Make sure she knows it's good to be smart.
He hates seeing her cry, just like her mama. It kills him that sometimes he's the cause of those tears, but not in this case.
"Carmen told me that boys don't like smart girls and she went and told Zach that I was a teacher's pet and a geek who reads every night because I can't think of anything else fun to do!"
The book report on the seven Chronicles of Narnia books remains on the floor where Lucy had thrown in when walking in as Danny wraps his not-so-little girl in his arms, trying to soothe away the hurt.
"C'mere, Luce. I wanna tell you something." He waits for her to sniff one last time before she looks at him expectantly. "You wanna know why I fell in love with your mom?" Danny smiles. "Besides the fact that she's beautiful and brave, y'know? Your mom's one of the smartest ladies I know. And it's a lucky guy and a smart guy who likes a smart girl. So if ever there's a boy who don't like you 'cause you're smart, then he ain't worth it.
"Now, let's look at this, A-, huh? Luce, I am so proud of you. Tell me all about the project."