Page 129 of Where We Stay

“Can she still be my friend if she isn’t your girlfriend?”

The question tightens something in my chest.

I turn Aspen around on the counter so she’s facing me. “Blair cares about you, Pen. A lot.”

“Even if you stop liking each other?” she asks quietly.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen yet,” I tell her honestly. “But I promise that if anything ever changes, we’ll talk about it. You can always tell me how you’re feeling. Okay?”

Aspen studies my face for a moment before nodding. “Okay, Daddy.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, and I hold her close.

I won’t promise that Blair will never leave. That wouldn’t be fair to either of them.

But I can promise Aspen she’ll never have to face that fear alone.

When she pulls back, her smile has returned. “Are you going to ask Blair tonight?”

“Apparently,” I reply.

“Before dinner?” she asks.

“Yes, boss.”

“Good.” Aspen pats my cheek. “Now fix my hair.”

I stare at the ponytail I’ve already redone three times. “Your hair is fixed.”

She examines herself in the mirror and immediately frowns. “It’s crooked.”

Fucking hell.

* * *

Blair opens her front door, and for a second, I forget why I’m standing there.

She’s wearing a cream knit dress that hugs every curve, black tights and brown boots that reach just below her knees. Her hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, and she somehow manages to look sweet and dangerous at the same time.

Fuck.

“Hi,” she says, smiling.

“Hey.” I stare for a second too long before remembering the conversation I had with Aspen. “Before we go, I need to ask you something.”

Blair’s smile falters. “That sounds ominous.”

“It’s not.” I glance toward the truck, where Aspen is watching us through the window. “Pen asked if you were my girlfriend.”

Her brows lift. “What did you tell her?”

“That I hadn’t asked you yet.”

“And are you asking me now?”

“Apparently, there are rules about this shit,” I grumble.

Blair folds her arms. “Very romantic.”