Chapter 6
Iwake to the smell of coffee and something sweet.
For a moment, I'm disoriented. Then I remember, Tyler stayed over.
I pad out to the kitchen to find him making pancakes, Mochi weaving between his ankles.
"Morning," I say, my voice still rough with sleep.
He turns, and his smile is devastating. "Morning, beautiful. Sleep well?"
"Amazing. You?"
"Best sleep I've had in months." He flips a pancake. "I made coffee. And I found your pancake mix. Hope you don't mind."
"Mind? You made me breakfast. I'm basically in love with you already."
The words slip out before I can stop them.
Tyler freezes.
Oh God. Did I just say that out loud? After knowing him for barely a week?
"Chloe—"
"I'm sorry. That was too much. Too fast. I didn't mean—"
"Stop." He crosses to me, cupping my face. "Don't take it back. Don't apologize for how you feel."
"But it's crazy. We barely know each other."
"Sometimes you just know. Sometimes the right person walks into your life and everything clicks into place." His eyes search mine. "I'm falling in love with you too."
My breath catches. "Really?"
"Really. I know it's fast. I know it doesn't make logical sense. But I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
"What do we do now?"
"Now? We eat pancakes. We go to work. We keep getting to know each other." He presses a kiss to my forehead. "And we let ourselves fall. Together."
"I can do that."
"Good. Now sit. Breakfast is ready."
He serves me pancakes with fresh berries and syrup, with a side of crispy bacon, and I take a photo to send to the group chat.
Chloe: He stayed over (just sleeping!) and made me breakfast.
The responses are immediate.
Madison: KEEPER. Marry him immediately.
Lily: This is so sweet I might cry.
Holly: Justin never makes breakfast. I'm jealous.
Emily: I'm so happy for you, babe.
Amber: Living vicariously through you right now.
Maya: When's the wedding?
I show Tyler the messages. "They're invested."
"They're happy for me. We all root for each other."
"That's nice. Having people who care like that." He takes a bite of pancake. "My team is close, too. We have each other's backs in combat, and we support each other like brothers emotionally."
"Do you have friends outside the military?"
"Not really. I've moved around too much. Lost touch with people from before I enlisted." He's quiet for a moment. "You're the first person in a long time who I’ve trusted outside of my men."
"Tyler—"
“I'm thinking about the future. What comes next, after the Army. And for the first time, that future includes someone else."
My chest feels tight. "I'm scared of how much I want this. Want you."
"Me too. But I think the best things are worth being scared for."
After breakfast, Tyler has to leave for PT, but he kisses me thoroughly before going.
"Text me when you get to the shop," he says. "Let me know you got there safely."
"Yes, Daddy."
His eyes darken. "Keep calling me that and I'm going to have a very hard time concentrating during my workout."
"Good."
He groans. "You're trouble."
"You love it."
"I really do."
The shop is steady all morning, and true to his word, Tyler texts me throughout the day.
Tyler: How's it going?
Chloe: Busy but good. Had a customer order six lattes for her office.
Tyler: Did you charge full price?
Chloe: Yes, Daddy. No discount.
Tyler: Good girl. Proud of you.
The praise makes me glow.
At lunch, he sends another text.
Tyler: What did you eat?
Chloe: Turkey sandwich and an apple.
Tyler: Perfect. You're doing so well, sweetheart.
Around three, my phone rings. Tyler's name on the screen.
"Hey," I answer. "Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. I just wanted to hear your voice." There's noise in the background, voices, equipment. "I'm on a break. Thought I'd check in."
"I miss you."
"I miss you too. What time do you close today?" The time is generally the same, but he knows if we aren’t busy, I’ll sometimes close early and other times people will reserve the coffee shop for meetings or book clubs.
I charge a small fee for use and require them to order so much from the coffee bar.
"Six." I put him on a brief hold while I agreed to give a regular a significant discount on her purchase. She told me about her recent string of bad luck, and I felt bad for her. This poor woman is constantly having bad luck and I’m constantly discounting her afternoon coffee.
But, the smile she gives me is worth it.
"Want me to bring dinner? We could eat at your place, watch another movie."
"I'd love that. But Tyler?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't have to take care of me every night. I know you have your own life. Your own stuff to do. And you don’t always have to bring me dinner. That can get expensive."
"Taking care of you is what I want to do as your Daddy. But if you need space, tell me. I don't want to overwhelm you."
