Page 66 of Double Fault

“These are so yummy,” Maddie says as she digs into the first waffle.

“Better than the freezer kind?” I ladle more batter onto the waffle iron.

“So much better.”

As she stuffs another forkful into her mouth, I snap a photo.

“Hey,” she laughs, the sound garbled. “Why do you keep taking my picture?”

“Because your dad wants them.”

Her nose crinkles. “Why? He’ll see me later today.”

I take the mixing bowl to the sink and fill it with water while I wait for the last waffle.

“He loves you,” I say as I shut off the faucet. “He wants pictures of you. Is that so bad?”

She puffs out her lips. “I guess not.”

All day, her mood is strange. She doesn’t bring up the nightmare, and I don’t ask. I’m glad Noah mentioned it. Otherwise, I’d be concerned with the change in behavior. I’ve never known her to be this mopey.

At the end of the day, when I’m headed back to Lucy’s, I find myself sad to be leaving them behind. Yes,them.

Despite my best efforts, hard-headed Noah Baker has grown on me.

“Was it a hard day?” Lucy asks thirty minutes later when the three of us are sitting at the table.

“Not in the way you’re probably thinking. Maddie was having an off day. She’s sad about her mom.”

She makes a soft sound of understanding, her hand going to her still flat stomach. “Poor girl. I can’t imagine losing my mom that young. She’s my best friend.”

Rather than respond, I use the side of my fork to cut into my lasagna. I’ve never had that kind of relationship with either of my parents, so I can’t relate.

When the flavors register on my tongue, I hum in surprise. “That’s really good.”

“Thanks.” Alyssa brushes her hair back over her shoulder, beaming. “It’s my sister’s recipe.”

Wiping the corners of my mouth, I decide to get the bad news out of the way. “By the way, I didn’t get the job.”

Lucy sets her fork down, her shoulders falling. “The fourth-grade teaching position?”

I shrug, poking at my dinner with my fork. “It’s for the best.” Even if it sucks to have lost out on yet another position. Anymore, I feel like I’m grasping at straws. Even though I know in my heart I would’ve turned it down, it hurts not to be chosen. “I can’t imagine leaving Maddie.”

“The nanny gig is supposed to be temporary for you.”

Eyes lowered, I nod once.

“What’s that look about?” Alyssa asks, her tone a mix of confusion and concern.

Lucy screams, scaring the shit out of me.

Alyssa and I both whip around, eyes wide, to find her with her hands pressed to her cheeks.

“Are you sleeping with Noah?”

“No!” I retort too quickly. Too defensively. Too shrilly.

She shrieks and flaps her arms. “You so are.”

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