Page 30 of Cross My Heart
If I didn’t know better, I would think I was developing feelings other than gratitude for her, but I haven’t known her long enough for that, so I quickly push that thought aside. Plus, I have turned into a bit of a creeper. I had my assistant order me another laptop so that I could have the live feed from the house going all the time while I worked on my other one. Her voice relaxes me in a way I’ve never felt before. Even when the girls are crying and it’s complete chaos, she is calm and loving—everything their mother was not.
“Dex? Did you hear me?” She asks, calling me out of my thoughts.
I’m watching her sitting at the kitchen island while talking to me. She has little jean shorts on and a tank top that hugs every curve. She doodles on a piece of paper while she talks; I wish I could see what she is writing.
“Uh, sorry, bad connection, what did you say?” I lie.
“I said you just missed the kids. They were exhausted. Tate was so tired, he put himself to bed early so we will have to try to catch you in the morning. Also, Jamie is going to be here soon, so I should go. Is it alright if we open one of these bottles of wine on the island?” Lanie asks, looking so comfortable in my home.
“Sure, whatever you want, Lanie.” I hate that at that moment I know it’s true, I’d give her just about anything I could.
“Okay, have a good night…er…day, I guess. I’ll have Tate facetime you in the morning,” she laughs, still not having mastered the time change between us.
“Goodnight, Lanie. Have fun with your friend,” I tell her, realizing I mean it. I want her to feel at home in my space.
“Goodnight, Dex,” she says quietly, that tone I’m starting to associate as just for me.
I stare at the phone long after she hangs up. Then I remember Preston had called me earlier today, so I move to the desk and give him a call.
“Hey, asshole, how’s London?” He answers my call.
“Nice greeting, dickhead. What if it had been Molly on the line?” I ask, not waiting for his answer. “London is fine,” I tell him. “Deals are almost done. I can’t wait to get home. You guys have been checking on Lanie?"
“Of course, I have been checking her out. She’s hot, man!” Preston says to piss me off.
A growl escapes my throat. When I speak, my voice has turned to gravel, “I told you, she is off-limits.”
“Yeah, you tell her friend, Jamie, that?” He is laughing so hard now, I almost missed what he said.
“What do you mean, Jamie, her nanny friend?” I ask, and Preston laughs even harder.
“You mean hermannyfriend? He’s a dude, you know! And a good looking one. They seemed to be getting along really well when I stopped by earlier. He is a very touchy-feely kind of guy.”
I’m out of my chair so fast it flips over behind me. Fuck. The one day I couldn’t watch the live feed.
“What do you mean, he’s a dude?” I yell.
“I mean, he has a dick, and if I were a lady, I’d probably think he was hot,” Pres enlightens me.
“What the fuck! She never said anything about Jamie being a guy. He is coming over tonight for wine. What the actual fuck?” I say as I begin to pace.
“You jealous, bro?” He asks me, and I have to stop for a second.Am I jealous? I run a hand through my hair and pace the room. I’m angry. I don’t want her going out with anyone but me.
She is mine. Mine.
I slump into the bed. “Fuck. I think I am.”
“Well, you better make a move. I’m not saying this to be a dink, Dex, but she is hot. I know one of the single dads at Tate’s school already asked for her number,” he tattles.
My stomach clenches. “What? How do you know that?”
“She told me. Jamie thought it was hilarious. He is a pretty good dude; I think you’ll like him.”
“The fuck I will,” I grumble. “Well, did she give it to him? The phone number, I mean?”
“Not sure, but listen, she is doing great. The kids are as happy as I’ve seen them in a long time. Tate even gave me a fist bump when I was leaving. He didn’t talk, but he made eye contact with me the entire time I was talking with him. That’s a huge improvement, man. Don’t screw this up with Lanie.” He is quiet for a few beats. “I think you all need her.”
I hate when Pres is right, but I can’t argue. “Okay, thanks for checking in on them, I’ve got work to do.”