"You're not. I just don't want to be a burden."
"Chloe." His voice goes firm. "You are not a burden. Taking care of you brings me joy. It’s the part of our dynamic that I get the most out of. Don't diminish that by assuming you're too much."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Good girl. I'll see you at six-thirty."
The rest of the afternoon flies by. By the time I close up, I'm exhausted but happy.
Tyler shows up exactly on time with Thai food again and that smile that makes my knees weak.
"You really like Thai food," I observe as we settle on my couch.
"I really like making you happy. And Thai food makes you happy."
"You make me happy."
"Good. That's the goal." He opens the containers. "Eat. Then we're going to talk about something important."
My stomach flips. "What?"
"Your business. Specifically, you undervaluing yourself and your work."
"Tyler—"
"Nope. We're talking about this. Because watching you give discounts to everyone who asks is killing me. You work too hard to give your profits away."
"I'm just being nice—"
"You can be nice and still charge what you're worth. In fact, charging appropriately is respecting yourself and your business." He hands me a container of pad see ew. "When's the last time you raised your prices?"
"Um. Never?"
"Never? You've been open for two years and never raised prices?"
"I didn't want to lose customers."
"Sweetheart. Your coffee is better than Starbucks.
Your pastries are homemade. Your atmosphere is cozy and welcoming.
People will pay for quality. You are barely charging for the ingredients in your pastries, let alone the time and effort you put into making them.
" His voice softens. "But you have to believe you're worth it first."
"What if I raise prices and everyone leaves?"
"They won't. And if a few people do, you'll make up for it with the customers who value what you offer." He sets down his food and pulls me close. "You deserve to be compensated fairly for your time and skill. Say it."
"Tyler—"
"Say it, Chloe. Tell me you deserve to be paid what you're worth."
"I... I deserve to be paid what I'm worth."
"Again. Like you believe it."
"I deserve to be paid what I'm worth."
"Good girl. Now we're going to look at your pricing together. Figure out what's fair and sustainable. And you're going to implement the changes next week."
"What if I can't do it?"
"Then I'll help you. I'll be there when you announce it. I'll remind you that you're worth it every time you doubt yourself." His hand cups my face. "You're not alone in this anymore, sweetheart. You have me. Let me help you build the life and business you deserve."
I'm full-on crying now. Happy tears mixed with relieved tears mixed with overwhelmed tears.
"Thank you," I whisper. "For seeing me. For believing in me when I don't believe in myself."
"Always. That's what Daddies do." He kisses my forehead. "Now eat. Then we're going to cuddle and watch something ridiculous and you're going to let yourself be little for a while."
"Yes, Daddy."
We eat, and true to his word, Tyler puts on Lilo & Stitch and lets me curl up in his lap like a child. I don't suck my thumb this time, but I do clutch Mr. Snuggles and let myself fully relax into little space.
"You're so pretty when you're little," Tyler murmurs against my hair. "So soft and sweet and trusting."
"I like being little with you. It feels safe."
"That's because you are safe. Always. No matter what." His hand strokes my back in soothing circles. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Mm-hm."
"How little do you get? What does your little space look like?"
I think about it. "I don't know. I've never had someone safe enough to fully explore it. But I think... maybe four or five? Old enough to talk and understand things but young enough to need comfort and care."
"That's a good age. Still independent but needing guidance." He presses a kiss to my temple. "What kind of things does little Chloe like?"
"Coloring. Playing Barbies. Cartoons. Stuffed animals. Being read to." I fidget with Mr. Snuggles' ear. "Is that too childish?"
"Not even a little. Those are all perfectly normal things for a Little to enjoy." He pauses. "Would you want to explore that more? Have me read to you? Color with you?"
"Really? You'd do that?"
"Sweetheart, I'd do anything that makes you happy. If you want to color, we'll color. If you want me to read you stories, I'll read until my voice gives out." His arms tighten around me. "There's no part of you that's too much or too childish. Every version of you is perfect."
"I love you," I whisper. The words rush out before I can take them back. Then, they are said and hanging in the air between us. I hold my breath. Did I do it this time? Push him away by moving too fast?
"I love you too, my sweet girl. So damn much."
We stay wrapped up in each other for the rest of the movie, and I let myself believe.
Believe that this is real.
Believe that Tyler isn't going anywhere.
Believe that I finally found my person.
My Daddy.
And tomorrow, I'm going to start believing I'm worth what I charge.