Page 20 of Delayed Penalty

He scoffs. “It wasn’t ten. I was only on call five, thank you very much.”

“Lawsy…” I clench my teeth, rapidly losing my patience.

“Right. I was calling to let you know Rory askedaround about the whole nanny thing, and she came up with nada. Auden too. She suggested her friend Lilah, but I guess she’s taking off to Europe or something while figuring out what she wants to do with her life. I don’t know. Sounds like rich people problems.”

Rich people problems.As if he doesn’t make six million a year playing hockey.

He’s definitely more financially conservative than some of the guys, though. He chooses to invest instead of spending his money on lavish things like cars and extravagant homes literally nobody needs.

I can’t judge, though. I was the same way until Flora came along, spending my money on whatever the hell I wanted, like high-end watches, expensive bourbons, and dinners at restaurants with no business charging so much. Now, I’m a lot more cautious with my spending. I have to be for her.

I glance through the bakery window to check how she’s doing. Quinn is sitting at the table now, sippingmycoffee before bending her head close to Flora as she says something. I have no idea what they’re talking about, but it’s clear Flora is having a good time and Quinn is genuinely engaged in the conversation as she says something back to the kid.

Then, a miracle happens—Flora laughs. And I meanlaughs. She full-on tips her head back, the knotteddark hair I haphazardly threw into a ponytail brushing against her shoulders. I’ve never seen her laugh before—ever. Not even at the TV or something she’s reading in one of her many books. She’s smiled a few times, but even those are rare.

To see her laughing like this? It’s the best damn thing that’s happened in months, and I want to hear it.

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, marching back toward the door.

“What? I thought you’d be pissed. The season is?—”

“I found someone.”

“You did? Who? When?”

“I’ll call you later.”

I pocket my phone, then tug open the door to B’s Bakes.

“Welcome to—oh, it’s just you,” Bess says from behind the counter.

I don’t pay her any mind. I’m too focused on her daughter, who is still making Flora laugh. The sound is so…odd, almost like the kid doesn’t knowhowto laugh, but I love it all the same.

“Reconsider,” I say as I approach the table.

Quinn jumps at my sudden intrusion, one hand going to her chest and my coffee sloshing over the side of the mug she’s clutching in the other.

“Crap,” she mutters, grabbing a napkin to clean it up. “You startled me, Hayes.”

Hayes.It’s the first time she’s said my name. It’s as odd as Flora’s laugh, but I find I like it, too.

“Reconsider,” I say again.

She slides her eyes over to Flora, then back to me. “Um, what?”

“What your mother suggested earlier. Reconsider it. Please.”

“What my mother…” Her brows rise slowly. “Do you mean nannying for you?”

“Yes.”

Her jaw drops. “I…” She shakes her head. “I’m not a nanny.”

“I know, but…” I look at my niece. “Flora, do you want another donut?”

“I…” She looks sheepish.

“You can have another one, you know that, right?”

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