First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 55

  It is now late Saturday morning and the house is quiet, sunlight coming in through the kitchen window in long stripes across the floor. I stand at the sink rinsing my coffee cup, my phone pressed between my shoulder and ear as I listen to it ring.

  "Hello?" comes Dani's mom's warm voice on the other end.

  "Hey, Mrs. Laura," I say, shifting the phone into my hand. "It's Taytum."

  "Good morning, sweet girl," she says, already making me smile. "Everything alright?"

  "Yes ma'am, it's all good. I'm actually calling to ask a favor."

  "Of course. What do you need?"

  I take a breath. "I want to take Dani out tonight. Just her and I. She's had a heavy week, and yesterday... really hit hard."

  Mrs. Laura sighs. "Yes, she called me and told me. No trial, huh?"

  "He confessed. Everything. So Dani won't have to go through testifying or reliving it all in court. That's a relief, but still..."

  "She's carrying a lot," she finished for me.

  "Yes ma'am. I want to give Dani one night where it's just about her. Where she gets to feel safe and taken care of. Worshipped. No weight on her shoulders. Think you and Mr. Nathan can keep KK for the night?"

  There is a pause on the other end, then a soft chuckle. "You don't even have to ask. We'd love to. KK can stay the night. I'll even bake those chocolate chip cookies she likes so much."

  "You're the best," I say, my chest already easing up a little. "Thank you."

  "No, thank you. For loving my daughter the way you do."

  I hang up, feeling that quiet rush of emotion that always hits when Dani's parents show how much they accept me being with Dani. This is real. We are real and I am going to show her that tonight.

  I walk back into the living room where Dani is curled up on the couch with KK, both of them watching Princess and the Frog like it is the first time. KK's head is on her mama's shoulder, a blanket half-draped across both of them, a half-eaten bowl of popcorn sitting between them.

  I lean over the back of the couch, brushing a kiss to Dani's temple. "Hey."

  Dani turns her head slightly, eyes a little tired but still soft when she looks at me. "Hey."

  I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. "How about I take you out tonight?"

  Her brows lifted a little. "Like... out out?"

  I smile. "Yeah. Just you and me, on a date. I already called your mom. KK's got a sleepover tonight."

  Dani blinks at me. "You planned all that already?"

  "I want to do something nice for you. Just us. I figured you could use a break."

  Dani's face softens, and she looks like she is trying not to tear up in front of KK. "You're kind of amazing, you know that?"

  "I do," I say, grinning. "But I like hearing it."

  She shakes her head, laughing quietly. "I'd love that."

  I look at KK and ruffle her hair. "Are you cool with hanging out with Mimi and Pop tonight?"

  KK sits up straighter, already excited. "YES! Can I take my mermaid dolls? And my new glitter markers?"

  "Of course," Dani says, chuckling. "I'll help you pack your bag after lunch."

  As KK launches into a detailed plan for how she wants to organize her sleepover backpack, I glance at Dani again. Her smile lingers, but there is something behind her eyes. A quiet kind of weariness, a heaviness I know she is still sorting through after everything and I am going to help her shake it loose. If just for one night.