Page 144 of Trusting You

“Mm-kay. I’ll help in a sec.”

“No need,” I say, and disappear into the nursery to tend to Lily.

When I come out, Sophie is weirdly alert and scrolling through her laptop. “I’m flying out today,” she says, then makes grabby motions for the baby. “Lemme hold her.”

Lily, content with a bottle, settles into Paige’s arms.

“Don’t you want to stay for her birthday in a few days?”

“Right! This little chicken’s turning one! Can’t believe it.” She bops Lily’s nose with a finger. “You’re practically an angsty teenager.”

“Stay,” I say, and mean it. I’m suddenly afraid of being in this apartment with Locke for the next few days. I’d much rather have Sophie as a buffer between us.

“I’d love to, but I can’t. I have to be back at work.” Sophie studies me for a moment. “Boss is asking about you.”

“Bert gave me my four weeks. What’s he threatening? Someone else to do the data-entry?”

“Karen. He’s got Karen at your desk.”

I make a face. “I dislike that woman.”

“She dislikes you. And she’s hangry for your position.”

I wave it off, and Sophie raises a brow. “I agree, sister. You’re better off painting.”

“I’ve sold only one.”

“So far.” Sophie bounces Lily on her knee, now that she’s tossed her empty bottle like a football across the room. She really is Locke’s. “And it’s made you happy.”

“It doesn’t pay the rent.”

Sophie’s about to respond, probably within the realm of if you’re even coming home to pay the rent, and I’m one second ahead with a denial when the buzzer sounds.

“Hang on,” I say to her.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Hello?” I ask once I push the talk button by the apartment door.

“This Lachlan Hayes’s place?”

“It is. Who’s this?”

“This is Coach Becks, from the high school down the road. He left something behind I’d like to return.”

I frown, turn to Sophie. She shrugs, and I assume would become fairly squirrely if it turns out this is a robber. “Come on in.”

Heavy footfalls sound almost immediately, and I open the door to meet a sturdy, bald man with tiny spectacles balanced on his nose and a tight grey polo shirt around his belly.

“Hi, miss.”

“Carter.” I offer my hand but see he can’t give his because he’s holding a stuffed toy.

“Lily’s bunny rabbit!” I exclaim. It’s rude of me, but I grab for it. “I’ve been looking for this everywhere.”

“AHBAH!”

Lily’s shriek ricochets down the hallway, forcing Coach Becks back a step. “Oh, my.”