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“What? When?”
Nick took a breath to reply and glanced to his left. Then came what Hayley had expected and dreaded: the double take. She watched him notice the beers, then the black T-shirt, matching leggings, and apron that all said she was on duty. She forced a smile.
“These are for you?” she asked him.
“Oh. Yes. Thanks.” Nick actually scooted closer to the wall, like she needed more room to work. “Gavin, this is Hayley. Hayley, this is Gavin Beckett.”
Hayley turned to Gavin. “Did he run out of girls to invite?”
She tried not to cringe. She’d meant it as a joke, but it didn’t sound like one.
Gavin, God bless him, didn’t seem bothered in the least. “We have a deal,” he told her. “He gets me out of the house once a month, I pay for the drinks.”
“Sounds fair.”
“Hey,” Nick said, “I think you really impressed Linda.”
She felt her face grow warm. She wished he’d welcomed her to the Squeaky Lion team or lied and said it was good to see her.Ignoring her would have been better than bringing up Vivez Dance.
She said, “I didn’t realize you knew Linda.”
“I don’t,” he said. “Not really. She’s got me on a project for the summer.”
“How’d you get that job?”
His eyes cooled. She’d heard the anger in her voice, but she hadn’t intended to hit whatever nerve she’d just found. A rush of satisfaction unsettled her, like she’d scored a point. Like fencing. Like she’d stabbed him.
“I guess she knows there’s more to life than dancing,” he said.
More to life? She hadn’t been good enough to get the job she’d thought she was made for, but hey, there was more to life, so apparently she was just shallow. This from the guy who built his life around picking up women on karaoke night.
She shot back her best frosty smile. “Don’t worry. My boyfriend will do all the dancing for you.”
5
Nick woke up the next morning to a knee in his ribs and a hand grabbing his T-shirt; he gaped comically at a little girl in fuzzy footie pajamas, her blond hair sticking up in all directions. “Hey!” he exclaimed. “It’s my Rosie Bear!”
“Mommy’s makin’ pancakes!” She delivered the message with a triumphant smile.
“I love pancakes!” Nick reached out and hugged her to his chest, rocking back and forth as she squealed with delight. “Let’s go find Mommy, huh?”
She waited until he’d climbed off the couch and stepped inside the walker before she placed her hand on top of his. Nick would let her lead him anywhere.
It was a short journey out of the den, down the front hallway of the Beckett house, and into the kitchen. Rosie’s mother was standing over a griddle on the stove.
“Hello, Rose Beckett!” she said. “What did you find on the couch?”
Rosie grinned from ear to ear, pointing up at her companion. “I found Uncle Nick!”
“Yay! Let’s see if Uncle Nick can get you into your high chair, and I’ll bring you your pancakes.”
“Hang on just a second, Rosie.” Nick gave the cook a quick kiss on the cheek. “Morning, Mel.”
“Good morning, Nicky,” she said. “Did you boys have a good time last night?”
“Of course! You know we bring the good time with us.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure your audience was grateful.”
