He clearly doesn’t like that answer, eyes popping and body tensing. “Where’s Ava? What are you doing here?” He ushers Leo closer to his side, away from me.
God, he probably thinks I’m some obsessive fan who’s stormed my way into his house.
“She left,” is all I say as I compose myself, noticing Evan’s eyes hone in on the flour coating my cheeks, and I wipe at them with the back of my arm, awkward laughter bubbling inside my chest.
“She… left? What do you mean she left?” There’s clear panic in his voice.
“She said something about your sister. Alexander sent me from Starbound, and she mistook me for her. I didn’t have a chance to explain myself before she practically ran out screaming.” I cock a brow, a small smile of disbelief tainting my lips. This situation is something out of a comedy sketch. “I wouldn’t hire her again if I were you.”
Evan’s eyebrows collapse in on one another. “This situation isn’t funny, so I don’t know why you’re laughing. Judging by what I’ve just walked into, you’re no more trustworthy than she was.” He lifts Leo into his arms and nods down at the flour. “What have you been doing in here? And why would Alexander sendyouto my house?” His scowl is accusatory, and I narrow my eyes while he studies me. Judges me.
I get it. He’s shocked and worried, but Evan’s acting as if this is my fault. Icouldhave left Leo by himself, but I didn’t. He’s the one who hired an incompetent nanny who left the second she got the chance.
“I was dropping off a toy left at Starbound, which Alexander wanted to throw in the trash, by the way. And as for this”—I gesture to the floor—“accidents happen. It can be cleaned.”
“Flo brought Donkey back,” Leo buts in, his child brain oblivious to the tension lingering in the air. It’s so thick that we should all be choking, but like the ray of sunshine Leo clearly is, he’s breathing just fine.
“God, and you didn’t try to contact me? Why not? How long hasAva been gone?”
Alexander warned us Evan could be standoffish, but his gruff demeanour is worse than I thought it would be. How has he raised such a smiley and giddy child when he walks around like he has a giant rod up his ass?
“Well, I apologise for not being able to find a famous football player’spersonalphone number. I tried to contact my boss, but he didn’t reply. Ava left about an hour ago, and I stayed with Leo so he wasn't alone. You’re welcome.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Where’s your dustpan and broom?”
Evan’s eyes widen. “For what?”
“For the flour?”
“I can do it myself.”
I sigh. “Right, of course you can.” Brushing my flour-covered hands on my jeans, I move towards the doorway, tapping my foot impatiently. Evan stares down at me, scratching at the slight facial hair smattered across his chin and jaw.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you to move so I can leave,” I retort, fed up with his critical stare.
I understand Evan’s startled. He’s just come home to someone he doesn’t know in his house, and if I were him, I’d feel the same, but I’ve had a shitty day. The least he could do is thank me for staying with his son.
I don’t look like a sleaze, do I?
Evan immediately moves out of my way. “What have you been doing for the past hour?”
“Oh, just desperately waiting for you to come home so I can ask you to sign my life-sized poster of you I secretly keep in the back of my car. Let me quickly just go and get it,” I say, voice full of sarcasm, lips spread in a fraudulent smile.
He blinks at me before raising a brow, and I roll my eyes.
Jesus. Get a sense of humour.
“I was waiting for someone to show up. Look, I’ve had an awful day. My boss is a grade-A dick, I haven’t eaten since lunch, and it’ll be getting dark soon, so I really just want to go home.”
“Does it look like I’m stopping you?”
With legs carrying me towards the front door, my fingers wrap around the doorknob tightly, and I swivel my head to see Evan gazing down at the toys scattered across the floor. I’d feel a pang of guilt for not cleaning them up before leaving, but he’s being difficult. He can do it.
My eyes shift to how his Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows, plus the sharpness of his jaw. He could cut ice with it. I see why women fawn over him all the time, except then he probably opens his mouth, and they immediately get frightened and run. I’m used to dealing with people like him, though. Usually, they’re a little more willing to let you do things for them, but Evan West is just clearly stubborn.
His eyes skate over me, lingering on my hips for a few seconds, prompting me to pat my pockets.
“I didn’t steal anything, if that’s what you were wondering.”
