No Expectations

Chapter Twenty-Two

Stephen

"Can we have pizza for dinner?" Layla asked from the backseat as we pulled out of her school parking lot. She was all buckled in with her duffle bag I'd already gotten from Desiree on the seat next to her. Her arms gripped tight around one of her stuffed animals as she stared at me through the rearview mirror.

After safely pulling out into traffic, I looked back at her. "Is that what you want, baby? I could make you something yummy and healthy at home."

She was vicious as she shook her head. "No! Pizza!"

"Okay, well, little girls who yell don't get pizza, so how would a big girl ask?"

She let out a heavy sigh like it was obvious to anyone I was the worst dad in the whole world. "May we please go get pizza tonight?" She batted her eyelashes at me and pressed her palms together with a pout.

"That's better, and maybe. We'll see what Aunt Kaykay wants to eat." I picked up my phone from the cup holder as I turned right and headed towards the highway. The phone rang twice before she picked it up. "Did you want pizza tonight?"

She laughed. "Is that what Layla wants?"

"I'm asking you. Layla doesn't always get to choose what we have for dinner."

She clicked her tongue. "Would you quit and give the girl a break? You're her dad. You're supposed to be spoiling her right now, so she'll choose to live with you when she's twelve."

"Okay, manipulative. Now I see your intentions." She snorted. "So is pizza okay then? We can stop by that place near your apartment."

"Sounds good. I can meet you there. See you in an hour, idiot."

I looked back into the rearview mirror at Layla. "Pizza it is."

She squealed. "Yay! Aunt Kaykay's my favorite!"

The rest of the drive was filled with Layla talking my ear off about her first week back to school. I listened as best I could before Emilia popped back into my head. We hadn't seen each other in two weeks, but I couldn't stop thinking about her. Pretty much everything reminded me of her. We didn't even cross paths on Thursdays anymore. She steered completely clear of me. It was probably for the best, but that didn't stop me from missing her.

Karen's car was already parked outside when we pulled up. Layla screamed like a crazy person as I parked the car. I had to threaten to take her straight home to get her to calm the fuck down. She ran away from me and into the restaurant. I was about to chastise her again before Karen pulled her into her arms and did it for me.

Layla nodded, quick to pretend she was obedient, then turned to me. "Sorry, Daddy. I was happy to see Aunt Kaykay."

"That's okay, baby." I grabbed her hand as we stood in line to order. Karen started talking about work and some frustrating kids she had to deal with through the day. Layla was enough for me. I couldn't imagine spending all day with a bunch of preteens. She loved it, though. Even talking about the frustrating kids made her smile a bit.

The front door opened, and my attention went to it before my eyes widened. Emilia walked in with that guy from her New Year's Eve party. She was smiling as he put his hand on the small of her back, leading her to the back of the line. My eyes widened as I quickly turned my attention back to the menu. Karen noticed also but didn't say anything.

We ordered three slices then sat by the window, so Layla could watch the birds outside. I watched her watch the birds. She was cute. "How you holding up?" Karen asked, bringing my attention back to her.