“She’s been like this for as long as I’ve known her.”
“Which is basically likeforever. Penny used to be my babysitter.”
Daniel turned to Penny. “Is that so?”
“Best babysitter ever,” Eva continued. “Totally amazing person. Really great with kids. You’re lucky you get to spend time with her now that she’s babysittingyou.”
Daniel’s eyes widened.
“Eva,” Penny said sharply.
“She’s the perfect person to do it, too. Not only is she a wonderful human being, she’s very pretty. Don’t you think so?”
Daniel’s mouth opened but no words came out.
“Eva,” Penny said, her face flushing. “That’snotappropriate.”
“Why not?” Eva said, undeterred. “I think you’re pretty and there’s nothing wrong with me saying that.” Then she turned to Daniel and said, with startling directness:
“Mr. Bedford, do you agree?”
.
CHAPTER 9
Daniel stood there frozen, his eyes darting to Penny, clearly unsure how to proceed.
Penny blushed as irritation and embarrassment surged through her. “Eva,” she said firmly, determined to put an end to the girl’s matchmaking assault. “Enough. We’re not going there. Asking that question is inappropriate.”
Eva’s eager smile faded. She lowered her phone, guilt flashing through her eyes. “I went too far, didn’t I?”
“You most certainly did.”
“I shouldn’t have gone there?”
“Most definitely not.”
Her lower lip was trembling. “Am I going to be fired?”
“That’s not for me to decide.”
Her anxious gaze shifted to Daniel. “Mr. Bedford, am I going to be fired?”
Daniel regarded her silently for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “No, you’re not.”
Eva’s shoulders relaxed, relief coursing through her. “Oh, thank goodness.”
“Here’s how I see things,” he said, his voice calm and level. “Right now, we’re getting to know each other and figuring outthe best way to work together. We’re all here because we have jobs to do, right?”
“Right.”
“How about, going forward, we agree to keep our focus on doing our jobs as best we can?”
“Totally agree, Mr. Bedford,” Eva said. “Totally. Thank you. No more inappropriate questions from me, promise!”
Daniel turned to Penny. “Sound okay to you?”
“Sounds great, thanks,” Penny replied, pleased with how deftly he’d handled the situation. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
