Page 49 of Playing with Fire

Lily.

Lily: Hey, hun. Could you watch over Rory tonight? I have plans with some parents tonight and won't be back until late. Jaxon mentioned he has prior commitments, so my presence is needed only until he gets back. I will handle his payment when he returns, but please don't worry if you cannot attend.

I read the text with great interest.

Me: I'd love to babysit Ro! I don't need payment because I'm okay with helping. What time do you want me there?

Her response came shortly after.

Lily: 7 is good. She needs to be asleep by 9:30. Thank you so much, Em!

Me: Don't worry about it. I'll be there.

I cleared my message screen and placed my phone aside. Somehow, I found myself thinking again: What could Jaxon have to do?

I shook my head and decided to leave the matter behind. I shouldn't care, and I don't.

When my nose stopped running, I wiped away any blood that had formed. I rejoined the group and spent the rest of the day having fun.

And I have plans for tonight.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Iwas there by 7 p.m. sharp. Rory was already in her nightwear after her parents had departed a few minutes before.

At the table we remained seated when Ro demanded we colour the pages of her colouring book. The colouring book featured Disney characters and she selected the Rapunzel page.

Ro demonstrated impressive steadiness as she filled in her dress while I worked on her hair coloring. After finishing the coloring activity, we created a decent-looking product which led to Ro developing a small appetite.

"Dino buggies!" "Let's have dinosaur buggies!" she exclaimed before dashing toward the fridge. Lily instructed me not to give more food but dinosaur nuggets remain irresistible to

Ro. Keep mum about this between us, alright Ro? I open the bag and place several nuggets onto the tray.

"I promise. Thank you, Emmy!" she smiled.

We resumed our coloring activity when we put the food in the oven.

Another page later, the nuggets were ready. I served her some while placing just a couple on my plate.

After we finished eating and washed our hands, I asked her to go upstairs to brush her teeth.

While she went upstairs to brush her teeth, I cleaned up the plates. I looked at my phone and confirmed it was 8:15. I loaded the dishwasher with the dishes as Ro came down the stairs in a hurry.

"Can we watch a movie!" she offered.

"Which one?" I posed my question despite knowing her selection in advance.

"Tangled!" she gave me another grin.

"You always pick that movie." I shake my head with a laugh.

"I like it, I like it!" she says. "Plus, Flynn is cute." I laugh while leading her into the living room. I turned on the television when I heard the front door opening. I looked around the wall to identify the person arriving.

"Jaxon?" I ask, quite confused now. "What're you doing here?" Jaxon turns his head towards me as if he thought I wouldn't be here. "I live here, Em."

"I know that" I rolled my eyes. Your mom told me you won’t be back until late.

He removes his shoes before entering the room.

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