Page 104 of Payoff Pitch

“I know you’re not.”

“Bailey called me after you guys got home.”

“She did?”

“Yes. We had a long talk. She assured me of her commitment to Harper no matter where things head between you guys. She said she knows you two are short term, but that won’t impact anything with Harper. She loves Harper and wants to stay on as long as we’ll have her.” She takes a breath. “I know she believes her words, but I equally know how hard it is to lose you. I suppose we’ll see how things go. All I ask is that when things go south, please keep Harper in mind when you decide how to conduct yourself.”

I pinch my eyebrows together. “That’s it? I’ve developed a twitch all week for that? I thought you were going to key my car or slash my tires.”

“I’mnotthe crazy jealous ex-wife in this scenario. I’m trying to be reasonable.AllI care about is Harper and what’s best for her. It’s such a catch-22. You want your daughter’s nanny to love and protect her like she’s her own, but then you equally fear too much attachment and eventual heartbreak. I gave it a lot of thought this week. At the end of the day, I couldn’t possibly ask for a more perfect person to have around our child. Do I wish she was the ugly duckling? You bet I do. But she’s not. She’s a stunning, talented, wonderful young woman.” She smiles playfully. “Honestly, Tan, she’s too good for you.”

I chuckle. “I’m aware.”

“Does she know you’re done having kids? She’s the kind of woman who probably wants ten.”

“I told her from day one that I have no intentions ofever getting married again or having more children. I told you; she knows what we are. I’m not misleading her.”

She studies me carefully. “If you say so. Have fun with Harper. I’ll see you at her party. I look forward to our parents’ annual trading of the barbs.”

I smile. It’s true. My father doesn’t get along with her parents at all.

“Bailey is bringing Kamryn and Arizona to surprise Harper.”

She responds, “That’s nice of them. She’ll be over the moon.”

Dad arrived this morning,just in time for Harper’s laser tag party. The three of us drive to the venue and arrive at the same time as Fallon and her parents. I look back at my father. “Play nice in the sandbox.”

Harper innocently answers, “I always play nice, Daddy.”

“I wasn’t talking to you. You’re a good girl. I was talking to Grandpa. He’s a bad boy.”

Harper giggles and pats his head. “Be a good boy and I’ll let you have some of my cake.”

Dad rolls his eyes. “I’m always a good boy. It’s your Nanny and Poppy—”

“Dad,” I warn.

He straightens his shoulders. “I’m very much looking forward to seeing Nanny and Poppy. They’re…lovely. And I’m most excited to meet this Bailey woman you’ve been talking about nonstop, Harper. She must be very special.”

She sure is.

Harper nods. “She’s transcendent.”

Dad smiles at her use of the word. “I look forward to meeting this transcendent nanny of yours.”

Harper whispers, “She’s also my best friend in the world.”

I clutch my chest. My heart.

We step out of the car, and Fallon’s parents immediately gush over Harper. They give my father and me significantly less warm welcomes. I see Fallon give them a look of warning similar to the one I gave my father. This is going to be an interesting day.

The party is just underway when Bailey walks in with Kamryn and Arizona. She’s holding a cake and smiling at me.

My father coughs. “What the hell is happening? Do models frequent the laser tag facilities? I need to find one in Florida.”

My lips curl in amusement. “That’s Bailey, her twin sister, and their friend. They’re all professional softball players.”

He mumbles, “No wonder Philly has become a softball town. Holy shit.”