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“I really am sorry.”
He waved a hand in the air. “It’s not going to change the outcome by rehashing it all the time. You either want to watch her or you don’t. I can try to find someone else.” His shoulders hunched. “Or not go at all.”
“No,” she blurted, hating the defeat she saw in his features. “I’d love to. I never imagined you’d let me. Please, I’d love to. Go…wherever you’re going.”
“Poker night. I haven’t been to poker night in over three months and my friends are bugging me about it.”
“Hey, you need breaks, too. Don’t feel guilty about going. Amelie and I will have a wonderful time. And so will you.”
He stared at her for the longest time before producing a small grin. “Thanks. Come over around seven. I should be home no later than ten.”
“Sounds perfect. Don’t rush home. Have fun. You deserve it.”
By the shattered look in his eyes, he didn’t believe that.
Everyone deserved a break now and again. He didn’t have to be super dad twenty-four seven. Somehow, she’d get him to believe that.
9
She wanted to scream from the top of her lungs. The clothes scattered all over her bed told her she was being an idiot. Corey wouldn’t even be there. It’d only be her and Amelie and it didn’t matter what she wore. She didn’t need to impress anyone.
And what would be the point of trying to impress Corey? It was never going to happen between them. Wearing a cute dress or a snug sweater that hugged her every curve wasn’t going to change the outcome. They were just friends.
Yep.
She was upping their odd relationship to friends. Friends asked friends to babysit. If they were less than that he never would’ve asked. So yeah, she was going to start considering them as friends.
Which meant she’d go dressed as a friend. Keeping her lime-green leggings on with the oversized white sweater—not showing an ounce of curves—she left her room. She’d hang everything back up tomorrow. Or tonight. Or shove it all on the floor and do it tomorrow. Yeah, definitely tomorrow.
She grabbed the book she bought Amelie yesterday and shoved it in her purse. She left, fifty percent excited to have this opportunity and fifty percent nervous to see Corey once again. She hadn’t seen him since Monday. Four long days of no contact. Of no awkward looks. But they had decided since she’d be babysitting, she’d wait until Friday. Well, she had decided. She didn’t want to feel like she was crowding too much of his time. The last thing she wanted to do was annoy him and he pushed her out of their lives.
Nobody was coming or going when she arrived at his apartment, which made her sad. She wanted to know how Mr. Bederman’s date went. She wanted to tell Mrs. Forrester she tried the ham bites on Wednesday and it was delicious. Getting more recipes from her would be a must. She loved trying new foods and broadening her cooking skills. As long as it was healthy, or semi-healthy. What she put into her body was important to her.
She blew out a breath before knocking on the door. Corey swung it open, Amelie in his arms. He looked a mixture of terrified and excited. His brown leather jacket was already on and a small dose of cologne wafted in the air.
Who was going to be at this poker party? She had assumed all men, but perhaps she was wrong. Why else would he put on cologne? She usually didn’t smell it on him.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” He gestured for her to come in and shut the door.
She took off her coat and hung it up, sliding off her shoes. Then she pulled the book out of her purse and wiggled it in front of Amelie.
“Girl time tonight, sweetie pie. You’re going to love this book.” At least she hoped so. It was small, no bigger than four-by-four with a little bear puppet in the front. It only required one finger to move it around as you read the story about the bear going night-night.
“She loves storytime. I usually give her a bath around eight. All the stuff is set out on the toilet seat for you. Sorry, it’s a small bathroom. She likes bath time, splashing and stuff. I feed her her last bottle, then read a story, and by nine she’s ready for bed.”
“Sounds perfect.”
He nodded, hesitated, then handed Amelie over.
Damn. He didn’t trust her. That hesitation said enough. He was leaving her alone with Amelie, but he was leery to do so. Well, she’d prove him wrong. That she could be the most trustworthy person on the planet.
Corey walked to the counter and picked up a notepad. “You have my number, but for some odd reason you can’t get ahold of me, here’s my brother’s number. The number to the bar. And also his wife’s number, Jezebelle. I added Gabby’s number, too, just in case.”
“We’ll be fine, Corey. I promise. But thank you.”
He nodded but didn’t respond. His troubled expression said he didn’t want to go. The silence that coated the air confirmed it. The fact he didn’t move toward the door told her volumes.
