CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Zachary’s POV:

“Daddy, daddy!”

I whipped around at the sound of feet tapping against the wooden floor.

Her curly red hair bounced lightly on her shoulders, framing her little face. She raised her big, blue eyes at me and put both her arms up, pouting.

I chuckled, and I couldn’t help but find her cute. She always does this when she doesn’t get what she wants.

“What’s wrong, baby?” I asked, tucking a strand of her curly hair behind her ear.

“I want my cake.” She pouted and she shoved her fingers into her armpits.

“Don’t you want to wait for your friends?” I asked.

She looked at me then quickly looked away.

“I don’t have friends.” She mumbled.

“Tell you what, I’ll get a cake just for you and we’ll eat it after the party.” Then I leaned close to her ear and whispered. “It’ll be our little secret.”

Her eyes lit up almost instantly, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck.

“Thank you, Daddy!”

A smile crept to my lips right before Brenda came rushing in through the kitchen door, stopping only