Page 125 of Even in the Dark

"She quit last night."

I can't tell if he's messing with me. I study him for a second and he just stares back, with zero change in his expression.

My gaze drops to the binder again. "Okay… Well, there's your mom, and also, uh, Denise Semble?"

He leans in closer to peer at the permission form, like he doesn't trust I'm capable of correctly identifying three names on a list. His tanned neck hovers just below my face, chestnut waves brushing his collar—and I'm annoyed that despite being an ass, he still smells really, really good. Bonfire and subtle cologne.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Weird that his dad's not listed.

Xavier leans to the side to peer out the window again, overlooking the Kid's Club area.

I give him my best placating smile. "So, maybe call your mom and—"

"She's out of town."

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.

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