Page 19 of Passed Ball

Sadly, I'm all too aware that I'm out of options and time.

"Anything else?" I try to mask my annoyance.

"Not right now, but I reserve the right to change my mind."

My tongue rolls against my cheek. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I need to talk to her, make sure she still wants to do this. You two can meet and work out the details after that."

Do I want a woman that doesn't like me calling shots on my business? No, but Tenley is my best option. "She's lucky to have you."

It's true, even if it's just my way of smoothing things over.

"Listen, I know it sounds crazy, but in my family, if you don't go to college, you work for the family business, and I want her to have options." Vivi stands, gathering Holland into the stroller with one last lingering look. She straps her in, then turns to me. "Now, get out of my office so I can do my job."

"I think you're forgetting something." I adjust the buckle on Holland's chest, even though it's fine.

"Doubtful," she volleys back, but the corner of her lip twitches up a little.

Grabbing a Post-It and pen, I scribble my number down, then place it in the center of her computer screen where she can't miss it. "My number, so Tenley can reach out to set up a time to talk.Ifshe's interested."

Vivi plants herself behind the desk, her fingers digging into the back of her leather chair. Her tongue rolls over her teeth, trying to keep quiet.

"I let you set your rules, and I respect where you are coming from, but I'm going to set some of my own. First, she has to want to do this. I can't go through another nanny that's going to walk away. And you both need to understand where my daughter is concerned, I am in charge. You can't be in the middle of this all the time. I'll do everything you asked because I'm a decent person, but I don't want you trying to dictate things. Tenley would be my employee. End of story."

"Fine," she says, pulling the sticky note from her screen and dropping into her chair, dismissing me from her office.

Chapter 8

Vivienne

I stand in the middle of my blissfully silent living room looking between the knockoff Peloton I bought with my first big girl check and the book sitting on the arm of the comfiest chair known to man.

It's a tug-of-war between what I should do and what I want to do.

The school year is almost over, and preparations for our programming to switch over from after school to day camp are well underway. Which means I've been extra busy with staffing and planning on top of everything else, like the six-foot-four catcher taking up space in my office a few days ago.

My teeth seesaw over my lip as I take a tentative step toward the bike. I could always read later, but when I give the embossed flowers on the cover one last parting glance, the switch flips and I thinkfuck it. What the hell was the point of moving out here, building this life for myself, if I don't do what I really want to?

The bike can wait. Iwantthe serotonin that comes from reading a romance novel.

Channeling the same energy the kids had earlier, I dive into the chair, crack open the pages, and try to ignore the fact that I keep picturing the male lead with red hair even though it's brown.

I'm lost in the story, doing my very best version of male narration--extra bravado coloring my voice with the building tension. I'm so focused on my amazing cowboy impression when I say, "Hands on the hay bail, darlin'," that I don't hear the door open.

I tilt my head back and laugh at how ridiculous I sound, but it's abruptly cut off by the scream I let loose when I find Tenley staring down at me from where she's standing behind the chair, barely containing her laughter.

"What the hell, Ten! Why are you creeping around?"

"Don't stop, it was just getting hot. And you know I love a cowboy romance." Tenley leaps into the oversized chair next to me, sticking her nose right in my book. "Oh shit. That's, like, really good. Should I leave you alone?" She thumbs over her shoulder.

I slam the book shut, my cheeks already flushed from the reading. "No. This can wait. Tell me about your day."

"I got the job!"

The joy vibrates off of her, and even though I might not have been thrilled with the idea of her nannying for Xavier, there's no chance I'd stand in the way. She's beaming, her big smile glowing brightly, so instead of warning her about all the ways this could go wrong, I wrap my arms around her.

"Congrats. I'm happy for you." Stifling her by placing my own expectations on her would trap her in the same way I felt trapped when I was younger. I still have concerns about how this is going to work during the school year, but for now, I'll stay quiet.

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