He chuckled, "Well, maybe they just thought I looked nice."
She turned to look up at him with an exaggeratedly serious face.
"Daddy."
"Yes?"
"Why are you so handsome? Did you eat a handsome man for breakfast every day?"
He froze mid-step.
A small pause. Then—
"Pfft!" He couldn't hold it anymore. His laughter burst out, rich and warm, echoing through the park. "Eat a handsome man? Where do you even learn these things?"
"I just thought about it!" she said proudly.
Her confidence only made him laugh harder.
When he finally caught his breath, he knelt and flicked her forehead gently. "Silly girl."
"But I'm serious, Daddy! If you keep eating handsome men, what if you become too handsome?" She tilted her head in mock worry. "Then I'll have to bring a stick to hit the flies away every day!"
He smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Then I'll rely on you for protection, my little bodyguard."
"Don't worry! I'll protect you from all the old aunties!"
