Page 94 of That One Touch

She knew from his cousins that they’d been worried about him for the longest time.

“You sure you’re okay?” Pres looked worried he’d done the wrong thing. But actually, he’d been right.

“I’m certain.” She smiled at him. “Now open your gifts.”

Marley had set them on a table. As they walked, Delilah grabbed her hand. “My daddy kissed you,” she whispered.

“I know. Is that okay?”

Delilah nodded. “Yes. Because you’re special friends.”

Oh boy, Presley really started something with that phrase. “Yes we are.”

“Are we special friends, too?” Delilah asked her, her eyes shining as she looked up at Cassie’s face.

“Well, we’re friends, and I think you’re very special so…” She leaned down and tickled the little girl, who laughed with delight.

“Daddy, can I help you open your presents?” she asked him.

“Sure.” Presley’s eyes met Cassie’s. She nodded. There was nothing a little girl shouldn’t see in them. She wasn’t that stupid.

Delilah skipped around to where Marley and Presley were standing. Marley had already opened his two gifts. A vintage Nirvana album for the turntable Pres had gotten him, and a black t-shirt with white writing on the front. Marley read it and was laughing.

“What does it say?” Delilah asked him.

“It says, Drummer: A skilled musician who is often forced to the back to preserve the fragile egos of the other band members.”

Presley laughed with him.

“What’s an ego?” Delilah asked.

Marley’s eyes met Cassie’s. “Ask your dad,” he said. “He knows.”

“Daddy, what’s an ego?” Delilah asked.

Presley rolled his eyes. “I thought you were helping me open these,” he said, gesturing at the pile of gifts.

“Oh yes.” She grabbed at the paper of the gift at the top, all thoughts of egos forgotten. “What’s this one?” she asked, as Presley helped her unstick the tape and open it. “Oh, it’s a book.”

Presley read the front and looked up at her, smiling. She’d noticed he had a lot of Stephen King books in his house the first time she visited. It was his latest. “Thank you,” he said.

“Look inside,” she told him.

He opened it up and a little piece of paper fell out.

“What does it say?” Delilah asked, impatiently.

“It says, this voucher entitles the holder to one child free day.” He smiled. “Not sure how that works.”

“Delilah and I can have a girl’s day,” Cassie told him. “And you can read the book.”

The smile wavered on his lips. “That’s incredibly thoughtful.”

Her chest tightened. “I just thought you’d probably enjoy some peace.”

“We get to have a girl day?” Delilah asked, fist bumping the air. “Yes!”

“You’re the gift that keeps on giving,” Pres murmured. “Thank you for my presents.” He kissed her cheek.