Page 40 of Timelessly Ours
“Is she really your nanny?”
I nod. “She’s great with her,” I respond, doubting it for the first time after she lied to me this morning.
Jace rubs his chin. “Who are you protecting? One of your players, or the woman you can’t seem to tear your eyes off when she’s around.”
I glower at him. “Get out.”
He leans back, satisfied with himself. “Ahh, the latter.”
“I’m not interested in Nicole. I’m helping her.”
He releases a breath, giving up the interrogation. “Look, I get it. Telling Nick doesn’t sound appealing to anyone, but you can’t keep this to yourself.”
“I'm not. Now you know,” I point out with a shrug.
He stares at me. “Angel still feels like hell. It’s not fair.”
“And you won’t say a word. Some things are more important than easing guilt.”
He drags a hand across his face and stands. “You’re right. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Not a clue.”
He nods and opens my door. “If you need anything…”
“Thanks,” I mutter, pushing off my chair and locking the door behind him.
My emotional capacity is reaching its max today and it’s barely noon.
Parking my car in its usual side of my driveway, I hop out and head toward the front door—until I hear screaming coming from the other side of the house and run.
11
A few minutes earlier
The pep talk I gave myself earlier—the one where I reminded myself that I’m the grownup and she’s the child. The one where I assured myself, I can handle this…it’s failing me miserably.
Rory was quite smug with herself this morning when I didn’t say anything to her father.
I’m no fool. I know I’ll need to admit defeat eventually, but he’s been so hot and cold with me—and likely regretting hiring me—that I didn’t want to let him down again. I don’t want to add to his list of reasons to doubt me.
I just need to figure out why the hell this girl’s giving me such a hard time.
So far today, I practically did her homework for her, let her get away with zero vegetables during dinner, gave her two pouches of juice instead of one as directed, and now…she’s refusing a bath.
Again.
“Rory,” I beg. “You didn’t bathe yesterday either, and we told your father that you did. I think he’ll notice the mulch in your hair and patches of dirt on your legs when he gets home.”
“I’ll just wash my face.” She stuffs the folder with her homework in her backpack and heads for the stairs. “It’s okay. You don’t have to read to me today. I’m going to bed early.”
“But it’s still light outside…” I let my voice trail off since she’s already gone, and stare absently at the dog. The only living thing in this house that seems to like me.
After a long moment, my anger turns vengeful.
Careful Nicole, she’s six.
“Oh, this won’t hurt a bit,” I mutter with a smirk. “Hey, Rory,” I call up the stairs.
