“So I’ve been told,” he quipped.“Now get on with it.”
She laughed, then did what he asked.They fell into a rhythm until he entered all the necessary information.After that, he continued tapping away at the keyboard while she left him for a quick tour of the building, which she did several times each day.After her walk, she returned to the office while Shomari was in the middle of a phone call.
“I’m at work andcannotleave in the middle of the day.”Shomari tipped his head back and rubbed his forehead.“Frankly, I don’t care what you want.You should have thought of that when you went out of town and forgot about our daughter.”
Lizette didn’t know whether to stay or leave, but decided on her next move the moment Shomari shifted in the seat and saw her.His frown dissolved into an unreadable expression as she walked to the desk.
“This ends right now,” He said through his teeth.“I’ll call you at lunchtime.”
He listened while someone with a shrill tone continued speaking, then snapped, “That’s your choice.”
“Everything okay?”she asked in the awkward silence while she slid into her seat.
“Not quite, but my issues will work themselves out.”He stood and motioned to the laptop.“I went ahead and put some material in based on what I read and the little I know of Wintertime.You can fill in what I missed, and I’ll come back after my next session, if that’s okay.”
“That works … and thank you, since you don’t have to do this.”
When he smiled, Lizette was glad she was seated.A shiver ran through her body that would have surprised her on another day, but not this one, since she’d had the same reaction when his lips brushed hers earlier.The man packed a powerful punch, and he wasn’t even trying.
“If you give me the assessment sheets for the kids, I’ll get those done,” Shomari said, on standing.
She handed him a file from the desk, but didn’t release it when he held it.
“Thanks again.”She released the folder and added, “I really appreciate your help.”
His lips curled at one corner, and his deep-hazel irises darkened.“I appreciate you more.”
Shomari crossed to the door, started to speak, then changed his mind.
Their gazes locked, and the pulse at her throat fluttered and then kicked into a heavy drum beat until he cleared his throat.“Catch you later.”
She nodded, but couldn’t muster a word in response.
Chapter 9
Ifhewasn’tcareful,he could lose himself in Lizette’s eyes.Before he opened his mouth a moment ago, Shomari knew precisely what he meant to say.Then, boom, he stood in the doorway like an idiot whose brain cells had gone MIA.
Whatever happened there wasn’t something he wanted to repeat.He’d promised himself not to lose his heart to another woman.On entering the lab, he checked to be certain no stray LEGO Blocks or Minifigures were lying in wait for him.One mishap for the day was enough.He sat at the sole adult-size desk and opened the file jacket.
He’d peeked in on Natanya, and aside from waving, she continued arranging blocks with a couple of other kids as though she’d been part of Wintertime long before today.The thought of her future, and the hole he was in, brought his concerns crashing down.
How would he set himself on his feet again after this devastating misfortune?If he’d been more vigilant about who he trusted, he wouldn’t be facing financial ruin.
The one thing he thanked God for, when his world unraveled, was that he had an education and could rebuild his life.Plus, he had a daughter he loved.Natanya looked nothing like him and everything like Christy, but it didn’t affect his feelings for her.Each time he saw her was a reminder that her mother had ruined his life.But he’d been the one who made a terrible decision that cost him everything.
He focused on his task, stacked the sheets, and completed the assessments for the kids in his first class, as Lizette requested.
The second session was smooth, except for one boy, Antonio, who wouldn’t sit still long enough to follow any instructions.Emily peeked inside and came to his rescue.One minute more, and Shomari might have lost his cool.Aside from being full of energy, Antonio had a smart mouth on him.
When Shomari explained that he wanted to give all his charges equal attention, Antonio puffed up his chest and announced, “My mommy says she’s paying good money for people at Wintertime Daycare to watch me.”
Shomari didn’t have a polite answer for that and was relieved when Emily intervened.
“He’s hyperactive,” she whispered, taking Antonio by the hand and leading him back to his seat.“I’ll stay until you finish.”
“Thanks.”He was so grateful, he could have hugged her.Antonio made it challenging for Shomari to stay focused on supervising the other four students while the little boy zoomed around the classroom, pretending to be an airplane in flight.
At lunchtime, he checked on Natanya.After two afternoon sessions, he called Earl.He came promptly, and while Shomari and Natanya sat in the back of the car, Christy rang him.“Can I pick up Nats now?”
