Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
While I’m scrolling through and clicking on each one, I realize I have no idea what to look for. “I trust your judgment.”
“Maybe I can check out a few of them and see which one fits best.”
“Sounds good.” I go to pass his phone back when a notification pops up on his screen.
There’s definitely no mistaking it this time. Especially considering part of the Grindr message shows, and it’s a request for dick pics.
“Well, I really hope that’s not your sister-in-law asking to see your dick.”
He turns red as he takes his phone back. “Shit, shit, fucking shit.”
“That’s four bucks in the swear jar.”
He doesn’t appear amused. “I want you to know that Kaylee won’t see any of those messages or anything on my phone. The full display only comes up if the phone is unlocked, and I keep it in my pocket when I’m working. I don’t—”
I touch his arm because he’s borderline freaking out. “Lyric, I believe you. It’s okay.”
He lets out a relieved breath, and I have to remind myself to let his arm go. His surprisingly toned arm. Damn it, Ryder. Stop.
“Thank God. I thought I’d gone and fu—dged this whole thing up.”
“Not at all.” But I swallow the lump in my throat. “Though, words of advice? Dick pics aren’t cool.”
Lyric bursts out laughing. “No, they’re not. And yet, I still get requests daily.”
“I thought you said you have trouble getting dates?”
He looks at me like I’m a moron. “I have no trouble finding hookups. Actual dates that could lead to a boyfriend? Nope.”
“I don’t think Grindr is the place to do that. It’s a cesspool.”
He pauses, and I realize I tripped up.
We stare at each other, and his curious eyes almost have me blurting my sexuality all over him like a unicorn vomiting rainbows.
“I’m guessing it’s like Tinder.” I hold my breath.
“It really is,” Lyric says.
It’s not that I’m purposefully keeping it from him—okay, maybe I am—but the thing is, if I tell him now, it would seem sleazy as fuck.
First day on the job and I’m all “Oh, by the way, I’m not as straight as everyone thinks I am.”
It would look like I’d only hired him for one reason, and I didn’t.
I didn’t.
He’s good for Kaylee, or he will be.
Minus a few industry people and those closest to me, no one knows the truth about me. I’ve pretended to be straight for this long; I can keep it up in Lyric’s presence.
“You really don’t date?” Lyric asks.
“I couldn’t imagine dating again. I haven’t since … basically when Kaylee was born.”
Lyric’s eyes widen.
I laugh. “That look on your face says it all. I don’t have time to date and no one to look after Kaylee if I did.”
“You have me now.”
That idea excites me until I realize he’s talking about looking after Kaylee while I go out on a date. With someone who isn’t him.
“I really can’t see myself sitting across from someone at a restaurant and doing the whole ‘getting to know you’ thing. Not to mention the press would have a field day. I’m trying to disappear from the spotlight here.”
“Can I ask about …” Lyric hesitates.
I know what he’s going to say because it’s what everyone wants to know. “Kaylee’s mom?”
“It’s okay if you don’t want to get into it. It’s just no one really knows much about her.”
“Her request.” I know he wants more, but I don’t know if I can give it.
The truth of what Maggie and I had is a little sad and somewhat bitter, but we got Kaylee out of it.
“We were childhood friends.”
“How did you end up with sole custody?” His phone chimes again, and this time it’s a regular message tone. “Oh. Brenna’s outside the gate.”
“Story for another time, then.” Or never. I’m good with never too.
Lyric stands. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He’s halfway out the door when he turns at the last second. “Oh, and there’s leftover spaghetti with a million different vegetables hidden in the sauce if you’re hungry. Kaylee ate it without complaint.”
Lyric leaves with a cocky smile and a huge chunk of my respect.
Chapter Six
Lyric
I think I’m impressing Ryder with my awesome ability to hide vegetables in Kaylee’s food. All week, she’s eaten whatever I’ve made her without even a hint of hesitation.
If she were ever to figure it out, all trust between us would be shot, so I have to hope she’s like Chase and remains oblivious.
Because I like working for Ryder and Kaylee.
It’s only been a week, but we’ve eased into a routine without too many hiccups.
The only big issue was a superfan who recognized Kaylee at one of the playgroups. We left early and haven’t been back.
The group I ended up choosing is a mixture of low-key nannies with only one or two high-maintenance moms.
So far, it’s been great.