“No, you don’t,” she replied dryly, turning to leave…and he had to stop her.
“Anna,” he whispered, closing his hand around hers and gently pulling it back. God, her skin was so incredibly soft. “I need you.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“As a babysitter,” he added hastily, letting go abruptly. Too much contact wasn’t a good idea.
She jutted out her chin. “You may be acting childish, Lucas, but you surely can find your way to the conference room without me holding your hand.”
He gritted his teeth. “For Melody.”
“Ah,” she drawled, lifting her chin — but otherwise remaining silent.
Shit. She wasn’t going to make it easy for him. He supposed that was only fair. “All my babysitters have dropped out and my current one has to catch a flight, and…no one else knows about Melody. No one else but you.”
She raised an eyebrow.
He raised an eyebrow.
She remained silent.
He sighed. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“I wanted to know what it felt like to be you,” she remarked lightly.
Oh no. If she started in like that, the conversation would be difficult. He knew his communication skills were about as good as Leon was chaste.
“Anna…” he said, lowering his voice and searching her gaze. “I’m sorry. For making you angry. I know our situation is complicated. But I’m desperate. A friend is looking after her right now, but she has to leave in 45 minutes and…” He swallowed. “Please? You’re the only one I can ask.”
Anna lowered her arms, which she had crossed again. She peered into his eyes before finally pressing her lips together and whispering, “I wish you hadn’t saidplease.”
He fought a relieved smile. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes!” she said, rolling her eyes. “Although you don’t deserve it.”
His lips curled into an even wider smile as relief washed over him. “I know.”
“Well, that’s something,” she replied dryly, looking away. “But fine, I’ll go straight there. Would you give your current babysitter and Melody advance warning, please?”
“Sure. I’ll text her that you’re coming, but not who you are. The friend I was talking about is my agent, Hazel.” He scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable. “If she knew…”
“Sure,” she interrupted sourly. “The last name Temple would set off alarm bells.”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“Is there anything else that…”
“Melody isn’t eating anything green these days,” he interrupted. “She tends to forget to drink and then claims she’s dying of thirst. Her favorite toy is her doll, Anna, or the fire engine that can extend its ladder. Preferably, she uses it to save Anna. She can’t sleep without her stuffed eagle, Lulu. And she hates brushing her teeth, but will still remind you that she has to because she’s afraid her teeth will immediately fall out if she doesn’t.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Why does she think that?”
“I showed her a picture of Charkov and said he didn’t brush his teeth thoroughly enough.”
Anna laughed, and for a moment, his heart stopped.
“Ingenious. But okay. I can handle it. Don’t worry. I babysat regularly for half my life.”
He nodded. He believed her because…he trusted her. It surprised him, but that was how he felt. “Good. If anything happens, text me. And thanks. Really. I owe you.”
