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CHLOE

That’s fine. Next time, I’m going to squirt on your face. You’ll work for it.

I chuckled and shook my head.

ME

What makes you think I’ll give you that much?

Chloe leaned on the kitchen island, knowing what she did as she flashed cleavage her tiny tank top didn’t even begin to cover.

CHLOE

Because I will be such a good girl today in my lesson.

The dirty talk ended me.

ME

Pattern work. Nail your lead changes and you can ride more than my horse later.

CHLOE

Nail my leads and you nail me? Yes, daddy.

The contents of this conversation were beyond dirty. It was no doubt what Piper called “total cringe”, and I’d be mortified if anyone saw the things we sent. Still, knowing she’d send me a text mid-day about how thirsty she was buoyed more than my spirits.

ME

Good girl. Look, as much as I want to chat, your beasts are waiting on me.

CHLOE

Got it. Piper can come in with me today since school is closed.

ME

Text me if you need me to swing back.

I gave her a dorky thumbs up and heard Piper’s voice in my head. “Dad, only dorks do that!”

I snickered and zipped my lunch tote, then navigated downed trees on my way to the barn. I shook while zipping onto the highway, worried about Piper. How would she feel when she woke up without me this morning? I’d never been a helicopter parent, but things like this made me want to run to her. And what if she felt abandoned? I knew she was with Chloe, but I worried she’d wake alone and panic.

When I landed at the barn, I decided to call her, assuming I’d leave a voicemail. To my surprise, Piper picked up.

“Yeah, Dad?”

“Uh… sorry. I figured you’d still be asleep and I wanted to leave a voicemail.”

“Well, I’m here now. I’m fine,” she laughed, surprisingly carefree. “Chloe took me to get coffee and those croissant-donut-things.”

Piper was fine. My pulse slowed and jaw relaxed. Piper and Chloe were just consuming overpriced fancy pastries together. She wasn’t upset.

“That’s good, sweetheart,” I said. “Well, no rush. I’m here. Everything looks okay.”

“Riley told Chloe we got out alright,” Piper said. “I know.”

“Oh… okay. Well, I’ll see you soon enough.”