Page 7 of Senior

I chuckled. “How about this? If you’re a good girl all week, I’ll bring cookies just for you next Friday? If you’re really good, I’ll take you to the toy store and buy you that big doll house we saw last time.”

Her eyes widened. “Can I get new dolls too?”

“Of course. What’s a new dollhouse without the dolls to match? We got a deal?”

“Deal.”

“That’s my girl.”

I placed her on her feet, and she grabbed my hand, leading me into the kitchen. Tavia, Kalia and Steph were standing around the island, sipping wine, laughing and talking.

“Ladies,” I said, placing the cookies on the counter, then making my rounds to greet them.

Tavia smiled. “Hey sucker, I mean Senior.”

“You funny,” I said, playfully mushing her head before moving on to Kalia.

I was surprised to see her. Baby girl was off at college doing big things. It was her junior year, and she’d been on the dean’s list every semester, just like Jaeda.

“Hey, Uncle Stanley,” she said, throwing her arms around me.

“Hey, baby. Girl, you just keep growing up on me.”

She giggled. “That’s kinda how it works. I see Emmy still has you wrapped around her finger.”

“You were Emmy once upon a time.”

“She’s still Emmy,” Tavia said. “You’ll be breaking her off with money before you leave here. She won’t even have to ask for it.”

I couldn’t even deny that. Whether my baby mamas’ kids were mine or not, I never treated them any different than my own.

“Whatever,” I said with a grin.

My gaze landed on the last woman in the kitchen. She stood sipping her wine, looking over the rim of her glass at me. A smirk appeared on her lips.

Stephanie Michaels, formerly Stephanie Larkins.

Damn she was looking good. She wore an all white, strapless jumper with a sweetheart neckline. Her salt and pepper tresses were pulled into a sleek bun. Simple studs adorned her ears, and a plain white gold necklace rested on her neck. She never had to do too much to stand out.

Stephanie had always been gorgeous, but age had graced her beautifully.

She’d always been the love of my life. Even after she married Aaron, nothing about my love for her changed. Until his untimely death, I kept it friendly with him. Was I jealous? Damn right. Did I wish him any harm? No, I didn’t. He was good to her in ways that I hadn’t been. He loved, cherished and respected her, and he loved and respected my son.

No matter my feelings for her, I wouldn’t step on his toes and disrespect their union. He’d been gone for four years now, and she hadn’t been the same. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes anymore.

I didn’t like that.

I tried to check on her at least once a week. Sometimes I go over and make her dinner or sit and watch TV with her, just keeping her company. I randomly sent her flowers or treated her for a pick me up. I wasn’t trying to fuck her… even though I missed that shit like a muthafucka. I just wanted to make sure she was good. I mean, I still looked out for all my kids’ mamas.

If I sent her flowers, I sent Tavia, Allison and Maddie flowers too. It was a group thing. Even if none of those relationships worked out, I’d forever have love and respect for them for birthing my aggravating ass kids.

“Steph,” I said, kissing her cheek. “You look good. You going somewhere after this?”

“Thank you. The only place I’m going is home. I’m actually coming from a photoshoot.”

“Photoshoot? Special occasion?”

“Nope. Just an old woman that wanted to feel good about herself.”