Page 97 of Payoff Pitch
“Okay, Daddy.”
She and Dylan head to their room. Fallon looks at me. “How’s Bailey?”
“Upset. She had a strained relationship with her mother. I think not getting closure will sting for a bit. It’s worse for Kamryn. She had a lot more animosity toward their mother than Bailey did. Of course, Bailey is more concerned about her sister than herself.”
“I’m sorry for what she’s going through. It can’t be easy.”
“It’s not.”
She blows out a breath. “Not to sound insensitive, my heart genuinely breaks for her, but maybe you should stick around an extra day or two so we can chat about the fact that you’re fucking our daughter’s nanny.” She shakes her head. “My mother was right. I told her she was mistaken, that neither you nor Bailey would be so selfish, but she saw it. I was ignorant, but she knew right away.”
I pour myself a drink and take a long gulp. Shit. I wasn’t going to drink tonight. Fuck that. The situation warrants it. “We didn’t plan this, Fallon. It just happened.”
Her lips tighten into a thin line. “When you hire a woman who looks like a swimsuit model as a nanny, and you look like…you, this kind of shit is inevitable. I explicitly expressed these concerns to you before you hired her, and you assured me it wouldn’t be a problem. I don’t care who you fuck, Tanner, but I care if it could hurt Harper. When you dump the poor kid in a few weeks, where does that leave Harper? You know she loves Bailey. She’ll be devastated when Bailey leaves her. Heartbroken.”
I take another sip, letting it smooth out the edges. “What do you want me to say? We’ve agreed to be casual. To not let it impact Harper.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh please. Don’t play ignorant. I see the way she looks at you. I assumed it was unrequited puppylove. I didn’t know you were so weak. This isn’t casual for her. I barely know Bailey, but I know enough to realize that a girl like her probably doesn’t do casual. Maybe when she gets back from Florida, the three of us should sit down and figure out what’s best for Harper.”
“I’m…I’m going to Florida with her.”
She freezes and simply stares at me for a few moments. Her hand moves over her mouth. “You have feelings for her.” She whispers to herself, “Holy shit. I’m such an idiot. How could I be so blind?”
I’m getting angry but doing my best not to raise my voice to her. I calmly yet clearly state, “You know what, Fallon, my love life is none of your concern.”
“I don’t disagree, but when it impacts Harper, it is. How could you be so careless about who you sleep with?”
I scoff. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? At least I didn’t—”
I stop myself from finishing that sentence when I see the tears streaming from her eyes at the uncharacteristic shot fired. I’ve never once thrown her affair in her face. I pride myself on that fact.
I hold up my hand. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
Her lips tremble as she shakes her head. “No, you’re right. I’m the dirty whore of the two of us, not you.”
“You’re not a dirty whore, Fallon.”
Tears continue to fall from her eyes. “I broke up our marriage. I lost the only man I’ve ever loved because of a foolish decision. One that I replay over and over every single night of my life, wondering if I made a different choice, what our lives would look like. Would we have gotten past the distance and found our way to happiness again? Would Harper have married parents? I suppose we’ll never know, and I’ll be left…” She doesn’t finish her thought.
“Be left how?”
She shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter.” She takes adeep breath, gathering herself. “I’m going to read to the girls. Go help Bailey with whatever she needs. We’ll talk more when you get back from Florida.”
It’s early morning,and we’re about to leave for the airport. Harper is clinging to Bailey for dear life.
Fallon looks at me with worry written all over her face. I know she’s concerned about Harper’s attachment to Bailey. She’s not wrong.
Harper whimpers, “I’m sorry you’re sad, Bailey.”
She kisses Harper’s head. “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about me. You know what would make me feel better?”
Harper looks hopeful. “What?”
“If you promise to have the best week with your mommy.” Tears fill her eyes. “You’re very lucky to have such a good mommy.”
Fallon wraps her arms around Harper from behind. “We promise, right, baby?”
Harper nods. “Y…yes.”