Page 8 of Flirt

“Are you okay? Your cheeks turned red. Why were you staring at the ceiling anyway? And are you going to answer my question?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Don’t you get tired of asking so many questions, Sawyer?”

“Nope. How am I ‘posed to learn anything if I don’t ask? Nonno says the more you know, the fewer people can screw over you.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, took a deep breath, and then blew it out before I replied to my daughter. My dad, Nero Agassi, hanged the moon as far as his granddaughter was concerned. You would think his words were gospel. “Sawyer, I told you we don’t repeat the things that your nonno says.”

“I know ‘cause Nonno uses bad words when he talks, and repeating the words isn’t nice or ladylike and will get me in trouble. Maybe I can start making him and Zio Enzo pay me when they say bad words in front of me like Ally does her zios and nonnos?”

I couldn’t help but smile at the fact Sawyer, who had questions for everything imaginable, found nothing out of the ordinary with her newestbestestfriend’s multitude of aunts, uncles, and grandpas. Then again, Sawyer had lived around her own group ofauntsandunclesbetween both the Agassi and Tanucci sides of our family. It was probably why she and I felt comfortable around the men and women of the Black Hawk MC. From what I had witnessed, the MC dynamics weren’t much different from what we were used to with our Italian family. Once accepted into the fold, there was nothing either of them wouldn’t do for you. However, break the trust and loyalty given—and the cost would most likely result in more than anyone wanted or was willing to pay.

“They pay Ally, huh?” When I thought of little Ally collecting money from the big bikers, I wanted to laugh.

“Yep. Her mom makes her put most of the money in the bank. She’s ‘posed to use it for college.”

“I’ll tell you what. When we are around the family at Thanksgiving, if you can get your nonno and zio or the others to fork cash over to you, it is all yours, baby girl.”

“Yes! And at Christmas, too. Plus, I didn’t think of the zias and zios,” she said and pumped her fist.

I chuckled. “Hey, if you are successful getting anyone in the family to pay up, Zio Marco may offer you a job.” No sooner than it was out of my mouth, I realized I had spoken without thought.

“Wow, do you think he would let me be in charge of all the dollars in his casinos?”

There was no way to explain the Tanucci side of our family. Sawyer had years before she learned their activities in Las Vegas extended to more than owning and running a couple of casinos. She’d also learn, it was easy and in your best interest to sometimes just turn your head. After all, whether right or wrong, they were family.

“Maybe.” It was time for me to change the subject. “While I go change, why don’t you go to your room and put on your pajamas. That way, when I get home tonight and pick you up from Eleanor’s, you’ll be ready for bed.”

“Okay.” Sawyer turned and ran across the family room and placed the DVD in her backpack. As I started down the hallway that led to the bedrooms, Sawyer was quick to catch up to me. “Is your date with Dr. Booger?”

“No, and his name isn’t Booger, Sawyer. It’s Booker. Dr. Booker.”

Sawyer stopped at her bedroom door. “That’s not what you called him on the phone with Zia Tori.”

My lips twitched as I fought to keep from laughing. I would have to watch what I said when talking with my sister when Sawyer was present. “I think you need to go change before my ears start to bleed.”

“You always say that when you don’t want to answer me,” Sawyer said. Her face showing she was unhappy about not getting answers to her questions.

“Well, there you go. Now go change. I won’t be too long.”

Sawyer walked into her room, and I turned toward mine. At least dealing with my daughter had temporarily taken my mind off the evening ahead and calmed the butterflies in my stomach.

Once I was showered and dressed, Sawyer, with backpack in hand, and I walked next door to Eleanor’s house.

I had lucked out in the neighbor department when Sawyer and I moved into the rancher I rented upon moving to the area. Mrs. Grissom had turned out to be a lifesaver for a mother and daughter relocating to a new town. I had worried about finding someone trustworthy to watch Sawyer while I worked to build my pediatric practice.

When Eleanor had volunteered to care for Sawyer, it had felt as if a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Not only didn’t I have to worry about my daughter while I worked, but Eleanor had also volunteered to continue watching her after Sawyer when she started school. I jumped all over it. Eleanor had informed me that being widowed and living alone, Sawyer’s company was a welcomed change to her otherwise quiet and boring days. She and Mr. Grissom hadn’t had any children, and though she had two younger sisters, they lived on the east coast. I wondered why she hadn’t moved to be near them after her husband had passed, but I hadn’t wanted to pry just to fill my curiosity. If she wanted me to know, she would have mentioned it.

With Sawyer settled at Mrs. Grissom’s house, I headed back to my house to grab my keys and purse, double-checking the doors were secured before I went out into the garage to my car. The butterflies reappeared in my stomach as I left the town limits and made my way toward Whispering Nights...and ultimately... Max.

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