Page 14 of Forbidden Hearts
“No, it couldn’t be since I’m notonFront Street.” I’m on Main Street about to turn onto the cut through.
He sighs. “Look in your rearview.”
I do it, knowing exactly what I’m going to see. And sure enough, there’s a police car behind me.
“Okay, I know what you’re thinking. And, yes, maybe we had a slight issue, but I didn’t hear which entrance to pick her up at. It’s fine. I was at the school, just in the wrong place. She’s safe and eating her snack. I called the therapist to explain we were running a bit late, but they are running behind as well, so all is well.”
“Pull over,” he says and then disconnects.
As much as I really didn’t want this job, I do now. Not because I’m suddenly a great babysitter or anything, but because Olivia needs someone who can communicate with her. We live in a small town, and she struggles enough without having people sign to her. Okay, maybe it has a little to do with the fact that her doctors are some of the best in the country, and I could maybe learn a little from them.
Plus, what am I going to do all summer? Brood in my room? I need money, and while I’m not getting paid a lot, it’s better than nothing.
Most of all, I want to prove to myself that I’m not a complete failure.
After I pull to the side of the road and park, I turn to Olivia.“Your dad is here, so I’m just going to talk to him outside of the car.”
She gives me a thumbs-up and turns to see her dad approaching.
Here goes getting fired on my first day.
I exit the car, and Asher doesn’t even give me two seconds before he starts. “Trust doesn’t start with you lying to me. Especially about her safety! Damn it, Phoebe, both you and your father told me you could handle this.”
“And I can. I know, I was wrong to lie,” I admit. “I should’ve explained everything right away, but you already think I’m flakey, which I wassix years ago, but I’m not now. I got things mixed up, and I’m sorry. More than that, I’m sorry I betrayed your trust. You have every right to fire me, Asher, and I wouldn’t blame you, but I really like Olivia and can do a lot with her. I went to school for this, and if you give me another chance, I promise I’ll do better and there won’t be any more issues. If there are, I’ll fire myself.”
Laying it all out on the table is probably the best option anyway. I was wrong, I admit it. This is his kid, and he loves her. I’m sure this isn’t easy for him.
Ugh, now I’m empathizing with the man.
He seems a little stunned. “Well . . . that was . . . very mature.”
“I’m not the girl you remember.”
He runs his hand through his thick hair, sighing at the same time. “This doesn’t exactly prove that, Phoebe.”
“I should’ve told you the truth, and for that, I am eternally sorry. Let me take her to her appointment, and I promise I’ll follow all the rules in the binder to a T.”
His eyes find Olivia’s in the car. She waves, and he does the same. Then his radio goes off, informing him of a situation. There are very few options available, so I’m really hoping I get that second chance. “Fine. If you fuck up again, you’re done.”
“You should really give inspirational speeches. I mean, you missed your calling.”
“Don’t push your luck. I’m giving you another chance.”
“Thank you. Now, I have to be at an appointment, Officer Whitlock, and since you’re so kind as to let me off with a warning, I must go.”
Before he changes his mind, I rush to my car.
* * *
It’s almost eight, and I’ve done the dishes, gotten Olivia’s bag together for tomorrow, and talked to Sara. That was super fun. Thankfully, I don’t think she put together that I was the same babysitter who let her daughter attempt to scalp herself.
“Phoebe?” Asher calls from the front door.
“In the kitchen!”
I hear his keys hitting a bowl or something and then heavy footsteps making their way toward me. They stop, and I turn to see him.
“Hey,” I say with a smile.
