Page 43 of Skate the Line

“Can you gather your things?”

Sunny turns. “Oh, her things are?—”

She pauses when she realizes Ellie is still in the kitchen.

Her soft gaze turns skeptical. “Are you talking to me?”

She points at herself, and I nod.

“You’re not staying here.”

There it is. A subtle eye roll. “You’re just as bad as Marco. I’mfine, Mr. Volkova. I promise.”

Rubbing my palm against my jaw, I chuckle. “I’m sorry. Let me rephrase...”

Her forehead furrows.

“Get your things, Ms. Edwards, because you are not staying here.”

Am I being bossy? Sure.

But Iamher boss.

She smiles, but I’m almost certain it's sarcastic. She leans against the couch and crosses her arms. “And where would you like me to go?”

“My place.” Where else?

Her smile falls.

The air in the room shifts.

“No.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Because…” She drags the word out while she probably tries to come up with a good excuse.

“You’d feel safer here versus my home? I can assure you that it’s safe. Otherwise, my daughter wouldn’t be living there.”

Her eyes dart towards the kitchen.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen her…ruffled.

“It’s not that,” she mutters.

“Then what is it?”

Her shoulders drop in defeat, and she swings her gaze back to me. “I don’t understand.” Her face screws with confusion. “You scold me for wearing your jersey, and you’re so against a nanny coming onto you.” She glances toward Ellie in the kitchen and lowers her voice. “Yet, now you want me tolivein your house? What? You finally trust me now?”

If I’m not mistaken, she’s changing the subject and turning this around on me.

I let her, though, because clearly, whatever has her all tripped up is something she’s keeping close to the chest.

It’s not my business, so I don’t press.

“If I say yes, will you agree?”

The room is wound tight. Pressure falls to my shoulders while I wait for her answer.

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