Page 68 of Can't Get Over You
“I’ve done the math, and for six weeks of work, it comes out to the same amount.”
“Well, imagine that.” She didn’t believe him for one second. “How convenient.”
“Let’s remember this is happening over the holidays,” he said. “So it’s more than reasonable. And my dad’s buddies with the bank president, so if you can afford the mortgage on your own, we can refinance the house and put it in your name.”
“Seriously?”So, wait.Did she really get to keep her house? Excitement bubbled up. “How much will you really need me, though? He’ll be with you and your family a lot, and you work at night, so maybe you just need a babysitter?”
“Are you talking yourself out of the job?”
She laughed. “I guess I am.”
“Look, it’s the holidays. I want to spend time with my family. Go skiing. Shit like that. And my work hours are off from the rest of the world, so yeah, Cody needs someone who’ll be there just for him.”
She didn’t like the sound of this. “What do you mean?”
“As a bartender, I’m not home till four in the morning. Which means I sleep late, run some errands, and then, it’s back to the bar.”
“I’m not following. You’re busy all day, and you work all night. When are you going to see Cody? What about this family Christmas you promised the judge?”
“I’ll be around. Just like any parent who works full-time, goes to the grocery store, has appointments... You know.”
Yes, she did. She knew all too well how severely lonely that life was. “When exactly will you be around Cody?”
He shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. “When I can.”
“Deal’s off.” She couldn’t believe his attitude. She’d stood up for this man in a court of law. “I’m willing to help you, but that doesn’t mean you get to run off. You’re his guardian, and it sounds like you’re hiring me so you don’t have to do anything.”
He hardened. “I’m a bartender. Those are my hours.”
“Not for the next six weeks, they’re not. Not if you want me to be his nanny. This child’s mother abandoned him. His father died. His grandfather left him in the care of a total stranger. It’s not your fault, but Carlo did nothing to help Cody transition. He didn’t give him a few days to get to know you. He literally handed over his grandson to a man he’d never met.”
Awareness sharpened his gaze. “You make a good point.”
“This child comes to school with dirty clothes and no lunch, and his attendance is irregular. He deserves a guardian who cares about him, and if you want me to help you out, I’ll only do it if you take a real role in this.”
“I hear what you’re saying.” He reached for a beard that wasn’t there and wound up rubbing his clean-shaven jaw. “The thing is, he’s going to get attached, and then, in six weeks, we’ll probably be gone, too.”
So it wasn’t because he wanted to party or hook up. It was fear. “I don’t have any control over the outcome of Cody’s situation, but I can be damn sure that, while he’s in my care, he gets all the love and stability he deserves.”
“Yeah, okay. I hear you.”
“Are you sure? You’ll be there for Cody? Not just hand him off to me?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I guess so.”
“I don’t believe you.” She headed for the door, ready to show him out. “We don’t have a deal.”
“Fee. All you have to do is babysit, and you get to keep your dream house.”
“If you think a house has a higher value to me than a little boy, then you don’t know me at all. I don’t care how much money you’re going to throw at me, I won’t let anyone else treat that boy carelessly.”
He caught her upper arm and pulled her to him. “This is dangerous. You get that, right? Playing happy family on Bloom Lane? It’s going to end badly.”
She held her ground. “I won’t do it any other way.”
“Fine.” He let her go. “I know you’re right. I’ll be there for Cody, and I’ll give him the best Christmas he’s ever had.”
“I doubt that’ll be hard, but okay. We have a deal.” She held out her hand, and they shook.
