Page 44 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

Being married to the alpha had its perks, and I guess being friends with her helped even more.

"If you're ready, we can introduce you to some of the children. Drop-off time is starting in five minutes. This would be a good time to introduce you to the parents and all the kids."

I nodded and followed her lead. We headed back to the front of the building, where a couple of parents were already dropping off their kids. Becky introduced me to everyone, and I smiled the best I could. All the kids smiled before running off to play.

I quickly gathered that the daycare had thirty-five spots. It had two toddler rooms and two preschool rooms. The smaller business meant that each kid received more attention, which the parents loved.

We waved at the last parents who were leaving when Becky turned to me. "All of the teachers should be here, so let'ssay hello. We have Rebecca and Ivy, who run the toddler rooms. Quinn and Hillary run the two preschool rooms. Hailly is a float that helps out wherever she is needed. You and I are responsible for helping fill in for lunches and breaks."

I noted that and followed after her.

Most of the day was spent following Becky around and learning my place. I quickly found that the girls worked well together and didn't need much guidance. Everyone got along well, and I felt that I was going to be okay. By lunchtime, I sat down at my desk, looking forward to telling Cayden all about my day.

My phone rang, and I grabbed it, finding it was April. We hadn't talked in a few days, and I knew she would want all the details she could get.

I answered the call and leaned back in my chair. "I'm doing fine before you ask."

"You haven't called me. I was beginning to worry that you made a new best friend and had forgotten about me," she spoke teasingly, and I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry, I've been busy." I was also scared of what she would say when I told her I'd made up my mind and wasn't coming back. She might have been on board before, but I had only mentioned it. I was sure now that I was staying.

"Well, what's been going on since we last spoke?"

I chewed on my cheek for a moment, considering what I could tell her. I wasn't sure how she would feel if she found out her brother and I had slept together. I still needed to discuss that with Cayden and see what he thought about how she would take it.

So, I went with the truth.

"I've decided to stay here. I actually got a job, and I started today as a manager at a daycare. However, I'm not entirely sure if they needed a manager. I feel like I fit here, though."

"That's great," April said, sounding excited on the other end.

"Really? Because last time we spoke, you seemed….unhappy about the idea of me not coming back."

"Well, of course, I hate the idea of not seeing you every day, but you have to do what's best for you. And I want you to be, Riley. If being there makes you happy, do it."

I smiled. "That means a lot. I was actually going to look for places to rent while I was on my lunch break. I'm kind of excited about getting on my own two feet."

"Good. I always said you were too good for Brad. He would be nothing without you."

I shiver at his name, hating how he still had that effect on me. I wanted to move past it all, but I knew it was going to take time.

"Speaking of the ass….how is he?"

"He finally showed up, and I wanted to run him over in my car. But I didn't as I promised."

I chewed on my cheek. "What has he been up to?"

"Same as always. Word on the street is he's looking for a new woman."

I scowled, hating how he moved on so quickly. But who was I to say anything? I slept with someone.

I shook my head, wanting to move past the topic. "Did you get my stuff?"

"Yeah, which is the only reason he's still alive."

I had a few important items at his place that I didn't want to live without.

"I have a box of your stuff. I'll bring it with me when I come down."

---