Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
She gasped. “Did Wyatt tell you he pulled me over?”
“Yes, Little one. I assume you were so upset you weren’t paying attention. I don’t want you to drive upset like that again, understood?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Next time you have a concern, you call me first.”
She nodded. “I will. I promise.”
“I’ll be home in two days. It will be bedtime when I get there. I expect you to have eaten dinner, had your bath, and be snuggled up in our bed.”
She slowly smiled. “What should I be wearing?”
He grinned wider. “Nothing.”
Chapter Twenty
Two days later…
Kiki was just finishing her last haircut of the day when a presence loomed close, catching her attention. She gasped when she glanced over to find her Daddy striding toward her.
She also squealed, dropped her comb, and raced to close the distance and jump into his arms.
Luckily he braced himself and caught her, holding her tight and kissing her all over her face. He was chuckling when he finally leaned back.
She started giggling too because everyone in the salon was clapping. Her cheeks heated as she slid down his body and buried her face in his chest, grabbing his shirt.
He rubbed her back.
“This must be the handsome man you’ve been raving about,” her client exclaimed behind her.
Chagrinned, Kiki finally took a breath and turned around. “So sorry. I got excited and forgot where I was.” She tried to straighten her shirt and stand taller, reclaiming her professionalism.
Her client waved a dismissive hand through the air. “No worries. It’s so refreshing to see someone in love.” She stood from the chair and held out a hand. “Elizabeth Milford. So nice to meet you.”
Daddy shook her hand. “Terry Reinhart. Don’t you own Nibbles & Bites?”
Elizabeth beamed. “Yes. I think I’ve seen you in there a few times.”
“I love the farm-to-plate concept. Everything I’ve ordered has been delicious.”
“I’m so glad.” Elizabeth clapped her hands together. “You two should come in for a meal. On me.”
“Oh, we couldn’t do that,” Kiki argued, squeezing her Daddy’s hand because she couldn’t stand to stop touching him. She still couldn’t believe he was here.
“I insist. You always do such amazing things to my hair. I owe you.” She patted her amazing curls. “I’ve never had a hairdresser before who could work such wonders with my unruly curls.”
“You don’t owe me, silly. I love working with your hair.” It was the honest truth. Elizabeth’s curls were a challenge, but that was half the fun.
Elizabeth leaned forward and gave Kiki a quick hug. “The offer stands anyway. Come in on your lunch break one day.” She leaned in closer to Kiki’s ear. “And bring this handsome Daddy with you.”
Kiki’s breath hitched as Elizabeth stepped back with a wink and a giggle. She knew. How did she know? Had Kiki accidentally called him Daddy? She didn’t think so.
Elizabeth leaned closer again. “Don’t worry. You didn’t give yourself away. I just knew by the way you talk about him, and now that he’s here, I can see I was right. You’re so lucky. I’d give anything to find my own Daddy.”
Kiki was still stunned, but she smiled and hugged her client again. “I’m sure he’s out there. I bet he’ll walk through the front door of your restaurant one of these days and knock you off your feet.”
“Maybe.” Elizabeth shrugged. “I’ll see you next time.” She gave a little wave and headed for the front desk to check out.
Kiki turned in her Daddy’s arms and hugged him again. She didn’t even care that it was beyond unprofessional. She felt like she hadn’t seen him in weeks instead of days, especially since they’d suffered such a huge misunderstanding the other day.
“You ready to go, Bumblebee?” Daddy asked in a low voice so no one could hear him.
“Yep. I just need to sweep up my area. Give me a few minutes?”
“Of course.”
She pointed at her chair. “Sit. Keep your feet up on the stand so I can sweep around you.”
He did as she instructed, but he never took his eyes off her.
As Kiki swept the floor, the bell over the door chimed, indicating another customer was coming in. When she glanced up, she saw that Elizabeth was also heading out, and she ended up doing one of those awkward dances back and forth with the new client as they tried to pass each other.
The newcomer was a handsome man, and he ended up laughing and taking Elizabeth by the shoulders to stop her from continuing to sway back and forth. Elizabeth tipped her head back and gawked, mouth open, cheeks turning pink. “So sorry,” she mumbled.
“No problem, ma’am.” He didn’t release her though. He kept staring into her eyes for long moments before seeming to shake himself out of it. He dropped his hands and tipped his head toward her. “Have a nice day.”