Page 108 of Forbidden Hearts
I step to her this time. “I’ve never hugged your dad, but I mean, I’m sure it happens right before sexual harassment suits are filed.”
Her voice drops low and sultry. “I promise not to tell anyone, Mr. Whitlock.”
Fuck my life. I want to push her down and ravage her. “A hug,” I remind her.
“For now.”
I embrace her, hugging her like I would anyone I didn’t want to screw six ways till Sunday. She makes another squeal of joy and then pulls back. “I can’t believe this. After everything bad that has happened, things are finally going right.” Phoebe starts to pace around the room. “I have so much to think about and consider. God, it’s overwhelming.”
“Take it one step at a time. Are you going to visit that school?”
She turns to me and exhales. “Yes, that has to be the first step. I’ve at least been there before and already know I love it. The program there is also amazing. On paper, Vanderbilt is the more ideal school. It’s rated so high, and . . . I’d be kind of stupid not to go there.”
“Because of the program?”
She takes a step back toward me. “Yes, but there are other factors. Nashville isn’t...far. I could come home more frequently.”
I could tell her that I want her to pick that school, to come home all the time, and when she can’t, I would go to her. The words are there, but then Olivia comes down the stairs and rushes to Phoebe.
“Can you stay tonight, and we can have pizza and ice cream?”
Phoebe has already promised to stay, even on my days off. Her warm brown eyes look to me, and she nods.“Of course.”
We spend the next few hours eating and playing board games. Phoebe is on her laptop, searching for housing options while Olivia sleeps on the couch next to her, and I’m reading a report.
The two of them have become so close, I worry about how Olivia will handle it when Phoebe does leave. More than that, I worry about how I’ll handle it. Right now, all I want is to walk over to her, close the computer, and tuck her against my side. Every time this girl is near, I’m unable to resist her pull.
“Ugh, there’s nothing,” she says, closing the laptop.
“You’ll find the right place.”
Her eyes meet mine. “Maybe I shouldn’t go back.”
“What?”
“I just mean that I’m doing all of this very last minute. Most students are already in internships and planning their thesis, and I’m going to transfer only a year in? I’m already at a disadvantage and . . .”
“You have to finish school,” I say, sounding more like a father than a friend with benefits.
“I thought I did too, but . . . I can take a mid-grad school gap year.”
“And do what?”
“Apparently, I can nanny. Sara already mentioned that, if I didn’t get into another program, I could stay on and help with Liv.”
Anger flows through my veins at that comment. “When?”
“What?”
“When did she say that?” I clarify.
“Before my trip, I guess. I don’t know. I was telling her how I was going to check out Texas, and she mentioned if it wasn’t the right fit, she would like to discuss my staying on with Olivia since we get along so well.”
“No.”
That word echoes through the room. “What? Why?”
I shift forward, keeping my voice even. “Because if you’re staying in this town and not going to college, you’re not nannying. I can’t handle it. Do you understand?”
