I sniff. “I’m not always clumsy.”
His crooked smile tugs up higher. “Noted.”
“How… how long is the tour?” I’m almost afraid of his answer.
“Through the summer.” He clears his throat. “A little less than four months, starting in two weeks.”
Four months trapped on a bus with Jace Walker?
Dear God, what am I getting myself into?
9
JACE
Rhett and Paigewatch me pace across the living room and pat Layla’s butt. I have her cocooned in one of those baby wraps that straps her to my chest. It’s handy.
“Frank’s gonna be here any minute, so play it cool.” I rub my temple where there’s a steady throb. “And whatever you do, don’t be intense with Rory. Our agreement is hanging by a razor-thin thread. I’m afraid she’s gonna spook, and then I’ll be up shit creek again.”
Paige chuckles. “We’re not the ones you have to worry about. Calm down, Jace. This is going to work out.”
I wish I had her confidence, but I know this is crazy. Normal people don’t just pick up their lives and live on a bus for the entire summer.
A minute later, Rory’s vintage blue Beetle pulls up to the house. I peek through the blinds. “She’s right on time.” That’s a good sign. Not only for what this means for my tour, but my kid too. I want someone I can trust to take care of Layla.
I open the front door before she knocks. “Hey.” I think I scare her because she jumps back. “Sorry. Come in.” I’m kinda losing my shit. I hope she doesn’t notice. “Cool ride.”
She gives me a hesitant smile. “Bluebell belonged to my mom.”
I smile, loving that she named her car.
Today, Rory’s wearing one of her cute long dresses, all buttoned up the front, and her brown hair is up in a twisty thing. Her eyes aren’t swollen anymore. That’s good. She’s even wearing makeup that makes her pretty hazel eyes pop.
She’s beautiful. In a quiet, almost understated way. I dig it. She’s got curves in all the right places. And she doesn’t throw herself at me. I like that too. If anything, I’d say she didn’t like me at first but has come around to tolerating me. It makes me wonder what I need to do to win her over.
Plus, she has great taste in music.
And I like that she’s?—
Jesus Christ, no. I’m not gonna think of her as an attractive woman. Because that never works out well for me. Rory is my kid’s nanny. That’s it. That’s all we’ll ever be.
She and I stare at each other. Do I hug her? Shake her hand? Pat her on the back?
Fuck, I’ve never not known what to do with a woman before, but I’m at a loss right now. If we were friends, I’d hug her, but now I probably need to be more professional if I’m her boss. Is that how she’ll view me? As an authority figure? God, I’m gonna be sick.
She glances behind me. “Can I come in?”
Shit. “Yeah, of course.” I hold open the door.
Paige comes to the rescue and pulls her into a hug, frowning at me over her friend’s shoulder. She mouths, “Relax!”
I suck in a few deep breaths and park my ass in the rocker before I mess this up.
It’s fine. Everything’s fine. This is no big deal. Frank’s gonna show up, he’ll tell me this is a great idea, and we’ll be good to go.
Rhett and Paige do the small talk thing with Rory while I quietly lose my mind. When Frank arrives a few minutes later, I’m thinking maybe I should step outside so I can hurl in the bushes. I manage to keep my act together, but once we’re all sitting around the living room, Frank pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out an exasperated sigh. “Jace, tell me you have a plan to salvage this tour. Did you find someone to watch the kid while you’re gone?”
“What would you think if I got a nanny?”
