Rosa stole a chip. “Billy and I have come to an understanding where you’re concerned. We agree—you’re right—we should do more things as a family unit, and that includes rules.”
Imogen’s frown deepened.
“Not quite what you were expecting with ‘family time’?”Billy grinned and pinched a chip too.
Imogen rolled her eyes. “I’m not liking this.” She pointed a ketchup-covered finger at each of them in turn. “Ganging up on me.” She chuckled. “But I’ll get used to it, I suppose.”
“So,” Billy said, looking to Rosa, “I was thinking, on Tuesday I could slip out of work on my lunch break and—”
“That’s an option, but I think it would be easier for me to take Imogen to the training ground. I can make up my hours with Roger later in the day, which would make it easier for you to collect her after work and drop her home,” Rosa countered.
“I can get the bus,” Imogen offered.
“No,” they both said in unison.
Imogen stared at them. “Alright. It was just a thought.”
“If Billy agrees, I’ll pick you up at 12:15. You’ll have to eat a sandwich in the car,” Rosa said, falling into organised mother mode in the blink of an eye. “Then you can text when you’re done and Billy will be there to pick you up.”
“Sure,” Imogen said, pushing her chair back. “Need the loo.”
“You know, I think I hate that the most,” Billy said, sighing as she sat back in her chair.
Rosa frowned. “What?”
“Calling me Billy. I get it. I wasn’t exactly around much and calling me ‘Mum’ feels weird because you’re her mum, but I just… I wish I was more than Billy.”
“I don’t think she means anything less by it. It’s my fault, I suppose. I introduced you as Billy because I was scared you wouldn’t hang around, and I didn’t want her to feel abandoned by a parent.”
“Like I said, I get it.”
“Maybe you should talk to her about it?” Rosa suggested, dipping another chip into some ketchup.
Billy nodded. “Maybe.”
“What would you like her to call you?”
“I’ve no idea.” Billy chuckled and leant on her elbow, getting as close to Rosa as she dared. “I love you.”
Rosa started to smile, ready to reciprocate, when she spotted Imogen weaving between the tables on her way back to them.
“Ditto,” Rosa said quickly.
Billy grinned. “She’s coming, isn’t she?”
“Uh huh,” Rosa said, waving at Imogen.
Imogen flopped down into her seat. “You don’t have to wave at me—I’m not five anymore.”
Rosa raised a brow. “Funny, because right now, you’re acting like it.”
Chapter fifty-five
Rosa had spent all of Monday ignoring the flirtatious messages from Billy. Though she could admit she was enjoying them, she had work to do, and that took her focus for the most part.
As the hours wore down, however, she began to think a little more about Billy’s suggestions, and her body began to react. Heat built, her clit throbbing with the anticipation of spending a few hours between the sheets—or anywhere else Billy Fisk enticed her to get naked and frolic.
She was home by four, dinner cooking in the oven, Imogen upstairs getting changed out of her uniform, ready to go for her music lessons.
