The Hero and the Fat Girl (New Hampshire Bears #3) by Mary Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

of dress slacks, two suits, eight tops, and a variety of lingerie.”
    “Really?” The thought of Maxima in lingerie quickly causes a stir in my pants.
    “Yes.”
    “Well, whatever she tried on, we’ll take.”
    She nods and begins to ring up the items, gently folding and placing them in bags. She continues until all the items are neatly packed. I don’t even blink when Sharon says the grand total; I just hand her my credit card.
    Maxima deserves this. After talking with her at dinner, I made a promise to myself to spoil her. I can tell no one ever has and from this point on, I will. I want to prove to her I’m a good guy. I want to show her how beautiful she is. I wish there was some sort of magical hammer I could use to knock down the wall she’s built up. But, I know there isn’t one, and I have to keep trying.
    I’m going to have to do it on my own.
    “Thanks for all your help, Sharon.” I take my credit card and the bags.
    “Of course, Mr. Rosin. Best of luck next season.”
    I nod with a smile and head off to find my girls.
    I knew exactly where they would be: the kid’s section. I’m right when I see Maxima’s back, standing close to Arabella with several books in her hands. I stand there for a moment and watch them. Maxima looks at my daughter with so much love and adoration. It makes me want Maxima even more. Damn, every time I look at her, I want her more. It’s been this way since I laid my eyes on her.
    “Dad.” Arabella’s sweet voice breaks my thoughts as she comes running up to me.
    “Hi, honey.” She wraps her arms around me. There’s no greater feeling than this one.
    I glance up to see Maxima’s face go from confusion to anger to…well…I’m not sure if it’s happy or not. I brace myself as she comes closer to us.
    “I knew it.” She sighs, glancing over the bags. “You didn’t have to.”
    “I wanted to.” We stare at each other for a few seconds. “Let me give you my card for the books.”
    “No,” she firmly states. “I got these.” She turns on her heels and strolls to the cash registers.
    I could watch the sway of her hips all day long. Her curves are hiding behind those baggy clothes. I can’t wait to see her new outfits.
    “Dad, are you listening me?”
    “I’m sorry, what?” I turn my attention to Arabella.
    “I said, can we have pizza?”
    “Why don’t we have Maxima pick? She never gets to pick.”
    “Good idea.”
    Maxima comes back over to us and Arabella tells her it’s her turn to pick dinner.
    “Well, um…” she thinks about it for a couple seconds. “How about tacos?”
    “Yes.” Arabella quickly agrees. “And we can get nachos.”
    I chuckle at her excitement. “All right, ladies. Let’s head out then.”
    The three of us walk out of the mall, and I load everything into the trunk carefully. I don’t want anything to get torn up.
    Maxima hands Arabella one of her new books as I drive to the Mexican restaurant. I’m a little taken a back when Maxima reaches over and takes my hand in hers. It’s the first time she’s ever initiated contact with me. Yes, we’ve held hands before, but it’s me taking hers. Not the other way around.
    When I park and we all get out of the car, I don’t want to let go of Maxima’s hand, but Arabella is in between us.
    Once we’re seated, Arabella next to Maxima, we all look over the menu. Arabella wants her nachos and Maxima a couple tacos. As for me, I want the enchilada meal. It’s kind of sad; we all seem to order the same thing over and over. I’ll need to break out some of Mom’s recipes and expand our palate.
    Arabella begins to go on about tomorrow’s dance class. She seems to be even more excited than before. I’m so happy she’s happy. I love her more than the air I breathe, and I would give up hockey if I had to in order to keep her with me. I’d do anything.
    Hell, I’ve already lied to the greatest woman on the planet to get her to move into my house, life, and now, my bedroom.