Page 20 of Payoff Pitch

“I don’t plan to sleep with her, Fallon. She’s not even my type.”

She rolls her eyes. “She’s everyone’s type. Look at her.Iwant to freakin’ sleep with her.”

I chuckle, and she smiles playfully. “Seriously, how old is she?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. She graduated a few years ago. Late twenties, I guess.” Twenty-eight and a few months. I may have looked it up while sitting out here, hoping she was at least thirty and I wasn’t a pervert. “She loves kids. Her references are impeccable. She wants to eventually be a teacher, even majoring in childhood education. She nannies during every off-season and always has. That’s as far as I got until the guys said they finished the cage and Harper begged to break it in with Bailey.”

She shrugs. “It’s your call. I trust you. I certainly know you wouldn’t put Harper in harm’s way.”

“Of course not.”

“If she’s the best person for the job, then you have my blessing.”

I nod. “Okay. I’ll let them know. You’ve certainly made Harper a happy little girl. I mentioned to Bailey that you might need her now and then when you’re in a bind and your parents aren’t around. It makes sense to have onenanny for consistency. I’ll take care of it whenever you need her.”

“Thank you. That’s very generous of you.” She bites her lip nervously. “Speaking of my parents, I got a call on my way here. My father tripped on a cobblestone street in Spain and broke his foot.”

“Oh shit. Is he okay?”

“He’ll eventually be fine, but physically getting him home is too much for Mom. Between the luggage and him in a wheelchair, she just can’t manage it all. Fortunately, it was the last stop on their cruise. I told them not to get back on the ship. To stay put. I need to fly over and help them get home. I’m slammed at work for the next few days. He won’t be able to fly before then anyway, but I’ll be there through the weekend and into next week. Can you handle Harper, or should I bring her with me?”

I think for a moment. “She’d miss a few games. She’ll freak out. I’ll keep her.” My eyes widen in realization. “Shit. You’re going to miss the team’s family camping trip.”

Without me noticing it, Harper and Bailey had stepped up onto the deck as the words trickled out of my mouth.

Harper’s face falls and she screeches out, “You’re missing the trip, Mommy? We’ve been planning it all summer.”

Fallon’s eyes fill with tears. “I know. I’m so sorry, baby. I hate to miss your special night. Poppy got injured. I have to go help him. He needs me. You’d help Daddy if he were hurt, right?”

Her lip trembles and her head falls. Tears spill over her long eyelashes. “Y…yes.”

I stand and pull Harper into my arms. “It’s not Mommy’s fault. She wants to be with you more than anything, but she’s being a good daughter. Poppy needs her. I’ll do the mommy and daddy activities. You won’t miss anything. I promise. You can decorate my hair and beard with all the girly stuff you want.”

She shakes her head as the tears begin to fall heavily. She sobs, “You can’t do the mommy activities. It’s girls only.”

I ask, “What about Michelle? She has two daddies.”

“Her aunt is coming.”

Bailey asks, “If you don’t mind me asking, when is this trip?”

I look at her. “Saturday night.”

“We have a Saturday morning practice and no practice on Sunday since we leave for a short road trip on Monday. I don’t want to overstep, but I can go if you’d like.”

Harper lifts her head and she gasps, the tears immediately stop. “Bailey Hart coming on our trip? Everyone will be so jealous. Please, Daddy, can she? Can she?”

“Umm…umm…” I look at Fallon. It’s up to her.

I can tell it hurts, but she doesn’t want to disappoint Harper more than she already has. “Thank you, Bailey. It’s a very generous offer. Why don’t we chat for a bit and get to know each other before deciding?”

Bailey smiles innocently, completely unaware that Fallon is hurting. “Anything to help.”

I point to the chairs at the table on the deck. “Let’s sit for a minute.”

Everyone takes a seat, including Harper. I turn to Bailey. “I want Fallon to get to know you, Bailey. We’re a unified front when it comes to parenting our angel. I know I mentioned you possibly helping when she’s at Fallon’s from time to time. Her parents are extremely helpful in that regard, but her father is injured, and it may be a trying few months for them. We may need you more than I thought.”

Bailey nods. “Of course.”