Brylee set her small suitcase down by the front door and found her way to the kitchen. Larkin and Darian were already at the small table, eating breakfast, and Ella was humming at the stove. She always loved these visits with her friend, but she was always so sad to leave.
“Hey, good morning,” Darian said as he set down his cup of coffee. “Did you sleep well?”
Brylee nodded and tried to smile. “I did. Thank you.”
“I wish you didn’t have to leave this morning,” Larkin complained.
“I know. Me, too. But I have to work tonight.”
Darian hid his smile when both girls pouted.
“Darian, could you or someone give me a ride to the bus station?”
Darian’s brows snapped together. “I don’t like the thought of you on one of those buses.”
“It’s not bad, and I already have my ticket. I’ve ridden on them for years.”
Darian waited until Ella set a plate in front of Brylee.
“Good morning, hun,” Ella said and smiled.
“Good morning, Ella. Thank you for breakfast.”
“Anytime.”
“Let me think about this a bit.”
Brylee stared at Darian. She didn’t want him to bother. She was always afraid if she was to much trouble, he’d never let her come back.
“I don’t want you to worry about it, sir.”
“On your previous trips here, we’ve given you a ride back because we were headed that way.”
“Really, it isn’t a big deal…”
“Eat, I want to think about this,” he told her and concentrated on his own food.
Brylee ate what she could before she took her plate to the sink and joined Larkin out by the pool.
“I called a taxi to take me to the bus stop,” she informed Larkin.
The smile dropped from Larkin’s face. “But daddy is thinking about what to do.”
Brylee grabbed Larkin’s hands and squeezed. “I know, but we’ve talked about this before. I don’t want him to not let me come back to see you.”
“But…”
“You know it’s a possibility. I don’t want to take the chance. Do you?”
Larkin shook her head sadly.
Brylee hugged her friend. “Please tell Darian thank you for me. I’m afraid if I do, he’ll keep me from going.”
“Call me when you get back to your apartment.”
“I will,” Brylee said and walked back into the house.
****
Thirty minutes later, Darian found Larkin sitting in a chair with stark sadness in her expression and staring off into space. He sat down on the end of the lounger and faced her.
“Hey, sweetheart. What’s wrong?” he asked as he slid his palm up and down her leg.
“I know it’s weird, but I miss Brylee already.”
Darian grinned. “She hasn’t left yet, baby.”
Larkin looked away.
Darian stiffened. “Where is she?”
YOU ARE READING
Daddy's little princess (Daddy 2)
RomanceEven though Brylee has tried to fit in to society, she's been slapped down one time after another. If it wasn't for Larkin, her good friend, she wouldn't have anyone. Gage takes one look at the hurt young woman and decides she's his to keep. Everyth...
