Page 15 of Lucky Strike

Dappled sunlight glimmersthrough the trees as I bring my bike to a stop. After a quick drink of water, I resume my ride around the Charles River Bike Path, enjoying the late afternoon breeze. It’s been a minute since I hopped on my bike, so I’m a little out of shape, but it feels good. I’ve always liked bike riding. It’s something I make a point to do with the kids I take care of, provided they’re old enough, weaving it into our daily routines.

By the time I make it back to my apartment building, the sky is heavy and dark with impending rain. Ominous, gray clouds gatheroverhead, and I’m sure I just heard the distant boom of thunder. Hopping off my bike, I head for the main door. Hauling this thing upstairs is a pain, as we don’t have elevators, but I’m only one floor up.

“Bria.”

I spin around, nearly losing my grip on the bike. Lucky—or maybe it’s Conlan these days—is getting out of a sleek, black car parked illegally at the curb. He’s wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled again, this time with slim-fitting, black slacks and leather dress shoes that for sure cost more than my apartment. “Hi. I don’t know what to call you these days. Mr. Kelly?”

“Not Mr. Kelly.” A faintest hint of a smile crosses his lips. “Call me whatever you want.”

My heart dips. Lucky feels too familiar, but only parents and teachers ever called him Conlan. “What’re you doing here?”

He comes over, running a hand through his hair. It’s more close-cropped than it used to be, but there’s still a hint of the loose curls I once loved. He has more tattoos now, too—his arms are covered in sleeves of intricately designed Celtic knots. “I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute.”

“What about?”

“The other day.”

“What is there to talk about?” I move away from the door to let someone into the building.

He pauses, eyes as gray as the sky overhead. “I was caught off-guard. I knew we were interviewing a potential nanny, but I had no idea that it would be you.”

“I didn’t know it was you, either.” I fiddle with my house key, glancing at the sky when another peal of thunder roars out, closer this time. “Looks like Maeve was a little stingy with her info.”

“Still, I apologize for how I reacted.”

“I accept your apology.”

His lips curve the slightest bit as he cocks his head. “Do you?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

He studies me for a moment. I stare defiantly back, painfully aware of my sweaty brow and frizzy ponytail.Thanks, humidity. “You’re different.”

“So are you.” Scoffing, I yank my bike toward the door. “I have to go, butthanks for stopping by. You could’ve just called.”

“I did, several times. It always went to voicemail.”

I glance over my shoulder. “I don’t answer unknown numbers.”

“Smart.”

“I can be, sometimes.”

“Bria, wait.” He lifts his chin. “Have you found a job yet?”

“No.” I turn reluctantly, shaking my head as rain starts misting down. “But I will.”

“If I asked you to come meet my son,” he begins, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Tomorrow morning around ten, would you?”

I twist my ring with a frown, not missing the way his eyes flicker to the movement. “Why would I do that? You made it pretty plain I wasn’t right for the job.”

“Like I said, I was caught off-guard,” he says. “I might’ve been a little hasty.”

“What changed?”

“You have quite the fan in Nola.”

“Oh. I liked her, too,” I admit slowly. Does this mean I might have a job? Would I even want it? If Lucky’s this volatile now, who knows how he’ll be in a month. A year.

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