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Those little ball busters. They meant their other babysitters. Unless I found a high schooler looking for some cash, which was rare, I had to find someone older, and usually whoever I found wanted to date me. Honestly, I’d indulge in a few dates, and as shameful as it was, I did it because I wanted them to keep babysitting. My girls always saw through it every time.
“But Haley doesn’t talk about you. She cares about us. She cares that we have nice hair and eat near fountains, she let us throw in all the coins in her purse even though we weren’t supposed to throw in any at all. So, all the wishes belong to us.” Of course, the one girl who didn’t want anything to do with me would treat my kids like they were her own.
Fucking figured.
Mila ran upstairs and emerged a few seconds later with her blanket. I knew she had to be tired. Once she was snuggled on the couch and the other two had set up a movie, I grabbed myself a beer and began hunting for dinner ideas. I had no idea what to make. Nothing was thawed out, and the kids had that big fancy lunch. I didn’t want to follow that up with macaroni and cheese, but it didn’t look like I had much of anything else.
Just as I was about to set the hot water on the stove, a knock sounded at the front door.
“I’ll get it,” Maddy yelled, running down the hall until her hand just barely wrapped around the knob. Right as she was about to pull it open, I placed my hand on the frame above her head and stared down at her.
“Remember?”
Rolling her eyes, she released the handle and slid away from the door. “You need to answer it after dark.”
“Yes, now go sit down.”
Maddy skulked back a few feet, but her gaze was still fixed on the door. It made my stomach clench. I didn’t think she even realized she did it. Whenever there was a knock on the door, especially in the evening, she would watch and wring her fingers together. Subconsciously I thought maybe she was expecting her mother to show up. It didn’t seem to matter how often I told her I would never let her back in, or that she never had to worry again, she was still afraid.
I swung the door open and froze on the spot.
Wearing a tiny scowl, Haley stood on my porch in a white coat that looked soft and molded to her frame so perfectly. I wondered if it was designed for her. Before I could even invite her in, she shoved past me.
“I just wanted to bring these for the girls. The hairdresser gave them to us, along with this spray stuff to help detangle their hair.”
The girls all crowded around her as I secured the door.
“What’s in the bag?” I couldn’t help but ask. She had four large containers stuffed inside a plastic grocery bag, dangling from her arm.
Haley’s gaze swiveled to mine, just as she began pulling each girl in for a quick hug.
“Here. The girls had leftovers.” Her blank expression made something pull in my gut.
Pride was a fickle thing, hardening my heart, but I forced it down as I accepted the bag.
Haley wouldn’t meet my eyes.
Once my kids took their containers to the table, Haley spun on her heel, facing me. Her green eyes narrowed as she stepped away. I followed suit until we were in the foyer, away from little ears listening in.
Clearing my throat, I decided to just pull the Band-Aid off.
“Look, about earlier—I shouldn’t have yelled at you. It was an overreaction…”
I couldn’t really dive into it much deeper because Haley was still a stranger. She didn’t need to see everything under the surface. She’d run if she knew how fucking deep and messy all this shit was. Didn’t change the fact that I owed her an apology.
Firming up her delicate jaw, she lifted that chin and glared.
“Thank you for the apology, but you owe me one for what you said before you left, too.”
What was she talking about?
“I didn’t say anythi—”
She took two steps closer, her pouty pink lips curved upward like she was about to enjoy this. “I don’t believe in holding on to grudges or staying mad. I think it’s a waste of time. I also don’t believe in misunderstandings. So let me be clear.”
Her hair hit her waist as she tilted her head back.
“I am rich, but I earned every fucking penny. I will not be treated less than because you’re too insecure to accept that I have money. It doesn’t make me a bad person that I was born into it. Men like you will not make me feel like I’m not worth your time simply because you’re a dick.”
