“That’s if I go anywhere.” I gave her a teasing little grin, which I could tell aggravated her, but it wouldn’t be any fun if I didn’t do something to bother her. Especially since I knew she got such a kick out of bothering me.
Rolling her eyes, Angela turned away and strutted out of my office.
Moments later, my cell rang with a call from Nova.
I paused for a moment.
Despite the conversation I’d just had with Angela, I still wasn’t sure that I was ready to talk to her. With how things were now, hearing Nova’s voice wouldn’t be easy, and I didn’t want to pretend like it would be.
I needed more time.
Taking a deep breath, I hit the ignore button and shoved my cell into the top drawer of my desk.
Maybe later.
14
Don
I glanced down at my watch as I hurried out of the car and headed into the childcare center to pick up Dakota. I was fifteen minutes late, so I knew I was about to get the tardy speech. But if I was lucky, I wouldn’t have to get it from Vivian Parks. She was the one person in the center that gave me hell every time I saw her. But it hadn’t always been that way. It only started after I turned her down for a date. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a beautiful woman, but I didn’t like her vibe. Within seconds of being in her presence, I could tell that she had a terrible attitude, and that shit was a turn-off.
Standing behind the desk, Vivian eyed me with her hand on her hip. “Hello, Mr. Desaun. Another late day, I see.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. Things ran over at work, traffic was bad…”
“Mmhmm, well, you know that’s your third time. You only have two more before you have to consider other childcare options.”
Nodding, I said, “I’m aware of that.”
“Did Dakota’s mother leave town or something? I haven’t seen her in a while, and it looks like you need some help.”
Frowning, I leaned forward and signed my name on the sheet that sat on the desk. “That’s none of your business,” I replied.
“Oh, wow, aren’t we a little snappy today.”
“Nah, I’m good. I just prefer not to be asked questions about my personal life.”
“Well, what I asked includes Dakota, so…”
“I’m sorry, is there a reason why you’re still standing here talking instead of having someone bring my daughter out?”
Rolling her eyes, she lifted the walkie-talkie to her mouth and said, “Room 224, Dakota’s father is here for her, can you bring her down?”
“Sure thing,” a female voice replied.
“Thank you.”
“No problem,” she said. “And you know the late fee for today will be added to your payment this week, right?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Great, and let’s try not to let this happen again. I would hate to lose Dakota because her father can’t manage his time wisely.”
I jerked my head back. “Are you really that bitter?” I blurted.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard what I said…are you really that bitter?”
