Page 55 of The Surrogate Nanny
“Thank you for being there for my family when I couldn’t.”
“No problem. What are friends for? I’ll send you an invoice.”
“You piece of—”
“I’m joking,” he laughed before hanging up.
“Does it look like I’m in a joking mood, asshole?” I complained as I pulled out of my parking spot.
I need to get back to my girls.
***
“Hey. Where are the girls?” I asked when I entered the house.
“They’re resting in your bedroom.”
My heart fluttered. I imagined the three of us in bed, enjoying a lazy Sunday morning of breakfast and cartoons. I wanted that with Simone—the lazy Sundays, the summer barbecues, the family excursions—even the perfect mixture of her and me that I dreamed about.
I’m in love with her.
“Thanks again for showing up and staying with them. What are you going to do about Eliza?”
“I’ll figure it out. Her behavior was irrational and malicious, and she could’ve gotten Simone and Nori hurt, and quite frankly, I don’t want that behavior around the kids.”
“No, shit. The last thing you want is three entitled rich shits running around causing mayhem.”
“Mhm,” he agreed. “What’s in the bag?”
“Something that should prevent this from ever happening again. I trust that you’ll see yourself out?”
“Yeah. Take care, Anthony.”
I nodded and climbed the stairs to my bedroom. I poked my head in and found Simone and Nori snuggled underneath the covers, looking like they belonged there.
They absolutely do.
“Anthony, is that you?” Simone whispered, not bothering to raise her head from my pillow.
“Yeah, it’s me,” I confirmed, slipping into the bedroom. “Is there room for me?” I asked, kicking off my tennis shoes.
“There’s more than enough,” she answered, scooting them over to give me space. I eased into bed behind her and tugged them close. My arm rested protectively over them.
“Tell me how you’re feeling.”
“I feel like pulling up on Jonathan’s ex and kicking her ass.”
I chuckled and kissed the back of her head. “I share your sentiment, but what else?”
“I feel lucky.”
“Lucky?”
I wasn’t expecting that.
“The situation could’ve gone left, and Nori could’ve gotten hurt. So, yeah, I feel lucky.”
“What else?”