Page 73 of Ewan

I push my eyebrows up, waiting, while she leans back a little and searches my eyes.

“Why are you so obstinate about this?”

I shrug a shoulder.

“I don’t know. I want to help you?”

She purses her lips.

“I wouldn’t want little Colley to get sad if something happened to his favorite teacher.”

“I did quite well before you showed up. I’m sure I can manage.”

“I’m sure you can. Any side hustles I need to know about?”

If she thinks she can get away with her little spunky words, she has no idea who she’s dealing with.

I’m making an effort here to be chivalrous.

If she has three more events like the one she had tonight, I might lose her to some sucker with a flashy watch.

“What if I don’t tell you about my other side hustles?”

“Would you like me to be your stalker?”

She ponders my words before laughing, amused.

I’m dead serious, though.

If she doesn’t like me when I take her home, does she think she’ll like me when I stalk her?

“All right,” she says with a mischievous look on her face.

“I will pet sit tomorrow in Manhattan. I need to be there at nine in the morning.”

“Would eight o’clock work for you to pick you up?”

Her expression freezes as she doesn’t believe her ears.

“Okay. I’m picking you up at eight o’clock. Will that work for you, Miss Scarlett?” I ask again.

Finally, I get her attention.

She still doesn’t believe this is real.

I can see it on her face and the glimmer of her eyes.

I don’t think she’s used to being picked up and driven anywhere.

She’s Miss Independent, all right.

And right now, she’s my little Miss Independent.

“Yes. That will work. I’ll bring coffee,” she says, like we’re going to a picnic.

She flashes a smile, looking like a girl who’s gotten her wish granted.

“Deal,” I say.

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