Page 59 of Hunting Little Hope
“This isn’t about a text,” I finally added. “It’s about what changed for you this morning.”
Her throat bobbed, and a beautiful flush spread across her skin.
“Yes.” The word was short, soft, but filled with what sounded suspiciously like guilt. Oh, our poor, poor girl.
“And that change doesn’t disappear just because Troy is sitting ten tables away eating toast.”
A small, shaky huff left her at that, but she didn’t respond or acknowledge what I’d said. Although her lip did tip up slightly on the side.
Perry leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “We can go later,” he murmured. “Or not at all. We could order something from room service and spend all day in bed. Or I could go grab us some stuff and bring it back.” He shrugged before looking at me sheepishly. “Well, I’d probably make Daddy go get it, but the result would be the same.”
I smiled at him, warmth flaring in my chest again.
My Little boy.
Hope shook her head slightly. “I don’t want to hide.”
My chest filled with pride at the look of determination I saw mixed with fear. She was being so damn brave. I wish I could have just promised her everything was going to be okay, but I didn’t know Troy and Archie, and I wasn’t sure that if I was on their side of the coin, I would take the news that Hope didn’t want me with any good grace.
But what I could do was be there for her. “Then we don’t hide, button. And no matter what happens, Lee, Perry, and I will be there for you.”
She looked up at me, those large eyes filled with emotion, before she smiled tentatively. “Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered.
“You’re very welcome, button. Now, before we go, I was wondering if there was a reason your bed and floor are covered in glitter?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hope
“Uh oh.”
This was uttered by Perry. Otherwise known as the traitor.
What on earth was I supposed to say in response tothat?
I looked between Daddy Lee and Daddy Tyrell, trying to see which one would be the best to face, but from the curious butsternexpressions on their faces, I wasn’t going to have much luck with either of them.
“Uh... I... uhm. The glitter fairy paid me a visit last night, to try and help me feel better?”
Neither of them looked very impressed with my response. In fact, if the slight scowl was anything to go by, Daddy Lee was pretty unimpressed with my poor attempt at a lie.
Daddy Tyrell, on the other hand, looked like he was fighting a losing battle with the corner of his mouth.
Perry did not even try.
He snorted.
Actually snorted.
“Glitter fairy,” he repeated, like the words were the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
I turned to glare at him. “You’re the one who saiduh oh.”
“Because,” he said helpfully, “it’s everywhere.”
I looked around automatically.
And… okay.
