I’ll just have to tell him about them later. That’ll gain me an eye roll and glare.
What can I say? I find entertainment in prodding the bear.
“Hey, I’m Sam.”
I look to my left and see a good-looking man with cropped hair grinning at me, the one from the Missarali Storks team barbecue. His dark brown eyes bore into mine, and his lips tilt in a flirty smirk. He’s dressed as some kind of macho, weight-lifting man, and his tank top barely covers his defined chest and abs.
He’s cute, but I’m not sure he’s my type. I can already tell he’s eager; desperate men like that just don’t do it for me.
“Flo,” I introduce myself, and Sam’s eyes flit up and down my body. It’s not creepy, but he’s making it very obvious he’s checking me out—his way of letting me know he’s available.
“I’m not feeling too good, Doc. Want to take my temperature?”
“Sure.” I twizzle my index finger, indicating for him to turn around and show me his butt as I pull out my fake thermometer from my dress pocket. “Bend over. Littlewarning, this might hurt.” My eyes are challenging, and I stand with my hip cocked.
Sam pauses, lips flattening. “On second thought, I actually feel fine. Thanks.”
“If you say so. Just trying to do my job.”
“You’re funny. I like you. Heard you’re Evan’s nanny, so I was wondering if you would consider being a nanny forme?”
“Do you have a kid?”
“No.” Sam wiggles his eyebrows. “But I could use some looking after.”
“Sorry, I don’t nanny man-babies,” I quip back. “Although if you need your diaper changed, I’m sure one of your friends wouldn’t mind lending you a hand.” As I gesture to Bennett and Nathan, they both snicker.
“But—”
“Alright, you’re cut off.” Nathan grips his friend’s shoulder and forces him to turn around, pushing him off in another direction, and as he opens his mouth to say something, his eyes widen, focused on something—orsomeone—over my shoulder.
“West, you came!” Bennett cheers from beside me, cracking the world’s biggest smile.
“Why the fuck are you dressed as a giant slutty banana, Quinn?”
That humoured voice makes me shudder, and I spin around and lock eyes with a pair of icy grey ones. The air suddenly feels different.
Evan’s addressing Bennett, but he won’t take his eyes off me, allowing them to drop down my body before he flicks them back up, like it’s a reflex he has no control over. There’s heat behind them, a scorching fire, but it also looks like frustration, a mix that’s making my head spin because damn, does he look good as he checks me out.
His arms are crossed over his chest, giving me a great view of his veiny forearms, and my mind drifts to thoughts of my nails digging into the flesh as I cling to him. I prefer a more mature man these days, especially when I can see them holding themselves back from eye-fucking me like it’s the last thing they should be doing right now.
I slip into an old dress from years ago, and suddenly I’m acting like I have no self-control. I really need to get it together because he’s my boss and is looking to replace me as soon as possible. He’s professional, and I think we’d have to be told a meteor was hurtling towards Earth, and there would be survivors for us both even to consider going there with each other in reality.
I study his costume—or, rather, lack of costume. He’s dressed in his regular clothing—a pair of dark-wash jeans and a navy shirt rolled up at the sleeves, but he’s wearing a pair of cat ears on his head, and judging by the way they’re squeezing his cranium, they’re a child’s size and definitely Leo’s.
I’m surprised he’s even wearing them, to be honest, but I think it’s his son’s doing.
“Wow, you’ve really outdone yourself,” I say on a laugh.
“Back at you, Florence.” His eyes glint with challenge, and I clamp my molars together and give him my bestOh no, you didn'tglare.
Mae stifles her giggle, knowing how much I despise my full name, and quickly changes the subject, asking Evan, “So, Coach Darrell’s taking care of Leo for tonight?”
Evan gives a half-shrug. “He said I needed to get out and socialise, but I think he was just using it as an excuse to spend the evening with Leo. Said he prepped him Mac and Cheese and everything, and as soon as Leo heard that, he was practically begging me to take him. It’s good to leave him with someone I actually fully trust, though.”
Ouch.Okay, that stung.
Scowling at the grump in front of me, I decide not to question him on what he meant by that. If he was trying to get to me, I don’t want him to think I took it to heart.
