It’d been almost two weeks since they’d had their heart to heart, and this was the fifth night Tinker had been over for dinner. They’d settled into a nice routine of dinner, dishes, bedtime routine, and heavy make-out sessions on the couch before he left. He’d even joined them at the aquarium last Sunday. It was nice and normal and maybe Olivia was right. Maybe he could stay over a couple nights instead of leaving them both in a state of need. ‘Cause the phone sex wasn’t going to cut it for much longer.
“Smells good,” Tinker said. “You need any help?”
Abby shook her head. “No, everything should be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
Tinker nodded and stole a green bean waiting to be cooked. “I know it’s short notice, but is there any chance you can slip away for a while tonight?”
“I’m not sure. What’s going on?”
“The weather’s perfect for a ride.”
Abby flipped the cutlets. “Like on your motorcycle?”
“Yeah. I haven’t taken you yet.” Tinker crossed his arms and leaned a hip against the counter next to the stove.
A spark of excitement burst in her before quickly dissipating. “I think my mom’s got something going on tonight.”
“I can watch Will, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Olivia said.
Abby took a step back to look around Tinker as he looked over his shoulder. “Eavesdropping?”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “I’ve been sitting here the entire time, it’s hardly eavesdropping.”
Tinker’s mouth tilted up at the corners. “She’s got you there.”
Abby narrowed her eyes. Just what she needed—Tinker and Olivia ganging up on her.
“What’s your rate?” Tinker asked.
“Huh?” Olivia’s look of confusion probably matched her own.
“For babysitting,” he clarified. “How much do you charge per hour?”
Olivia looked between Abby and Tinker. “I wasn’t going to ask for money.”
“If you’re doing a job, you should get paid for the work,” Tinker said.
Olivia’s eyes were wide, and she fidgeted with the pencil on her notebook. “I was just offering to do a favor for Abby.”
Tinker opened his mouth, and Abby smacked him in the stomach with the back of her hand. “Quit. You’re freaking her out. Take these, watch the cutlets.” She handed him the tongs and moved around him to stand across the counter from Olivia.
“Thank you for offering to watch Will. It’s a lot of responsibility. Are you ready for that?” Abby asked.
Olivia nodded. “I used to watch our neighbor’s son after school until his mom came home. Plus…” She shrugged.
“Plus, what?” Abby asked.
“I mean, I kind of owe you.”
Abby leaned her arms on the counter. “What do you mean? Owe me for what?”
“For taking me in.” Her voice was small and soft.
“Olivia.” Abby took Olivia’s hands in hers. “You don’t owe me anything. There is no score. If you want to watch Will to be nice, I will accept your offer, but if you’re offering to watch him because you feel like you have to, I’m not going to accept.”
Olivia nodded quietly, refusing to look at Abby.
“Hey. Where is this coming from? Did something happen?”
