Page 19 of Forbidden Hearts
“She’s good. Where are you now?” I smile at Phoebe, who ends her call, slips her phone into her pocket, and gives a hesitant wave.
I bet I look hot now.
I’m not a vain guy, but it’s not all that bad hearing you’re still hot when you’re inching toward forty.
Sara sighs heavily. “We’re here. I miss her. I want to come home already. I don’t like that the agency hasn’t sent you anyone.”
“We have it covered. Everything is good, and Olivia really is fine.”
“If you say so . . .”
“I wouldn’t lie about this, Sara. You have a huge opportunity, and I have it covered here. Phoebe is great with Liv.”
And if she lets me down, then I will beg my sister to help out, but I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that. She has today to prove me wrong.
“Okay. I will try my best to relax. I would just feel better if I had met her.”
No, she definitely wouldn’t, and since she hasn’t pieced together exactly who Phoebe is, I’m not telling her. “You weren’t going to meet the nanny the agency sent.”
“But they’re vetted.”
“So is she. I have to head to work. Call Phoebe later to talk to Olivia, and be safe there.”
“I am.”
We hang up, and Phoebe gives me a soft smile. “It must be hard for her.”
I nod. “It is. I think the longest either of us have ever gone without seeing Liv was two weeks, and that was when I went to a training program. The longest I’ve had her in one stretch was a week because Sara was on location. Usually, she turns down big projects, but this was one she couldn’t.”
“I can imagine it’s not easy. Listen, I really appreciate your giving me another shot. Today will be different, there will be no mess ups. I promise.” She turns and grabs two brown paper bags. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“I made lunches. One for you and one for my dad. If you could give it to him . . .”
“That won’t be awkward,” I say with a chuckle.
“He’ll know it’s from me. None of you guys eat well when you’re on shift. Whenever I’m home, I try to do what I can to mitigate the damage from his crap diet. There are some snacks and heart healthy sandwiches.”
I don’t have sandwich supplies in the house. I meant to grab them, but it’s been a bit hectic since I’m the SWAT commander. It’s more than just being on standby. There’s paperwork, planning, and scheduling for the team that I have to do on top of my officer duties.
“When did you . . .?”
“I went this morning and grabbed some stuff for the house. I love twenty-four-hour grocery stores.”
“What the hell time did you wake up?”
She shrugs. “I’m still on grad-school-kid time, which means I run on caffeine and severe sleep deprivation. I passed out last night earlier than I have in months, so when I woke up, I figured I might as well be productive.”
I nod. “And why aren’t you still at college?”
Phoebe’s eyes widen just a touch, but I was watching for it. “Why stay when you can do your finals online?”
“So, all your friends left school early as well?”
“No, but . . . why do you care?”
“I don’t,” I reply.
