Chemical Attraction by Addison Moore

Author:Addison Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781624300684
Publisher: Hollis Thatcher Press, LTD.

* * *

Thursday, Ember’s first day with Chelle, I decide to leave work early and head to the house, only they never made it. I call Chelle and discover they’ve gone on an adventure to Pine Ridge to visit a ceramic shop, so I head that way, too.

Jolie’s Clay House is located on the town’s dusty main strip, right next door to a taxidermy shop and a bakery on the other side. I step in and find two enthusiastic girls sitting at an elongated table, the younger of which lights up like a Christmas tree at the sight of me.

“Daddy!” Chelle launches my way like a rocket. “Isn’t this great? Paint with us!”

I nod hello over at Ember who offers a vexing smile.

Chelle gives my sleeve a hard tug. “You need to pick out a biscuit ware because it’s been fired from its job,” she says it with such assurance I almost believe her.

A husky laugh comes from behind as an older blonde with familiar vibrant eyes steps forward. “She means bisque—pottery that’s been fired once. All you need to do is paint it, and I’ll fire it for you free of charge and glaze it.”

Ember swoops over between us. “Dexter, this is my mom, Jolie.” She wraps her arm around this older version of herself, and I can’t help but grin.

“Jolie of Jolie’s Clay House?” I offer her hand a hearty shake.

“That would be me.” She primps her hair and blushes at her brush with fame. “Go ahead and pick anything out. It’s on me today. Except maybe that oversized coffee cup the size of a bathtub. I don’t have a kiln big enough for it.” She dots a finger over her daughter’s nose. “Arlo is gonna help me talk to Elvis at the crematorium and see if he can help out with that.”

Ember wrinkles her nose at the thought. “Good to know.”

“It’s great to meet you,” I offer. “I’m Dexter Houston, Chelle’s—”

“Daddy”— she wags a finger at me—“oh yes, I know. And you’re also my baby girl’s boss.”

Ember’s pouty pink lips twist in a knot. “He’s my love master, too.”

Jolie swats the air just shy of Ember’s lips. “Oh, hush for goodness’ sake. There’s a child present.” She leans in close to Chelle. “Hon, I’ve got an entire Disney collection on that wall over there. If you look on the third shelf, I have a Snow White that looks just like you.”

“My mommy calls me Snow!”

“Well, I can see why.” Her eyes brighten as she watches Chelle dart for the goods. Jolie rises to meet up with her daughter once again. “Now, tell me all the juicy details. How long has this little tryst been going on? Is this the love match that crazy turd you told me about paired you up with?”

Ember’s mouth falls open a moment, a breath catching in her throat, and I’d bet money she was holding back a laugh. “No, Mom, this would be the crazy turd. He’s paired me with a boy named Lenard who is destined to have eight-foot-tall offspring right out of the womb.

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