“Damn it. Do you have a full legal driver’s license?”
“A full, one, yes.Legal, however.”
“Flo,” Mae warns her, shooting her friend a look that saysNow isn’t the time for jokes.
“Do you know first aid?”
Please say no.
“Thebasics, yes.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-six.”
Jesus. Will she just run amok?
“I’m not looking for someone who will just watch him, you know? I want him to be busy, learn new skills, and have fun. This is more than just supervision.”
“You’re looking at the queen of fun. And responsibility, by the way. I’m still young, too, so I can probably pick him up without throwing my back out, if that counts for anything.”
I narrow my eyes into slits, ignoring the joke. “Do you have experience with kids?”
“I have a seven-year-old niece. She likes me.” Flo’s eyes flit over to my son again, and I swear I see them melt a little.
Leo flashes a toothy smile at both of us. It’s a jab to the gut. He’s never had any say in who takes care of him. He’s never cared before, but looking at his face right now… I can see he wants this, and there aren’t many things that Leowants, unless we’re talking desserts or staying up late watching Disney movies he’s seen probably one hundred times before. His current favourite—Brother Bear, although I’m pretty sure he doesn’t actually understand what’s going on.
My coach is practically vibrating with relief. “Well, what do you say, Flo?”
She studies me before inhaling and dipping her chin, a small smile breaking out on her face. “Fuck it. I’d happily be Leo’s nanny. If Evan agrees.”
Everyone around me natters in excitement, but it’s like they’re not even here. I’m too busy focusing on how mine and Flo’s eyes clash, static electrifying the air, making my muscles taut and my stomach contort.
This woman is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. I know she’s going to test my patience—patience I simply don’t have.
But she doesn’t seem to like me, which is actually a good thing. I don’t have to worry about her wanting to spend more time with me than she needs to.
Plus, since she’s never done something like this before, she’s bound to mess this up and do something questionable that my coach can’t argue against.
I give her two days tops before she gets herself into trouble.
“Fine. We can try it out for a few days,” I mutter, my voice husky, knowing I’m going to regret this. “But one more F-bomb and I’ll change my mind.”
Flo smirks. “You got it, boss.”
“And don’t call me boss.”
Without a second thought, “Yes, boss,” slips from her wide lips, and I groan.
God forbid she calls me that on a daily basis. The reckless, impulsive part of me I’ve kept wrapped up for so long likes it, and I don’t need to be a genius to understand that’s not a good thing.
5: Flo
This is a trial,I remind myself as I pull up outside Evan’s house. The summer Thursday sun that’s shining brightly today puts me in a somewhat chipper mood, but I know he’ll be watching and scrutinising my every move, which puts a damper on things. Judging by how desperate his coach sounded the other day, though, he’s not really in a position to fire me over minor details.
Because look how far that’s got him.
I manoeuvre my car, eyes drifting to a grumpy-looking Evan—very on brand. If he were wearing a watch, I’m sure he’d be glancing at it right now for dramatic effect to remind me of how I’m two minutes late.
