By mid-afternoon, his dad had to get ready for the premiere. The girls were dragging, so they all went home with him. Cole put on a movie in his dad’s penthouse, and the girls curled up against him. He must’ve dozed off because the next thing he knew, boots thudded on the hardwood floor, waking him up.
All three of them looked to see Trevor enter the sitting room in a sleek black tuxedo jacket and a forest green and red kilt.
Paisley got up on her knees, her hands resting on the couch cushion. “Where are you going?”
“To a movie,” his dad said.
“I want to go to a movie.”
“This one’s not for kids,” Cole said. “Also, it’s a screening, so it’s not the kind of movie you’re expecting. It’s got fancy food, not popcorn and chocolate-covered raisins.”
“I want shocklet,” Evvie said.
“Hey.” He tugged her ponytail. “You just had some, remember?”
“What’s a screening?” Paisley asked.
“It’s the first time they show a movie to the public,” Cole said. “The actors walk down a red carpet in their fancy suits and dresses, and the photographers take pictures, and the press shouts your name. Camera lights flash in your face. It’s pretty wild.”
“Can I go?” Paisley asked Trevor. “I want to go with you.”
“Unfortunately, I’m going to be working. Trust me when I tell you, you’d be bored silly.”
“I won’t be bored.” She turned to Cole. “Please, Cole? I want to go.” Bits of hair had come out of her braids, and her skin looked pale.
What she needed was a bath, some dinner, and a good night’s sleep. “No, sweetie. We’re going to stay home and have fun here.”
“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” His dad kissed their foreheads and headed for the door.
Paisley watched him, anxiety growing with each step he took away from her. “I don’t want to stay here. I want to go with Trevor.”
“Yeah, I heard you, and we’ll have breakfast with him in the morning.”When we sign the adoption papers.
The door shut, and his sweet little girl flung herself down on the couch. “Why did you let him go? I want to go with Trevor. I want to go to the screening.”
“Well, like he told you, he’s working, so we can’t go with him. Come here, sweetie.” He tried to wrap his arm around her.
But she jerked away from him. Her features pinched into a scowl, and she folded her arms across her chest. “I hate you.”
He couldn’t have been more shaken if she’d clocked him with a hockey stick. “What? No, you don’t. Why would you say that?”
Color spilled into her cheeks, and she shouted, “I want to go with Trevor.”
He’d never seen a hint of attitude before. She’d always been so quiet and watchful, so sweet. They’d always had a special bond. “Let’s take a bath. I can braid your hair and read books.”
“I don’t want to read books. I want to go with Trevor.” Her voice edged toward hysteria.
What the fuck?“Sweetie, come on.” They hadn’t eaten since lunch—that was five hours ago. “I’ll see what I can stir up for dinner.”
“I don’t want dinner. You’re mean, and I want to go home.”
It hurt much more than it should.
She’s six. She doesn’t mean it.
But it was such a familiar twist in his gut. “You’re going home tomorrow.”
“I want to go now. Call Hailey. I want to talk to Hailey. I want her to take me home.” Now, she was crying, tears streaking down her cheeks. “I want to go home.”