Page 28 of Operation Daddy

July: So about those activities…

Fletch: Just say the word when you’re ready. Don’t rush to do anything on my behalf.

July: I love you.

Fletch: I love you too.

Banks: That detective stopped by the club a few more times, looking for July.

Fletch: Damn, this guy is tenacious. He’s already seen July is alive and well.

Banks: Yeah, I don’t know. I kind of get the impression he enjoys using his badge to get access to the club. I’ll keep running interference. Just thought you should know.

Fletch: Thank you for keeping me in the loop.

Banks: No problem. I just like knowing July is healing. Thank you for that.

Fletch: You never have to thank me for loving July. He makes it easy.

Fletch: I have lunch for you, but I can’t find you.

July: I’m at the dance studio with Kylo, Shadow, and Rain. They gave me a tutu!!

Fletch: That’s great, baby. I’ll leave your lunch in the fridge in our room. Please eat.

July: Thank you. I promise I will.

Fletch: Good boy.

Fletch: I have a surprise for you. Meet me in our room.

July: A surprise? For me? I’m running to you.

Fletch: Don’t run in the house. I know you’re wearing those slick ruffle socks.

July: Okay, Daddy.

The blank wall in front of him was all Fletch saw. July called him Daddy. He had the proof on his phone. As satisfying as the moment was, Fletch badly wanted to hear July say those words. Until he saw that message, Fletch hadn’t realized how much he missed being the daddy. If July never did anything for him, that one word was enough. The only time he felt the least bit redeemable was when he took care of his boy.

July walked into the room, visibly trying to move carefully on the shiny wood flooring.

Fletch’s chest swelled with happiness. He loved everything about July.

Fletch snagged his waist and towed July into his arms. “Hey, babe.”

July’s chin lifted to meet his stare. “Hi, Daddy.”

He lost his breath. “Thank you for that.”

A puzzled look crossed July’s face. “Why did you thank me for saying hi?”

“You called me Daddy.”

July’s expression cleared. “Oh, you are my daddy. Does that mean I’m okay to call you that? After I sent that text, I realized what I had done and worried you’d be upset, but I still doubled down. Or at least I unconsciously doubled down, since that just popped out. But, hopefully, you know what I mean, since—”

Fletch kissed him. As much as he felt July should be allowed to babble as long as he wanted, Fletch knew the difference between happy and nervous nonstop chatter. This was one of those times July was obviously nervous. Fletch couldn’t have that.

Their kiss turned heated fast. Lately, their kisses and touches had turned a little more desperate. Fletch had to cool things down.