Page 30 of Best Kept Secret

"Maybe Beau should give her a bath tonight," Fallon, who was stuck like a leech on Beau, said sharply. "He needs to spend more time with his daughter."

"Sure." I kissed Pari's nose, and she giggled.Knock yourself the fuck out.

"I'll help you, Beau," Fallon offered sweetly.

Beau clenched his jaw. "Actually, Fallon, I already do bath and bedtime with Pari," he informed his child freaking psychologist. "Mira and I do it together."

Fallon's face fell, and then she picked herself up. "Perhaps you should do it alone. After all, once Mira leaves, you'll have to do these things on your own."

I held back a cry of anguish.Once Mira leaves?Was I leaving?

Roxy made a sound. "We'll worry about itifthat happens. Mira, come on, darlin', let's get inside. Beau, you should join Mira after you walkyourguest out."

Roxy grabbed my hand and dragged me away from Beau and that horrible woman.

"I've just about had it with that bitch," Roxy announced, and then groaned when Pari pursed her lips and said, "Witch."

"At least she didn't say bitch," I chuckled.

"Bitch," Pari clearly rejoined.

Roxy and I burst out laughing.

We were still laughing, playing with Pari as she splashed around and got us just as soaked as she was, when Beau walked into the spacious bathroom.

"What the hell was that, Roxy?" he demanded.

"Hell," Pari clipped.

Beau muttered, "Fuck."

"Buck," Pari parroted.

"Damn it."

"Am it." Pari laughed.

Roxy, who was leaning against a wall, straightened while I put the rubber duck that Pari had thrown out of the bathtub back in. I had bought a rubber tube for bathtime, so Pari floated, which she loved as it allowed her to swim around the rather large tub in Beau's house. In Asha's place, it had been a security measure because the tub was too small for those kinds of water games.

"I'm going to bed," Roxy announced, glaring at Beau. "We can talk tomorrow when I'll be able to be civil to you. Tonight, I'm inclined to call you names that'll get me fired."

"Like that stops you." Beau frowned.

Roxy shook her head. "None of what happened today was okay, Beauregard Bodine, and you know it, which is why you look guilty as hell. Now, take care of your daughter, and we'll discuss your heavy-handedness and that terrible woman you brought into your home tomorrow."

Beau sat down on the top step that led into the bathtub and looked at me. "You angry with me, too?"

I shook my head, once again feeling tired. "I don't have the right to be angry with you, Beau."

"Bullshit, Mira."

"Shit." Pari splashed.

"Sorry," Beau mumbled. "I just…I really thought Fallon would help."

"With what?" I asked as I corralled Pari, and washed her face with the gentle lavender baby body wash I'd bought from Amazon. The scent was soothing, and helped Pari sleep.

"Mira, I didn't mean for Fallon to upset you."

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