“Good?” I asked her, hoping that was a good gasp since I didn’t have a lot of time to undo it.
“This is so perfect. Everyone is going to want my braids.” My heart swelled when she turned her head back and forth. “Can we do this every day?”
“If you get up early enough and actually eat your breakfast.” I helped her button her shirt and slide her plaid jumper over her head.
“This is going to be so great,” she whispered, filling me with almost enough relief to quiet the nerves that had gotten me up before sunrise.
Crafting decent braids didn’t make me a nanny expert, but I’d gladly take the good start and soak in any praise I could get.
“Did Daddy tell you what time I get out?” Bennie asked me as we approached the school doors.
“Yes, 2:25.” I crouched in front of her. “And I will be right here waiting for you.” I reached into my purse and grabbed my phone. “How about a selfie? I’ll send it to your dad and let him know that we got to school on time with no problems.”
Bennie looped her arm around my neck as I snapped our picture.
“Daddy gets lonely without me. He would like a picture of me.”
How could Lee think he was a terrible father? Bennieknew beyond any doubt that she was loved, no matter what tragic history she had or how terrible Lee felt for all the recent changes in her life. Maybe I could help him see that while I was here.
I gave her a quick hug before she hustled inside, sending Lee the photo even though he hadn’t landed yet. I wasn’t sure if proving myself as a good babysitter or my need to please Lee in general had made me a needy validation sponge, but I’d try not to focus on any of my chronic issues on my first day.
“Hey, Stella, is it?”
I turned to a pretty blond woman, beaming at me as if we were old friends. I’d worn yoga pants and a zip-up hoodie to take Bennie to school, but this woman’s outfit was more athleisure than sweats. Her hair and makeup were perfect despite the early hour, her full pink lips turned up as she came closer.
“I’m Lorraine. My daughter is in the same class as Bennie,” she said, holding out her French-manicured hand. “Lee said that a friend of his would be taking care of Bennie for the season while he was on the road.”
“Nice to meet you, Lorraine,” I said, taking her hand. “This is my first official day.”
“Glad to see it went well,” she said, her smile wide but a little saccharine. Maybe I was just jealous that she looked like she’d walked out of a magazine, while I dressed like I was hitting the gym after drop-off.
“Me too. Bennie is an amazing kid.”
“She is. I keep asking Lee to schedule a playdate with my Flora, but that poor man is always working.”
“He’s very busy with the team,” I said.
Debbie had been Bennie’s usual babysitter and had onlyworked part time while Bennie was in school, so why couldn’t Lorraine just ask her for a playdate?
When Lorraine glanced up and down my body as if she were sizing me up, I had my probable answer.
“I’m glad you were able to help him. I know the last time he picked up Bennie from school, he said that he didn’t know what his sister’s moving away meant as far as staying with the Bats, but I’m glad he worked things out. Be such a shame for them to move.”
I fought an eye roll. A hot single widowed dad with a little girl had to be catnip for single moms or anyone who saw Lee with his daughter. I’d located that viral shot he’d told me about of him holding Bennie, his biceps straining against the sleeves of his polo shirt as he cradled her close.
I’d saved it to my phone for the cuteness of the photo—and maybe the raw daddy sex appeal, but only a little. At least that’s what I told myself whenever I’d pull it up on my screen.
I wondered if he knew the hot commodity he was for women…or if he did know and indulged. My gut said no since he still held on to a ton of grief and guilt over losing Katie.
But Lee was also human with basic needs, if he ever stopped beating himself up to notice them.
I would bet Lorraine would happily help him with any voids he needed to fill, playdates or otherwise.
Why did that bother me?
I knew why, and that reason had never done me any good back when Lee had fallen in love with Katie, and it definitely wouldn’t help now.
I’d made a promise to myself to move on from this lifelong Lee affliction, and getting pissed at whatever his personal life was or could be was more wasted time. I had ajob to do and an obligation to fulfill. Who Leeplayedwith was none of my concern.
