Page 52 of Draft Pick
I reach for the underside of her arm and graze the softness of her skin, not even noticing until it’s already done. “Don’t. It’s okay. As long as she’s good with it, I am, too.”
“She most certainly is!” Addie cheers. “Definitelyfriends.”
Nice emphasis on the definitely, baby girl.
Juniper smiles softly and nearly knocks me to my knees when I notice her eyes still trained on the place my hand just left. Almost like she can’t believe it was there. Well, that makes two of us.
“Habit,” she stammers, and to change the subject, I quickly redirect us to the reason she’s here.
Pancakes.
I clap my hands. “So, you girls ready to make some pancakes?”
“Yeah!” Addie cheers, and Juniper’s face beams. “Oh, we’re ready. Prepare to have your life changed.”
“Changed? That’s a pretty big declaration there, Doc. Sure you’ve got the culinary skills to back it up?”
“Foodie, remember?” she gloats, pointing to herself with pride.
“Daddy got all the ingredients! Oh! And Halloween sprinkles!” Addie cuts in, making us both laugh.
“Halloween, really?” Juniper looks at me in amusement.
I shrug. “Listen, a man can only do so much. Show me some grace, woman.”
Her smile reaches her eyes, if that’s even possible, and next to my daughter, it might be my new favorite view. “Alright, Suburban Daddy. Get over here so I can show you how a Wilde woman makes pancakes.”
Wildewoman orwildwoman? I think I’ll take the second option, please and thank you.
I keep that comment to myself and get ready to learn some things. I tell myself this is strictly for Addie, but somewherealong the way, spending time with Juniper feels like something for me, also.
“Too. Many. Sprinkles,” Addie draws out dramatically, rubbing her belly for added effect.
“And whipped cream.” Juniper pats her stomach.
“You did add almost an entire bottle of sprinkles to one pancake, Doodle. I would be surprised if youdidn’tget a tummy ache,” I tell her, sliding her insulated cup of water toward her.
“I don’t feel so good.”
“Hey! Wanna know a fun fact?” Juniper asks, jumping in to save the day.
That has Addie’s slump rising a bit. “I like fun facts.” Her smile grows.
Juniper bends to eye level with Addie and says, “One time, I made my cat homemade pancakes. Well, we call them seafood pancakes because cats like those kinds of things. Anyway, he loved the pancakes so much that his belly filled up like a giant balloon, and he farted so loud it scared me.”
Addie erupts in laughter. “He tooted!” she hollers before noting, “you have a cat? What’s her name?”
“Hisname is Shakespeare.”
“Shakespeare,” Addie attempts to pronounce it, but adorably fails. “Does Shakespeare like snuggles?”
“Shakespearelovessnuggles. You’ll have to meet him someday.”
She’s making plans…
Addie turns toward me with hopefulness in her glassy eyes. “Daddy, please? Can I meet Princess Juniper’s kitty? His snuggles will be so cute.”
Oh, we’ve moved on to Princess Juniper now.
