Page 30 of Stuck Together
“This isn't my bedroom. This is a cabin and we each have our own bedroom in the cabin.”
She narrowed her eyes like she was thinking about what I said. I traveled often for work and she’d never seen another person around when we’d video chatted, so her confusion was understandable.
Her little lips turned up in a smile as she leaned in close to the computer. “Well, she looks just as pretty as Gigi said she was.”
“What was that Rylee.”
“I said, she’s pretty.”
“No, the part about Gigi.”
“Oh, Gigi said the girl you were with was pretty.”
And the plot thickens. I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. “So Gigi told about Madison, uh.”
“Only that she was pretty.” Her smile faded. “Are you mad, Daddy?”
“No, pumpkin. I just don’t understand why Gigi told you about a co-worker, that’s all.”
“She also said you two used to be friends.”
I didn’t like that Grandmother was talking to Rylee about Madison. If Grandmother pulled Rylee into her matchmaking schemes it could result in disappointment and hurt on Rylee’s part when things didn’t work out. Rylee would certainly get to know Madison at the office and if she got attached to her, it only would make things worse. “That part is true. I've known Madison for a long time. We grew up together.”
“And now you work with her.”
“That is correct.”
“Can I meet her?” Her voice was hopeful.
“I have no doubt that you will meet her. Now that she works in my office, I’m fairly certain you’ll get to know her quite well.”
“No, I mean now can I meet her now.”
“Oh, well, that's kind of up to her I guess.” I turned around and looked at Madison. She was leaning against the kitchen counter and smiled. She looked amused by this conversation. I was sure every word that left my mouth was riddled with awkwardness. Talking to my daughter about a past lover was not my idea of a fun time. “Madison, would you like to meet my daughter?”
She chuckled. “I’d love to.”
She walked over and sat next to me on the couch. Her thigh rubbed against mine and sent a spark of excitement through my body. I scooted over to give her a little more room, but the effect she had on me was already in play.
I cleared my throat and made the introductions. “Madison, this is my daughter Rylee. Rylee, this is Madison.”
“Hi Rylee. It's nice to meet you.” The smile on Madison’s face was intoxicating and I struggled to pull my eyes away from her.
“Hi. You’re really pretty.” I swallowed hard at my daughter’s declaration. She couldn’t have been more right. Madison wasn’t just pretty. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. And seeing her all sweaty and flushed from a workout was a great look on her. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and taste her sweaty skin and feel her heat next to me. It was an oddly erotic desire.
“Thank you. So are you.” Madison’s voice pulled my eyes away and reminded me my daughter was watching.
Rylee leaned closer to the screen and giggled. “Daddy she looks like Princess Maddie. Her name even sounds like Princess Maddie.”
“Who’s Princess Maddie?” Madison looked at me with a furrowed brow.
I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. “Thanks Rylee.”
“She’s only the most beautiful and kind and sweet princess in all the land.” Rylee’s excited voiced echoed through the room. “She has long blond hair just like you, but she wears a sparkly blue dress.”
Madison’s eyes shifted to me, but I refused to make eye contact. The last thing I needed was for Madison to know I made up stories about a princess for Rylee that were inspired by her.
“You don’t say,” Madison whispered.