“I missed you, but you’re still not getting any of this.” He motioned to his body.
I laughed, turning back around and throwing my shoulders back, chin up. “Don’t flatter yourself, Apollo. I get mine.” Oh Lord… was I ever getting mine.
There it was—the full smile, pearly whites and all. “Coming from your mouth, it just sounds all kinds of wrong.”
I frowned. How was I supposed to say it?
“Where’s Shayna?”
He stepped out of the doorway. “Her room.”
“Let me see the contract you have for your nanny candidates.”
“Contract?” His brows stood erect.
“Yes, a contract. You know, the expectations you have, their duties, like: learning activities, recreational activities, meals, excursions, housekeeping, etcetera. And rules like: no smoking, drinking, or drugs, no napping, no parties or inviting friends over, no social media, no photos and sharing pictures or revealing locations, no television or gaming…
“Please don’t tell me you’re interviewing nannies like looking for someone to mow your lawn. You had to sign an extensive contract to chase a ball and pat guys on the ass. For the love of God, Everson, youneeda contract to hire someone to take care of a child, a fragile human being.”
“I told you I’m not good at this shit. I told you?—”
“Shh…” I shook my head pointing toward the bedroom.
He rolled his eyes.
“It took you ten seconds to contact your attorney for help when you weren’t going to keep her. A quick call to ask him for help with a contract for a nanny should be a no-brainer.”
“Lake!” Shayna yelled, running toward me.
I bent down and hugged her, looking at Everson. How could he not be head-over-heels in love with her? Even if she did need a bath.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Take care of it?” he asked.
“I’ll hire a nanny for you.”
Everson stared at me as if I had a “but” or a “you owe me” that I hadn’t yet shared.
“Now, I think someone needs a bath again and maybe tomorrow I’ll take you to the salon.”
Perfect mocha eyes looked up at me. “Salon?”
“A haircut and maybe we’ll paint your toenails too.”
Shayna grinned then looked at her brother. “Evson, can I go?”
There it was, the little girl chipped away at his tough façade like I knew she would. The confusion on his face said he didn’t expect her to ask him for permission.
She looked up to him.
She respected him.
She trusted him.
It was a gift and I knew he would start to see it a little more every day.
“Uh … yeah, whatever.”
