Wait For Me

“Will do. So, you’re at Gray’s again?”

“Yep.”

“Weren’t you there all day yesterday?”

“Uh-uh.” And well into the evening.

Nick pauses and then says, “Are you going to watch his kids every day?”

“No.” But I could, if he needed me to, I think to myself, remembering Grayson’s offhanded comment yesterday. “You’re hired.” “Do you have a problem with me helping him out?”

“No. It’s just…not like you.”

“It’s also not like me to bash in a car with a baseball bat, commit grand theft auto, and step away from work for any extended period of time, but here I am.”

I can practically hear Nick rolling his eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“I do, but I can’t sit around all summer and do nothing. It’s barely been a week, and I’m already bored.”

“I understand. It’s just—”

“There you go, sweetie. Don’t forget to put the brush back in the bathroom,” I whisper, patting Emma on the back. “It’s just what?”

“I don’t want him taking advantage of you.”

“Are you kidding?” I scoff. “I had to beg him to let me watch his kids.”

“That sounds like Gray,” Nick says, sounding relieved.

“He’s your friend, Nicky. Don’t you trust him?”

“Yes, but you’re my sister, and—”

“And I’m a big girl. Stop worrying. I’ve enjoyed hanging out with his kids, and he had plans to have a guy’s day with Jack today before Angela quit. I’m just helping out.”

“Okay, I’ll stop grilling you. What time will you be home?”

“Are you asking because you miss me, or because you and Jessa want to get freaky in the living room and don’t want to risk me walking in?”

“I was thinking the kitchen. Our counter is the perfect height.”

“Bleh.” I make a gagging noise, which causes Henry to giggle, so I do it again. “Remind me to bleach your table before we eat off of it next time.”

“I’m joking. Well…maybe.”

“I’ll be home later, whenever Grayson and Jack get back. I don’t know what time it’ll be, so don’t wait. If there’s something you and Jessa want to do, go do it.”

“Okay. But keep in touch.”

“Will do.”

I hang up as Emma walks back into the room.

“Can we go outside and pway?”

Henry wobbles up from his spot on the floor and claps his hands. “Pway!”

“All right. Let’s do it.”