Page 4 of Even Beneath the Stars

Okay then.

I hesitate, remembering what Laney said about his mother’s lavish jet-setting. Maybe those rumors are true.

"Ok. Well, you could try calling this Denise woman?" I suggest. "Is she family, or—"

"No."

"Oh, so another nanny?"

How many people does it take to raise one preschooler?

"P.A.," he says.

I frown. "Uh… sorry?"

He doesn't answer, glancing around distractedly like he's looking for someone else he can approach, who might give him a more favorable response than I just did.

"What does P.A. mean?" I ask again.

"Personal assistant."

My jaw drops. "Finnhas apersonal assistant?"

And there goes all the professionalism I swore in the job interview I would maintain at all times with kids' family members. But could anybody blame me right now for gawking?

He gives me a weird look. "Mymother'sassistant."

"Oh." Still. Weird.

"Look, can you just let me sign Finn out? I'm taking him go-karting and a few people are waiting, so…"

"Sorry, I really can't."

Xavier's jaw clenches, his easy-going demeanor thoroughly evaporated. "You realize this is total bullshit, right?"

I inhale through my nose, trying to stay calm. "Look, I get it. But rules are rules. I can't just—"

"You can't what? Make an exception? For someone picking up his ownbrother?" His voice drips with sarcasm.

"Unfortunately, no." I gesture at the binder. "If your name's not on this list, I can't let Finn leave with you. It's for the kids' protection."

Xavier runs a hand through his hair again, messing it up even more. "Protection? From what? Their own families?"

"Hey, I don't make the rules," I snap. "I just follow them. Like everyone else here."

He scoffs. "Right. Because everyone just blindly follows rules without question."

"When it comes to kids' safety? Yeah. Actually, they do."

"Yo, Xave!" A voice cuts through the tension. A guy leans out of a nearby jeep. "Stop chatting up the ladies, bro! Let’s bounce!"

I refrain from rolling my eyes.

Xavier ignores him, stepping closer instead. "I really don’t think anyone’s going to accuse you of endangering Finn by letting him leave with his own brother."

My cheeks burn with frustration. "Are you seriously asking me to risk my job for you?"

He scoffs, like it's a ridiculous insinuation. "It's not like anyone's going to care. Or like anyone would even know you—"

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