Page 54 of Yours To Hold
“What are we going to do today?” Willow asks.
I shake Ivy from my thoughts. Today is not about her.
“It’s your special day, Pipsqueak. You decide.”
I set the bowl in front of her before feeding Daisy.
She thinks, shoveling a bite of cereal into her mouth. Milk dribbles out the sides.
“Can we get our nails done? Aunt Gemma said it’s really fun to have someone paint your nails.”
“Okay.” I don’t bat an eye.
“Are you able to get your nails done? You’re a boy.”
“Of course I can. Daddies can do whatever they want.”
“You say that about everything.” Willow rolls her eyes at me as I grab my own bowl of cereal.
I’m getting more and more signs of what it’ll be like to be living with a teenager. She won’t want to do this with me when she’s at that age. Makes me cherish these moments of her wanting to spend the day with me whenever I can.
“When you’re an adult, you can do whatever you want.”
“Can I boss you around?”
“No,” I say on a laugh. “That’ll never happen.”
“Aww, nuts.”
“Finish your breakfast and then go get dressed and we can start our special day.”
Willow makes her cereal disappear before I can tell her to slow down. She’s sliding down the chair and running off to her room with Daisy in her wake.
I slurp down the rest of my breakfast before shooting off a text to Gemma. I haven’t the first clue on where to take Willow to get her nails done today.
Heading to my room, I take a quick shower and change into my own clothes. Nothing special like Willow. A black tee and jeans. With spring giving way to summer, it’s all I need.
The girl of the hour is waiting for me, ready to go on time for once.
“Do you like my outfit?” Willow is wearing a pair of black sparkly leggings with a white tank top covered in rainbows and her pink cowboy boots. Her jean jacket is thrown over the arm of the couch.
I hold out my arms for her to give me a hug. She comes running immediately. “You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“You have to say that because you’re my daddy,” she giggles.
I shake my head. “Nope. It’s the truth.”
Grabbing her coat, I get my keys and head out to the truck.
“Bye, Daisy!” Willow drops a kiss on her head. “Be good while we’re gone. I love you!”
Willow races out the door after giving Daisy her bone.
I follow the directions Gemma texted me to the nail place and find a parking spot. Helping Willow out of the truck, we head into a very busy salon.
“Hi. Can we help you?” a cheerful voice greets me.
“Umm.” I am so not in my element here.
