Page 37 of Always Be an Us

We stare at each other for several minutes. What to do now? Like with the first kiss, do we pretend it never happened?

No, we’re way beyond that at this point.

"That can’t happen again," I say the words dragging against my vocal cords.

Emma nods. "I was about to say the same thing."

"Good thing we're on the same page."

"Yeah, good."

The staring continues before Emma draws in a breath. "Anyway, like I was saying before..." She swallows. "I can’t accept that kind of money from you."

It takes me a second to recall what she's talking about. "Why not?"

"Because we’re not friends or anything. At least let me pay you back on a payment plan. I swear once the restaurant gets back on its feet, you'll have the full amount."

"I don’t want your money," I say, and an idea suddenly occurs to me. "But since you want to be so giving, how about a favor?"

She eyes me warily. "What is it?"

"My daughter. She seems to like you a whole lot and believe it or not, that's not normal for her with strangers. Would you mind babysitting her once or twice a week?"

"Babysitting?"

Yeah. Take her out exploring and stuff within reason. As long as it's safe."

"You trust me to do that?"

I sigh. "Yes. I suppose I have to loosen the reins on her at some point or she’s going to go wild when she’s older." It was exactly what happened to me. For much of my younger life, I was weighed down by the expectations of how to act, being the sole heir to my father's company.

It led to a pretty wild rebellious phase during my teen years.

Amelia's acting out is nothing compared to that, but I suppose she's my karma for everything I put my dad through.

"I trust you to take care of her," I say.

"You do?"

"I do." And to my surprise, I find it’s true.

"But you don't know me."

"Correct." Which is why it’s illogical that I trust her with my most prized possession. "But no one knows this place better than you. You'll keep her safe."

She offers a little smile. "Alright, but that hardly seems like a fair exchange. It's not a chore to hang out with Amelia."

I snort. "Trust me. You've only seen her good side. My daughter can be a real handful when she wants to be. Regardless, do we have a deal?"

She purses her lips doubtfully and then thinks about it. Nearly a full minute passes before she nods. "Deal."

Chapter Eleven

Emma

A distant bird call has me opening my eyes.

I blink a few times to clear my vision and center myself before rolling over to check my phone.

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