“I wanna play! Your place don’t have toys, Auntie Reese...” she whines.
“Take whatever you want home,” Nick urges, waving a hand at the bounty of toys.
“No, we can’t spoil her that much. Then if she’s here with a nanny, she’ll just think it’s boring.”
Nick gives me a slow look. “We’ll get new toys. Simple solution.”
Millie’s eyes go wide and she drops the unicorn, pressing her little hands to her cheeks.
“Oh my Gosh! A...a slide?”
“Sure is, little lady.” Nick smiles and nods at her. “And if you’re good for your aunt tonight, you’ll get to come back real soon and use it as many times as you want.”
So, nice guy or not, he’s still part Lucifer.
The giddy smile Millie throws him reminds me he’s a natural charmer.
“We’re lucky she just noticed it now,” I whisper before turning to her. “Okay, Millie. One time, and then we go.”
She takes off, shooting up the steps, crawls across the bed, and goes tearing down the slide with her arms in the air. “Wheeee!”
“See? She’ll be fine with the nanny,” he says, searing me one last time for today with that irresistible look.
10
Dollhouses (Nick)
I sit down at the bar and lift a finger. “Give me a beer. Whatever’s on tap.”
“Haven’t seen you here in a while,” Jeff says, flashing me his usual affable smile.
“Has it been that long?” I try to sound friendly.
I love this place, but I haven’t missed it much.
“A couple months, at least. You used to stop by nightly. I’ll grab you that beer.” He scurries off.
I should be proud. Mostly, I’m hoping I’ve finally reached the point where I can nurse a lonely beer without risking a descent back into a black hole.
I glance at my phone to see if I have any messages from Reese.
The silence shouldn’t bother me. Then again, the poor girl has so much beating her over the head it’s hard not to check in and see how she’s doing.
I’m not about to crowd her, so I’m here for a drink and a distraction. To be among people and see the glinting city nightscape from another angle, rather than brooding at home.
Jeff slides my drink over, and I nod in thanks.
Before I’ve finished my third sip, he comes back, grinning like he’s got a winning pull tab. “The blonde in the corner wants to know if you’d like anything fancier than beer?”
“Like what?” I snort, not even cracking a smile.
Jeff chuckles. “Like her, I’m sure. She comes bearing gifts. That beats the hell out of dating apps.”
Leaning forward, I poke one eye at the corner of the bar. A platinum blond with half her hair in a fancy bun on top of her head smiles and gives me a syrupy wave.
When she raises her arm, her low-cut shirt sinks into cleavage, leaving nothing to the imagination.
She’d have been the perfect distraction for Old Nick.
Now? Now, her presence announces she’s the same dumbass mistake I’ve made too many times.
“Tell her I’m good.” I look at Jeff.
His eyes trail from me to her and then back again in disbelief.
“Really? You sure?”
I drain my beer halfway and nod. “If she keeps at it, get her a drink on my tab not to talk to me. The top-shelf stuff.”
Jeff rocks back and whistles, scratching his stubble loudly. “Whoa. No wonder you haven’t been coming around. You’re busy with a lady friend, huh?”
“She’s just not my type,” I say firmly.
“A few months ago, she’d already be in your lap,” he says with a laugh.
“Things change, but I will have root beer on my own tab.” I want to make sure this chick isn’t confused.
He grins. “No worries. I’ll tell Blondie her next drink’s on me.”
“Good luck.”
Jeff holds out his fist, and I bump it.
I scan through my phone, and I’m happy to see there’s finally an email from Sutton, my attorney, saying he’s connected with Reese.
My root beer’s waiting in a frosted mug when I set my phone down, draining the last of the beer.
In the corner, my would-be hookup is all smiles when Jeff hands her a hurricane. I chuckle to myself. Way to go, Jeff.
A few minutes later, he’s in front of me again. “You’re Mr. Popularity tonight.”
“Huh?”
He veers his head to the other side of the bar. “The wallflower with the long dark hair holding the wine glass. She asked what you were drinking and if you’d like another. If you’re going to look at her, be subtle. It was a dare from her friends. She turned red and stuttered, trying to get through it.”
I smile. “Tell her I’m flattered, I have a girlfriend, and she’s beautiful but I can’t accept the offer.”
Fuck. I wonder who’s saying these words.
“You sure you don’t want a quick look? She is beautiful. Women like her don’t just grow on—”
“You heard me the first time.” I shake my head. “Let her down easy, Jeff.”