Jessica held tightly to Daisy's hand as they made their way toward the exit. Outside the fence, Timothy followed, waiting for them just beyond the doors.

Daisy glanced up at Jessica. "Godmother, were you arguing with Mr. Lawson?" Jessica gave a noncommittal "Mm."

"Then I'll help you."

Timothy overheard Daisy's earnest offer, and it hit him right in the chest.

Everyone in the Zimmerman family, from the old patriarch down to little Daisy, seemed to know just how to push his buttons.

Jessica and Timothy weren't officially divorced yet, so Herbert kept his opinions to himself. He simply trailed after Jessica, ready to step in if she needed protecting.

Jessica and Daisy stepped out into the sunlight.

"Mr. Lawson."

Daisy still called him “Mr. Lawson," but the next second, she added, “Actually, I think I'd rather have Mr. Wheeler as my godfather. Or maybe my uncle. You should think about it and let someone else have the spot, so I can finally have a real godfather, okay?"

She looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "I'm really unlucky, you know. I don't have any parents, and it was hard enough just to get a godmother. I really want a godfather too. Mr. Lawson, I heard from my uncle that you started a charity for orphans. Well, I'm an orphan. Could you help me out, too?"

Behind them, Herbert nearly burst out laughing.

Daisy's words were as sweet as honey-but every one stung like a needle.

Timothy's face flushed, then paled. "If you want a godfather, I'm right here. You can call me godfather any time you want―I promise I'll treat you even better than your real dad."

do want a godfather, I guess I could consider you. But the problem is, my godmother doesn't want you. That puts me in a tough spot. I can't be unfair to her just because you're my uncle's friend. That wouldn't

never felt

of them—never a kind word for him, always managing to make him feel like he was choking on his

understood how Jessica must have felt that day he and

looked at Jessica, her face impassive, as if he were nothing but

had

about the school event-I'm sorry. There's nothing between me and Sheila, not like you

If you need to find Mayfield, just tell me why, and

broke in, excited. "Jessica, you've heard from your

Jessica nodded. "Yeah."

Mayfield?" Herbert frowned, clearly out of the

later,"

talked to Vince, she talked to Herbert, but wouldn't

having a private conversation here, Herbert-mind your own business!"

a cool look. "He's talking to me. What's it to you? Am I

like there's nothing between you and Sheila. So why are you getting

it felt like the sharp edge of jealousy turned back

his lips together, at

he'd finally been silenced, Jessica took Daisy's hand and

was losing his

He'd tried everything.

Nothing worked.

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