Page 73 of Mended Hearts

“Precisely.” But my snarky evaluation cut off the second she closed the distance.

“Mommy!” Beau squealed, wriggling like a happy little worm. Ollie’s hand locked around him tighter, knuckles whitening like he was keeping his son from walking straight into a predator’s jaws. My eyes landed on Tillie, who straightened her tutu with meticulous care—like she was bracing for an evaluation.

“Hello, babies,” Carly trilled—but didn’t bother to look at either of them. Nope.Cruella’seyes zeroed in on me first, then scraped over Ollie like he was something she owned. Her nostrils flared when she caught sight of his hand slipping from my back.

And just like that, she snapped her full attention to my face like she’d just ID’d a threat.

No wonder she’d terrified so many nannies straight out of a paycheck.

Goddammit, she had Tillie’s eyes. Same shape, same ocean-blue hue—but Carly’s were cold, dissecting. Tillie’s held wonder. Hers held ice.

With a too-white smile stretching across her surgically flawless face, she leaned forward and offered her hand like we were brunching in the Hamptons. “You must be Leighton!”

“In the flesh,” I said, giving her a firm shake and resisting the urge to shatter something in her palm.

“Pleasure.”

“I’m sure.” I retracted my hand like it was radioactive, catching Greyson rolling his lips against his teeth beside me. Carly blinked, clearly unprepared for anyone not falling for her charm offensive.

“Well,” she began again, voice syrupy. “I have to say, it’s just so sweet of you to be so involved in Matilda’s life after hours. I imagine you must miss having a life of your own.”

I curled an arm protectively around Tillie’s tiny shoulders, flashing her a grin. “This girl brings more joy than she could possibly know. Honestly? I thank Ollie all the time for bringing such a beautiful blessing into the world.”

“Yes, well,” Carly sniffed, “it’s miraculous what we’ll do for a paycheck, isn’t it?”

My jaw clenched so tight it crackled. I pictured how satisfying it would be to backhand that smug little smirk right off her face.

“Actually,” I said tightly, “her performances were the highlight of my year. Built-in ballet chauffeur, remember? Part of the gig.”

“How… quaint,” she drawled, like the word offended her sensibilities. “Must be a small town thing.”

“Nice of you to make an appearance,” Greyson cut in, all venom, no camouflage.

“Well,of course. I never miss an opportunity to visit the theater.”

Not ‘to see my children,’ I noted silently. Was she abducted by aliens before the last three performances?

I looked down at Tillie, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze. “You ready? I can walk you back.”

“How kind of you to offer, Leighton. I loathe how many people they pack into these places, and the dancers’ rooms are always awful. It’s like stepping into a middle school gym during an assembly.”

“I think it’s exciting,” I said, watching Tillie’s eyes drop to the floor like the comment had doused her light.

“It is nice to be young.”

“You’re awfully spiffed up for an event in agymnasium,” Greyson observed, voice flat as stone as he took a step back.

I slipped my camera into my bag, hands itching to be free.

“Oh, I’ll take any excuse to wear couture, Grey, darling.” Carly gave him a little twirl. “Isn’t this dress just gorgeous? I thought it fit the Nutcracker theme beautifully. Don’t you?”

She batted her lashes at Greyson. Bold of her. Stupid, too. Alice looked one word away from knocking her out.

“It sparkles like my costume,” Tillie said shyly, cheeks flushing as she looked up.

“Almost!” Carly chirped, crouching in front of her. “Someday I’ll take you to Jeremy. He’ll get you into something that hides that tubby tummy. Good designers work miracles.”

My mouth fell open. I actually gasped.

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