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Her head tilts. “Or just unpleasant declarations, I guess.” She sighs. “I am aware we don’t need to be friends, Duke. I just figured it might be nicer. Since I’m living under your roof.”
Once again, I squash a pang of guilt. She hides it well, but I can tell she’s offended. But guilt is easier than the alternative—actually doing as she suggests. Being friends with June feels dangerous. “I believe you’re a good fit for Tabby, but it remains to be seen.”
Her eyes widen and then narrow. When she speaks, though, it’s carefully measured. “What we need is a little space. I only ask that you give us that. Unless you consider hovering and walking past the rooms that we’re in a zillion times space.” It’s teasing, but I don’t smile.
My hands fall to my hips. “I worry about my daughter. She’s struggling.”
“I get that, but you wouldn’t have hired me if you didn’t need help.” She presses her lips together, and her eyes soften. I don’t want to see compassion right now, though.
I glare at her. “It’s just… you make me uncomfortable.”
She jolts as if I slapped her. “What?”
Again, the flare of conscience. I ignore it, crossing my hands over my chest. “You’re so cheerful. It’s unnerving.”
She pushes to stand. “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
I agree—I sound like an idiot. But I don’t want to admit how fascinating I find her or tell her that her smile feels more addicting than crack. The less time I spend with her, the safer for me. Except that makes me feel like a coward, and I hate that even more. I throw up my hands. “Can’t you see this is awkward? It’s obvious we don’t get along.”
She flinches, and it’s decided—I’m a grade-A asshole. The pain on her face makes me feel small, and I swipe a hand over my hair, wondering if the floor could swallow me up. Her face smooths over instead. “Isn’t that what you wanted? For us to not ‘get along’? Everyone was worried I’d try to seduce you or something.” Her cheeks redden at the word seduce, and again it frustrates me how I find her flushes so appealing. “At least you can be sure that won’t happen.”
“That’s good news.”
Her chin hitches up, and I haven’t hated myself this much in a long time. Unable to look at her any longer, I pick up the papers I brought from my office earlier. “Training camp starts tomorrow, and I won’t be around much. I want you to be prepared.” I hand her the paperwork. “This is a list of emergency contact numbers. All my numbers, my email, Tabby’s grandmother’s number.”
“The one who broke her leg?” she asks, and I nod. “Didn’t you say she was in Switzerland?”
“Just in case you have questions and can’t reach me.”
“Right.”
“I wrote up a detailed schedule of Tabby’s activities. I’ve already contacted all of her teachers, her coaches, her guidance counselors… anyone you might need. They received the email and cell phone number you provided on your resume. Is that correct?” I wait for her nod before I retrieve my phone from my pocket. “I’ve got you programmed into my phone as well.”
She scans the papers I handed her. “Did you really write 911 next to the emergency number?”
I ignore her. “Tab has a dance class tomorrow at three. I’ll text you the directions. There’s a car in the garage you can use to drive her.” I’ll drive the convertible so she can use the Range Rover. The two-seat BMW is fine unless the weather is bad. It doesn’t handle well in the snow.
“I’d prefer to take my car.”
“The car on the street?” I shake my head. “Absolutely not. You shouldn’t even be driving that thing.” Her car is probably older than she is, and I’m not even sure what color it originally was.
She glares at me, but when she speaks, it’s clear she’s trying to be professional. “I just took it in for a tune-up.”
“That thing couldn’t carry a tune if you strapped one to the roof rack.”
Her brow furrows in confusion. “It doesn’t have a roof rack.”
I finish setting our dinner dishes in the sink. “I’ll leave my car.”
She sighs. “How far away is her dance studio?”
“It’s only in town. A mile or so.”
“You know, we could walk in an emergency.”
“I would prefer that you didn’t have to.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “Aren’t you going to be at the practice facility? That’s only a couple of miles away. I could call you if we have any problems.”
