Page 14 of Hello Tease

“Okay,” she said.

I turned and went toward the bathroom, then walked inside looking for Emily’s prank. That was until I lifted the toilet lid and found it wrapped in Saran Wrap.

“Classic,” I chuckled. Then I let out a louder, “OH NO!”

Even from here I could hear Emily’s hysterical laughter.

I carried on while I turned on the sink and splashed water on my shirt and sweats.

Then I went out to the kitchen, where Emily was doubled over from laughing so hard.

“I made a mess of myself, Emily!” I said, gesturing at my wet clothes.

She laughed harder, her face turning red. Even Larkin and Jackson were laughing along now.

I bent over, putting my hands on my knees. “I’m going to get you back, Emily! Better watch out!”

She went to her mom, clinging to her leg, and stuck her tongue out at me before laughing again. When I looked up at Larkin, there was something I couldn’t quite place in her eyes as she mouthed,Thank you.

8

LARKIN

As I sippedmy coffee on the drive to work, I was still thinking about all Knox had done, first thing in the morning, to make my kids smile. The kids were already at their grandparents, and Emily had told Nancy all about the prank as soon as we arrived.

Nancy gave me a judgey look that I tried not to think about. It saidshame on you for having a moment with a man so soon after the divorce.

And to be fair, she wasn’t wrong about us having a moment. There was so much to like about Knox, I knew I’d get burned if I let myself get too close.

For one, the way he looked bent over his coffee maker, giving me this gourmet drink, muscles visible through his shirt and gray sweatpants. The outline of his package, showing me he had more than enough to work with. His slightly messy hair. The way he played up the prank to make Emily happy. I sipped my drink slowly, not wanting it all to be gone. But once I hit the last sip, I promised myself that I would be practical when it came to Knox Madigan, both in my thoughts and in my actions.

I could just hear my sister chastising me for thinking of any man as more than a potential rebound. And I knew Knox was more than that. He was the first man to make my children smile that way since their father left, and I could never risk that for them by involving my heart.

The retirement community came into view through my windshield, and I slowed, easily finding a parking spot up front. This was definitely an upside from living in the big city—parking everywhere! And completely free, no meters or anything.

I took it as a good sign as I got out of my car and walked up to the front door. I had to ring the bell, but soon the community director, Bernice Williams, came up to the front, smiling at me through the windows. I recognized her from our video interviews.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” she said as she swung the door open to let me in. “Our last nurse was amazing, but she’s staying home with her children, and we’ve really needed an extra hand. It’s not so easy to convince talented nurses to move to a small town.”

“I’m glad to be here,” I said honestly. I missed having a job outside the house when Seth and I decided I should stay home to raise our children. Work was the one place I had to myself, where I really felt like I knew what I was doing. Often, it felt like more of a vacation than real trips did because I didn’t have to worry about taking care of my kids or my spouse. I could just be me.

“Let me give you the grand tour,” Bernice replied, linking her arm through mine.

We walked the halls of the building, meeting residents along the way, and she showed me the bedrooms, community center, and then brought me to meet the CNAs who were busy with their shifts and some of the residents in various stages of their day.

It made me miss all the residents from my last job, before I had Emily. I’d loved being a nurse in a retirement home, hearing so many life stories and becoming family with all the people there. It felt like a part of me was coming back to life, just walking down these halls.

Bernice lowered her voice as we approached an older man wheeling himself down the hall. “I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but this is mine.” Then, louder, she said, “Grandpa Griffen, this is our new nurse, Larkin Cappes.”

“Cappes,” he said. “Like Nancy and Jerald.”

“I used to be married to their son,” I confirmed.

With a twinkle in his eye, he said, “He let a beaut like you walk away? What a dumbass. I have to say, youth is wasted on the young.”

I grinned, extending my hand to shake his. “Nice to meet you.”

He nodded. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to beat the shit out of Clifford in a game of Sequence.”

---