Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“I’ve got to go, Marianne. I’ll be here early to get ready and everything. I have to head over to Ryan’s after I stop at the house.”
“And change your panties.”
“Bitch.” I flip her off and turn around and add, “Yes.” I can’t believe the man has made a mess of me, turning me into a woman I don’t know or recognize. It’s amazing and I feel so free. Marianne and I were both antisocial in school and when it came to the boys but whereas she was too bossy and business-driven, I’d been too shy to speak to people. Trent just came and uprooted my whole damn personality in a heartbeat. I know that it’s only because of him, but still, I like this side of myself.
It takes me ten minutes from the mall to my house, so I go home and shower, changing into more relaxed clothes, pinning my hair up in a messy bun, and joggers. When I hang out with Max, it’s a lot of fun, but he’s almost a teenager and I see the way the preteen looks at me.
His temperament has gone from the sweet little boy to a bit of hormonal interest in my figure, which makes me uncomfortable. I haven’t spoken to his father about it because I could be wrong, but I’m ending my babysitting duties soon when the next semester starts because I have an internship that begins and Mr. Samuels is already aware of it.
When I pull up to the house, his ex-wife is just arriving and parks alongside my car. I’m surprised because he told me that Max needed a sitter and was already home, but I see him in the backseat.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels.” She remarried two years ago and they share custody. She never drops or picks up Max without Mr. Daniels. I wonder if he’s jealous of the ex. I can’t imagine being in their situation, but it’s not my business.
“Hello, Lola. How’s school coming along?”
“The semester ended, so I’m waiting to start my last semester in January.”
Max pops out of the backseat with a smile.
“Hey, Lola,” he greets me. “So you’re hanging with me today?” I nod. “Score. I thought Dad was off today.” I fix my expression before someone notices that I’m confused as to why it’s a surprise. Ryan told me he had to work, so I would have to watch Max all day.
“Ryan made it clear he wanted Max for the next two days because he was home.” A scowl crosses Mr. Daniels’ face, but he swiftly takes my path and masks it. A chill runs through me, so I zipper up my coat all the way.
“Lola, is everything okay?” Mrs. Daniels asks.
“Yes, but if I’m not needed, I can go home. There’s a lot for me to do today.”
“Sure. I’ll tell my ex-husband we sent you home because if you are sitting for Max, then we’ll take him back with us to go see my family.”
“Oh. Okay. Sure. Have a happy holiday.”
She gives me a hug. “Be careful and have a safe holiday.”
I nod and walk up to Max. “Merry Christmas, Max.” I give him a hug and then go back to my car that is parked beside theirs. Just as I drive off, Ryan comes outside, slipping on his coat.
My house is only two miles away, but it feels like an eternity as I drive away. Whatever that was, it was weird. Custody issues can be combative, and I just think I witnessed Ryan being petty about Max going to her side. That’s not kind at all.
I park my car in my small garage and go inside the little house I bought with my hard-earned paychecks and my parents’ high school graduation present. It’s a small one bedroom eight-hundred-foot home, but it’s mine and it’s paid off.
All throughout high school I worked and, in the summer, I worked two jobs. Luckily, the older lady that I bought the house from was going into a retirement home and sold it to me for twenty percent less than its market value.
It’s too early to put on my Christmas lights, so I pop onto my sofa and take a much-needed break from the stress of the day. Jinx, my black cat, climbs up onto my lap. “Hey, buddy. Did you have a great time being lazy?”
He meows with attitude before curling up on me, flicking his tail a couple of times before he’s nice and comfortable. “Just enjoy yourself.” I pet his head and relax, listening to his purr. As I chill there, I think about someone else’s lap, and the image of Trent Nicholas slides into my brain and the way he stared at me. The sound of my phone’s notification goes off, causing it to vibrate on the coffee table. Reaching out, I scoop it up and check it.