Page 16 of Prove Me Wrong
“Exactly,” she whispers, tucking loose strands of dyed silver hair behind her ear. “Look, I wish we didn’t have to do this, but it’s either they cut down the days, or close the daycare altogether. There’s nothing else we can do.” Her tone sounds as deflated as I feel.
I run my tongue across my teeth. Rubbing at my stubbled chin, I take a moment to think about the situation.Maybe this is the perfect timing. Maybe this is what I need to jump on Mia’s offer to look after Jade. I know she might have only meant it as a once-off, but it’s worth?—
My thoughts are abruptly cut off when Cori reaches out, her light fingers stroking down my shoulder, feeling the roundness of my muscles. I flinch at her touch but don’t push her away.
“I can take her if you need someone to help you?” Cori’s dark brown eyes stare up into mine, voice smooth. They’re coated in a whisper of desire that makes my stomach twist. I know she has liked me for a long time, but I’ve never given her anything to suggest that I want her. She’s just never gotten the hint. Her touch feels like acid, burning along my skin uncomfortably. My pulse races restlessly. “I am happy to help you out, Noah. I hate that you live there on your own now.”
My throat burns as I bite the inside of my cheek, tasting the metallic tang of blood, and shake my head again. “Cori, don’t.” My voice is low and rough, not wanting her to go there.
She purses her glossy lips, moving closer. The scent of her overpowering musky perfume almost makes me sneeze as she leans in and touches my arm again. “Come on, Noah. I want to help you out.” She purrs under her breath, “And if something else happens, then…”
I pull my arm away and grit my teeth. Jade latches tighter to my leg. Pulling my daughter up to my hip, I glare down at Cori, whose eyes are slitted. “No, Cori. Just stop.”
Cori’s face scrunches as she crosses her arms. I couldn’t care less if I’ve offended her. If someone needs to watch over my daughter, it will certainly not be the girl who has chased me since she realised how wealthy my parents are. Joke's on her because I haven’t spoken with them since Jade was born.
“Fine,” she spits. Turning on her heel, she storms over to a mum who has come to collect her three-year-old son.
I exhale, feeling beat after the long day. Jade pokes the side of my cheek. Looking at her, she smiles her tooth-gapped grin, and my heart settles once more. “I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better now. Come on. Let’s get you home,” I murmur and kiss her temple before walking her out of the stuffy building.
Driving home, I feel the angst bubbling inside of me. I try the breathing exercise I was taught months ago to collect myself. In for five, hold for five, and out for five.
It’ll be fine. It’ll all work out.
I repeat this process the entire drive home until I pull up, grab Jade and her backpack, and stalk over to June’s house. Knocking on the front door, my nerves jitter as beads of sweat form on my forehead. I don’t know why this is so nerve-racking, but the moment the door opens, and hazy eyes meet mine, my breath becomes heavy, heart pounding wildly.
“Hi, Grey.”
Chapter Six
MIA
His husky tone brushes over me once again, and I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from jolting at the silkiness of Noah’s honeyed voice.
My heart hammers in my neck as I open the door wider. Jade stares at me with round eyes, a faint smile colouring her face as she sits quietly on his hip. I’m glad she’s feeling better than this morning. Her cries and screams made my chest ache. She was in so much pain and I couldn’t do anything to help her.
Noah stands in a dark grey tee that’s smeared in grease and sweat, matching dark pants and what appear to be streaks of oil on the side of his neck. Beads of sweat glisten on his sun-kissed forehead as the lowering sun shines down on the quiet street. There’s a slight breeze, and I catch his earthly, masculine scent, mixing with the damp leaves and grass in the evening autumn air.
I bunch up the ends of my jumper in my hands, fisting them at my sides. “Hi, Noah,” I rasp out, unsure of why he’s here.
He clears his throat, a small crease forming between his light brows, and I can tell something is bothering him. Fingers playing with Jade’s shoes, I watch as he meddles with something in his mind.
“I'm sorry for bothering you, but I really need to ask if you were serious this morning.”
My eyes search his bright green ones. "Oh, um.” Words escape my mind, confused about what he’s referring to.
“I’m talking about you looking after Jade,” Noah adds, noticing my confusion. “If you meant that you could?”
My head rears back a little, and I blink up at his pleading face. “Oh, r-right,” I stutter, lost for words.I had meant it. I wouldn’t have minded looking after Jade for the day since I have nothing here keeping me busy, besides practicing the piano and applying for more design jobs, but I wasn’t expecting Noah to take me up on the offer. “Is she still unwell?” My voice shakes slightly as I question him. “I can watch her if you have a date or something,” I rush out, my cheeks blooming with warmth.
Noah sniffs a laugh, fluffing his golden hair with his spare hand. My eyes linger on his bulging arm muscles. Swallowing, it moves beneath his sun-kissed flesh, flexing and expanding, and I am utterly captivated. Black ink shows when his short sleeve lifts, and I see a date written across his skin.
Tearing my gaze away, I meet his questioning eyes before looking down at the timber porch.He definitely just caught me ogling his arm.
“What makes you think I have a date tonight, Grey?” A smirk pulls up his mouth, showing off his dimples.
My lips part, but Jade cuts me off with incoherent blabber. I smile up at her once more, saving me from saying something embarrassing.
“It’s nothing like that. The daycare told me today that they’re moving from five days down to three, so I will need someone to watch Jade twice a week,” he explains. My teeth sink into my bottom lip, listening. “It’ll be Tuesday and Thursday, and I will pay you for your time, that is if youdon’t have any work right now. I probably should have asked you that first. I don’t know why I didn’t lead with that…” he trails off.
