Page 14 of Until Posey

Hunter had barely pulled out of the driveway before my phone dinged. He’d texted me an abbreviated version of Destiny’s schedule. If I had to adjust anything, he said not to worry about it. His family was dealing with enough stress. A fussy baby wasn’t something else I was planning on leaving at his feet when he came back home.

I needed to figure out a workaround with my boss, however.

Babysitting wasn’t in my job description. But neither was letting a new parent struggle to find someone to watch a daughter Hunter didn’t know he had when his entire family was in crisis mode and the only person he had for babysitting, possibly, had been called into work.

Thankfully, I had little scheduled for the afternoon. Just file work at the office. Before I could talk myself out of it, I shot a text off to Jenna, letting her know I wasn’t feeling great after I visited with Hunter, and I was just going straight home to rest.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Destiny still had another hour to go in her nap, and I just needed to find something to occupy my time so I could forget about not going back to work or the guilt already clinging to me.

I always kept a book in my car, just in case I got held up some place and had to wait. So, I ran out to my car, snagged my water bottle, a couple of my snacks—I didn’t want to rifle through any of his stuff, if possible—and my book.

Off to the side in the living room had been a chair I’d noticed on my first visit. The overstuffed chair was near the window overlooking the garage and driveway, so I could see the outside and enjoy the afternoon. It was the perfect place to kick off my shoes, sit back, and get lost in my book while I waited for Destiny to wake up.

I kept the television on, with the volume low, so I could continue to follow the story of what was going on at the hospital, and brought the baby monitor to rest on the ledge of the window beside me.

No sooner had I gotten comfy and was pulled into the story of my book when the insistent ringing of my cell had me rushing to get it, so it didn’t disturb Destiny.

I hoped it’d been an update from Hunter. Absently, I wondered if his phone voice was as sexy and sultry as when we were face to face.

Okay, none of that.

A smidge of disappointment ran through me when I saw it was Lucy. Then immediately felt guilty for being upset it hadn’t been Hunter. Anytime I could talk to Lucy was a good day.

“Hey!” I said cheerfully after swiping at the green button. Then remember to keep my voice down to not wake the baby. “What’s up?”

There is a pause before Lucy questions. “You okay?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m totally fine.” I told her about the situation I’ve suddenly found myself in.

Lucy laughed. “I swear this shit only happens to you, Posey. Food poisoning is a great go to in an event like this. Just don’t overplay the card.”

I laughed. She’s not wrong. I’m a magnet for weird shit. “Thanks for the advice.”

“No problem. So, what happened?”

“I had to do it, Luce. All his family is at the hospital. He has no one to watch the baby right now.”

Lucy snorted. “He’s a grown-assman, Pose. I’m sure he has a list of girls. Excuse me—women—just waiting in the wings to swoop in and help him with the baby.”

“He panicked. I was here, it makes sense,” I threw out, knowing full well Hunter had a babysitter for Destiny. Only the situation was messed up, and he probably couldn’t string two thoughts together.

“And how’d your boss take the whole food poisoning explanation?”

I nibbled on my cuticle. “I texted her and let her know I wasn’t feeling well and was going to go home after my home visit. I figured texting was better than calling.”

“Wow,” Lucy remarked, and I could hear the shock in her voice.

“What?”

“My baby is all grown up.” Lucy fake sniffed. “Telling her first lie.” She sniffed again. “I’m so proud.”

I bristled a little. I wasn’t a fan of lying. I’d grown up being lied to by adults I was supposed to trust. It was deeply engrained in my psyche that lying helped no one and just made the situation worse. I strived to never do it. “Fibbed, Luce. I fibbed a little because I’m doing what I think is best for Destiny.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to justify your actions, Posey.”

Leave it to your best friend to call you on your shit, even if they were messing with you. I recognized I was making excuses for my actions. Knew it the moment I sent the text out. I also knew the next time I saw my boss, I’d come clean on my transgressions. “I’ll ask for forgiveness tomorrow. Right now, Destiny is important.”

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