Page 29 of Make Your Shot
Somehow, her tiny body creates quite the wave that sends my raft floating farther away from me. I turn my body against the water, although some ends up splashing me in the face anyways. I wipe the water away, turning back to her to make sure she comes up for air like she’s supposed to.
Tella swims underwater across the pool, coming directly to me before she stops and pops to the surface. “Want me to go get your raft? I’m a really good swimmer. Daddy had me take lessons so I can swim in the deep end.”
A laugh spills from my lips and I feel my expression softening. “Sure. Let’s see your skills.”
Tella takes a deep breath before plunging back beneath the surface. She doesn’t get very deep and her legs kick against the water, splashing all over the place as she swims. Her torso wiggles as her legs kick, her arms moving in a sweeping motion as she heads over to the raft. I watch her as she bobs up, reaching for the raft and half climbs onto it.
“How did I do, Mia? Did I do good?”
“You did a great job, T!” I clap my hands and smile brightly at her. The sun shines down upon us with not a single cloud in sight. “You really are a strong swimmer.”
“Thanks,” she says. Huffing and puffing, she kicks her feet to head back over to me. She gives the raft a one-handed shove toward me before releasing it. “Here you go.”
“Thank you, T.” The rustling of the gate lock on the side of the house pulls my attention. It opens up andMatteo comes running through the backyard, letting out a holler as he jumps right into the pool.
“Matteo Vincent Ford!” Andi calls after him, juggling her drink, their bag, and the gate. She ends up kicking it closed with her foot, shaking her head in disapproval as she walks over to the pool deck. She drops their things onto the table and kicks her shoes off. “You get out right now so I can put sunscreen on you.”
Climbing onto my raft, I bite back a grin as Matteo climbs out of the pool. “Hey, Andi.”
She looks at me, puffing up her cheeks to blow out a breath while rolling her eyes. “Hey, Mia.”
When Tella decided she wanted to swim, the second question from her was whether or not Matteo could come swim too. I texted Andi and thankfully they had nothing going on this afternoon, so they headed over after having lunch.
I texted Caleb to let him know, not that I think he would actually care, but it felt like the right thing to do since this is his house. They’re traveling today, so he didn’t answer, but I didn’t want him to come home to a pool full of people.
Andi quickly helps Matteo dry off, smears him with sunscreen, and sends him back into the pool with Tella. Then she pulls off her coverup and slides her sunshades over her eyes before stepping into the water. “Oh, this feels nice,” she says, smiling as she nods her head in approval. “I know Caleb tends to keep it warm, but with it being later in the season I wasn’t sure if the temperature would hold up or not.”
“I honestly didn’t expect it to be this warm,” I say asshe grabs another raft floating in the pool. “Then again, I didn’t expect it to feel like this in the fall either.”
“What a weird day,” she agrees. “I’ll take the weather though.”
“Same.”
“So, how are things going here? Is Caleb being nice to you?”
I stare at her for a moment, tilting my head to the side. “It’s been going really well. Is he normally not nice?”
Andi chuckles and waves her hand dismissively. “That’s not what I meant. Cale can just be a bit...abrasive sometimes. Actually, I don’t know if that’s the right word. He’s just a bit closed off at times and can come across as standoff-ish.”
I slowly nod my head in understanding. I know what she’s talking about, although my interactions with Caleb haven’t really been like that. “He’s been fine. He’s been very kind and nice to me.”
“Well, that’s good,” Andi tells me. “If he’s ever not nice, you let me know and I’ll beat his ass.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” I say, laughing. Her stern face cracks and she laughs with me. “The Caleb I knew before working for him was different. I wouldn’t say he was cold before, but he was never very friendly.”
“Oh yeah, that’s typical Caleb Ford. It’s like he’s allergic to forming any kinds of bonds or relationships with people,” she says, half muttering in disapproval. “I mean, then again, I guess anyone who lost their significant other would probably act like that.”
Sadness pricks at my chest and I tilt my head back, closing my eyes against the sun. “Yeah, I think that’s a normal reaction, although you would think at some point that would change.”
Andi’s silent for a moment. “Maybe it’s changing now. I haven’t been around him much lately, but perhaps he’s lightening up.” She stares at me through her sunglasses. “Maybe you’re changing him.”
“Maybe he’s changing,” I agree, my voice trailing off as I run my fingers through the water, feeling it sliding along my fingertips. “But I doubt it’s from me.”
“Oh, please, Mia. He’s a broken man, but he’s not dumb nor is he blind.” Andi tilts her head to the side. “You’re hot, living in his guest room, and taking care of his daughter while he’s away. The Caleb I know wouldn’t give two shits about another woman. Gloria was safe for him because she was old enough to be his mother, but you on the other hand...”
“He’s my boss, Andi.”
She raises a brow. “So, what? What is he going to do? Report you to HR?” She lets out a chuckle. “Honey, heisHR.”
