Page 3 of Make Your Shot
And I still haven’t found someone else to watch Tella for me.
“Umm—” I pause, chewing on the inside of my cheek again. “No, not yet.”
Rowan stares at me. “We’re traveling in two weeks. What are you planning on doing with Tella?”
My hand rakes through my hair, and I clutch the back of my head. “I don’t know.” I pause, letting out a ragged breath. “The off-season flew by and I haven’t really thought much about it.”
Emotion passes through Rowan’s eyes. “I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to be you, but you have to figure something out.” He pauses, rolling his lips between his teeth. “Have you asked Mia? She’s great with kids, man. I would recommend her to anyone.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t really think about her.”
“You should ask her, I’m sure she’ll help if she can.”
“I don’t know, Rowan.” My voice is low, heavy with defeat. The thought of having to find another nanny is overwhelming. Mia would be the easiest solution. She’s familiar and if the guys all trust her, then there’s no reason why I can’t.
“Just think about it, okay?” He insists with a shrug.
There’s a soft knock on the front door and it slowly opens. I watch Rowan turn around, confusion passing over his expression. “Mia. Is everything okay?”
“Oh, yes.” She smiles brightly, nodding before looking at me. My breath catches in my throat and Iimmediately push whatever the fuck that was away. “You’re parked behind me, Caleb.”
“Oh.”
Why the hell is my brain short-circuiting?
She stares at me, her smile fading when I don’t hop up and shifts her weight on her feet. “Um. Are you able to move your car?”
Rowan half glares at me. “Ford.”
Him saying my name knocks me from my stupor. I shake my head, blowing out a breath as I climb to my feet. “Yes, of course.”
“What the fuck was that?” Rowan mutters under his breath, raising an eyebrow. I lift my eyebrows and shoulders simultaneously before following Mia out through the front door.
She’s well over a foot shorter than me and her dirty blonde hair is pulled back in a clip now. My eyes travel down her petite frame, to her waist and ass before moving back to her shoulders.
I may have lost my wife, but I didn’t lose my vision. Mia Landry is beautiful. And off-limits. And luckily for both of us, I have no plans on ever getting involved with anyone else again.
“I’m so sorry to bother you,” Mia says softly, as she slows her stride to fall in step beside me. A hint of vanilla and lavender infiltrates my senses. “I tried to see if I could get around you somehow, but I couldn't.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her, my voice low. “I didn’t realize it was your car that I parked behind.”
“Well, either way,” she says, a smile lifting her lipsas she glances at me. “I appreciate you coming out to move it.”
“No problem,” I reply in a gruff voice as I stop beside my car. Mia walks to hers, turning to look at me once more over her shoulder before lowering herself into the driver’s seat. I follow suit, getting into mine to back out of the driveway. I move my car in front of the house, parking it along the side of the street.
As I get out and shut my door, Mia pauses beside me and her window slides down. “Thanks again, Caleb,” she says, leaning forward to see me. There’s just enough of a glow from the porch light to make out her brown eyes, a lighter shade almost like dark honey.
“Of course,” I tell her, my voice barely audible. My throat bobs with a rough swallow.
I could ask her right now. I should ask her before she leaves, but the thought of burdening her stops me. Mia might help all the guys out, but that is just for a night here and there. I don’t need a babysitter for me to go out to dinner. I need someone I can depend on for the entire season.
Someone who can stay at my house with Tella when I’m not there.
And I know I can’t ask that of her.
“Have a good night, Mia,” I finally say, bobbing my head at her.
A gentle smile caresses her lips. “You too, Caleb.”
