Page 120 of Play Book

I love her.

I’m in love with her.

I almost told her last night, but I’d been serious about wanting to wait for the perfect moment.

A moment that feels like it’s never going to come.

There’s always something more urgent, an emergency, somewhere to be. We almost never have down time, to figure out who we are as a couple. The sex is off the charts hot, she’s sweet and beautiful and incredibly patient, but I can sense that she wants more. The worst part is, I want to give it to her.

I just can’t.

Not right now.

And it’s not fair to either of us.

I hate that I’m missing her retirement party, and even though she didn’t say anything, I know she’s disappointed that our time together was cut short. Again.

My thoughts are a chaotic jumble as I get into my car and head for home.

Ally’s last text told me that Marjorie left and Colleen is there.

That’s good, at least.

Now I have to figure out what to do next.

Firing Marjorie is a given, but I didn’t know what else to do. Or how to find another nanny in time for me to meet up with the team on this road trip. All of my backups are in New York. Saylor, Stevie, Autumn—the whole crew. Leaving me on my own.

At the end of the day, I’m a single parent now and I can’t count on anyone else.

And it’s hard as fuck.

I can’t even imagine how Carly dealt with it. I have money and resources—she had none of that. Not to mention her addiction issues.

Guilt hits me hard, right in the chest.

I shouldn’t have let her pull away.

She was older, but I was the more responsible one, the one with money and the ability to make a difference in her life. Instead, I’d let her struggle. Her and Ally both. I owe them.

“Uncle Canyon!” The minute I open the door to my condo, Ally comes flying across the room, launching herself into my arms.

“Hey, kiddo. It’s okay. I’m here now.” I hug her tightly, meeting Colleen’s eyes across the room.

“Thank you,” I say quietly. “I really appreciate this.”

“Of course.” She nods. “I don’t know what happened, but Marjorie was gone when I got here.”

“Jesus.” I gently push Ally away so I can look at her face. I don’t see any marks. “You okay, Ally?”

“I am now.” She nods.

“Well, I’m going to call the agency first thing tomorrow and tell them what she did.”

“I don’t know that you have any recourse if there’s no mark,” Colleen says softly. “It’s her word against Marjorie’s.”

“Yeah. I was thinking about that. But I’m definitely going to let them know. This isn’t cool.”

“It’s not.”

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