” he says. “I can help you figure out how to ask her, you know. When the time comes.”

Without another word, I reach down and ruffle his hair.

Between us boys, I’ll be fine.

Still, I can’t say I mind the moral support from my little wingman.

Just then Margot sails in, a sunny smile on her face as she leads Sophie into the den.

My daughter’s wearing the most extravagant soft bubblegum pink shoes I’ve ever seen.

The shape’s barely thinner than her basic black shoes. I’ve seen the specs a dozen times while Sophie talked my ear off, counting down the days until they arrived.

Only, the shade Margot picked with soft white stripes running along the front and the colorful flowers splashed on the sides create an optical illusion. It makes them look smaller and prettier, and the color draws the eye away from their bulky size.

Damn, I’m impressed.

These aren’t shoes meant for blending in.

They’re a pastel pink spotlight, and Sophie spins in them, beaming with pride.

“I see the Candy Cloud shoes are here. How do they feel?” I ask.

“Dad, they fit perfect!” she chirps, giving us another twirl.

“Those aresopink and girly.” Dan laughs. “But for you, it works, I guess.”

High praise from her punk brother.

“I’m in love. I think I wanna marry these shoes,” Sophie says.

Margot bites her lip as she glances at me, her eyes dancing.

“I think they turned out fabulous,” she says. “What do you think, Dad?”

“Yeah, Dad.” Sophie bounds up to me, a little ball of pixie sugar I haven’t seen for some time. “Tell me what you think!”

“Hmm, let’s see… They seem safe. They help you walk without falling over. Everything good shoesshoulddo.” I rub my chin, drawing it out.

“Daaaad!” She claps her hands to her cheeks and pulls her face down.

“Okay, munchkin. I think they put Dorothy’s ruby slippers to shame. If you walk in wearing those, everyone will think you’re pure wizard. They’re you, Soph. Right down to the little flowers.”

Her face scrunches with a smile before she nods solemnly. “They really are, aren’t they?”

“Hell yeah.” I lift her up in a hug until she squeals before I set her down again.

Then I catch Margot’s eyes over the top of Sophie’s head.