Page 60 of The Off-Limits Play

“We’re just gonna do some window-shopping, then get some ice cream.” Mom grins, and my smile struggles to stay in place.

There go my plans of waiting by Carson’s bike.

There go my dreams of finding a private spot to make out with him. Just the idea makes my body flare and heat with anticipation.

But it looks like I’m gonna be waiting a little bit longer. Maybe I’ll get my chance on Tuesday night, after Zoey goes to bed.

That thought makes it easier to smile, and I kiss my parents goodbye, heading down the street and already thinking about what I’m gonna wear for my Tuesday night babysitting gig.

* * *

I’m in the midst of rifling through my closet, trying to select the perfect outfit, when Jolie breezes through the door. She’s seemed a little happier lately.

We never sat down and dissected her night with Mr. Mystery the way I thought we might, but she didn’t come back until the morning, and her smile was… well, it said everything.

I really wanted to ask for deets at the time, but she flopped onto the bed with a happy sigh and immediately fell asleep. So yeah, I’m guessing she spent her night having sex. Sneaking out of the room with a smile, I took off to my first class, happy that she’d made things work with her tutor.

And now she’s staring at my pile of clothes on the bed, then turns to look at me with an eyebrow wiggle. “Hot date?”

“Babysitting gig,” I reply with a cryptic grin.

Her face puckers with confusion, and I end up laughing. “Said hottie just might be there, and I want to look irresistible if he happens to spot me.”

“Okay, what?” Her expression gets even more adorably confused, until eyes pop wide with what can only be described as hope. “Wait, is this a billionaire single dad falls in love with his young babysitter scenario?”

I hate to burst her bubble, but… “No.” I shake my head and start laughing again. “This isn’t a romance novel.”

“Bummer.” She fake pouts. “That’s one of my favorite tropes.”

I snicker and give her a little side-eye. “Didn’t know you were into age-gap romance.”

She blushes. “Just don’t tell my mom. She’d die if she knew I was getting into this spicy stuff. I wasn’t allowed to read anything she hadn’t read when I lived at home.”

“I see.” I spin to face her properly. “So, college is all about experimenting with steamy lit, huh? And maybe an older guy?” I probe.

Jolie’s cheeks stain bright red as she bites her lips together. But then she’s grinning and admits, “He’s a junior.”

“Oh really? So he’s just a baby, then.” I wink at her. “For a second, I thought you were gonna tell me that your tutor was like a forty-year-old professor or some silver fox with sexy reading glasses.”

“Reading glasses aresosexy, right?”

“The right pair on the right man? Mmmmm.” I make a sound of approval that reminds me of Gramma, then share a grin with Jolie.

Wow. This is so nice! We’re acting like friends. Like roommates!

Turning back to my closet, I’m about to ask for her opinion on what one wears to babysit a two-year-old while also trying to catch the attention of a roommate when there’s a knock at the door.

“Hey, JoJo, it’s me!” a woman calls through the door.

“Uh… hey, Caroline!” Jolie flashes me a nervous look before pasting on a smile and opening her door. “’Sup, cuz?”

“I thought we were meeting up after my lunch thing.”

“I know. I just got caught up with something, and I forgot to text you. Sorry.”

“What?” Caroline’s bubbly voice takes on a suspicious edge.

Jolie blinks and tips her head. “Um… what?”

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