TAKE TWO_ Who says you can't ma - Heather M. Orgeron Page 0,28

just realizing how much of their relationship I’ve missed because of this divorce.

I creep over to the archway between the living room and kitchen, concealing as much of myself as I can behind the wall. What I find in the next room melts my heart.

Ellie is kicked back on the couch with her feet up in her daddy’s lap… the dog curled up in hers. Her attention is fixed on the television while he paints her toenails pink. On the floor, next to the ottoman the sexy-as-sin pedicurist is perched on, is a foot spa.

“Hey, Mom.” El’s head lifts marginally when she finally notices I’m home.

Her father’s head whips around. “Oh, hey! You’re back. Dinner’s in the microwave.”

“Dinner? What’d you cook?”

“We made our specialty,” Ellie beams. “Spaghetti with sprinkles.”

He must see the revulsion on my face because Liam chuckles, the vibration of his laughter causing him to go off course and paint half of Ellie’s big toe cotton candy pink.

“Not candy sprinkles, Nya.” He shakes his head. “She’s called parmesan cheese ‘sprinkles’ since she was like three. Didn’t realize that wasn’t something she did here as well.”

I smile, attempting to conceal my regret. My child has a whole life I know nothing about. “That’s so cute. We Latinas don’t really cook with sprinkles.”

Liam

Ready to try

“Your turn.” I take the empty plate from Nya’s lap, passing it to Ellie. She must’ve really enjoyed that spaghetti, because she’s all but licked the plate clean. “Can you drop this in the sink on your way to bed, Squirt?”

“My turn for what?” Nya looks around the dimly lit room in confusion.

There’s a softness to her features tonight. I’m not sure whether something happened while she was away or if she’s just still feeling the aftermath of that kiss I laid on her before she hightailed it out of here earlier. But damn it’s nice to see my girl a little less guarded. She’s been so on edge since I moved back in.

I miss her. I miss her easy smiles and our mundane conversations. The way she didn’t hesitate to call on me for anything and everything. Or nothing at all. I miss my friend.

I pat the tops of my thighs. “Give me those feet, woman.”

Her cheeks flush, and she hesitates.

“Do it! He gives the best foot massages.” Ellie can’t stop grinning as she kisses her mom and me good night. “I’ll tuck myself in.” She smiles at her mother then turns to wink at me.

That’s my girl.

“Oh. Okay. Are you sure, mija?”

“Yep. You had a busy day. Enjoy your pampering.”

With that, our daughter takes off, her feet thumping loudly as she makes her way up the stairs to her room.

“How was your meeting?” I pump a few squirts of lavender lotion into my palm and begin working it into the ball of her right foot, kneading my thumbs in a circular motion.

Nya’s head lulls back to rest on the recliner cushion. “It went well. We start the reno next week. She loved everything! Not a single complaint.”

“Because you’re brilliant.” When I reach the arch, she jerks her foot back, giggling.

“That tickles.”

“Sorry.”

Her answering smile is genuine and ignites a spark of hope in my chest. “It’s fine. This is nice.” She breathes out a contented sigh. “Feels good. Thank you, Liam.”

I continue to work in silence, not wanting to say the wrong thing and set her off. But if a kiss has her this agreeable, I can’t wait to see what she’s like once we—.

“Hey, Liam?” Her sleepy voice invades my thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“You’re a good man…a good dad.”

Well, I’ll be damned. Did someone give her drugs while she was out? I’m not even sure how to respond to that. “Thanks,” I say, moving to the other foot. “What brought that on?”

“Mr. Houseman… he—God, he was just horrible. I felt so bad for his wife. I don’t think she could have kept his attention for more than two seconds if she’d danced around the room naked.” She cringes. “Anyway, made me feel really appreciative.” She smiles down at me. “I’m truly thankful for everything you do for us, and I just felt like I needed to say it. Even though we didn’t work out as a couple, you’ve turned out to be an amazing father and a good friend.” She pulls her feet away, placing them both on the rug and leans forward. Her hands smooth down the sides of my face, and as her thumbs run quickly up and down the stubble, I see what looks