Page 163 of Safe With You

He didn’t move.

My smile returned as I pulled out of the parking space, and only after I turned onto the street did his headlights appear behind me.

By the time I got Mila into bed, she’d asked me three times if we could go back to Chapter & Charm tomorrow.

The first time, I told her we’d see.

The second time, she reminded me that Miss Luna said she didn’t mind.

The third time, she was already halfway asleep, curled onto her side with one of the books we’d bought tucked against her chest.

I took it from her carefully.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Her eyes stayed closed.

“That means no.”

“It means go to sleep.”

“I am asleep.”

I smiled.

“Goodnight, Bug.”

“Night, Daddy.”

I pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder and switched off the lamp beside her bed. The dinosaur night-light in the corner left enough of a glow for me to make it to the door without stepping on anything, which felt like an accomplishment considering the state of her floor.

I stopped before closing it.

“Daddy?”

I looked back.

Her eyes were still closed.

“What?”

“I like Miss Luna.”

The words were muffled against her pillow.

“I know.”

“She likes me too.”

“I know that too.”

A few seconds passed.

“Okay.”

That seemed to be all she needed.

I stood there a little longer, waiting until her breathing evened out before pulling the door mostly closed behind me.