Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

HAYES

I'm not sure what it is, but the way she's smiling at me is unsettling, like she's going to kill me in my sleep.

Quinn, I mean. Not Flora. She hardly ever smiles, and when she does, it's cute, not like the stiff, toothy expression Quinn is currently sporting.

I was relieved when she turned her mother down on her "genius" idea. It saved me from having to do it. After all the stuff I've heard about her, it's clear Quinn isn't capable of taking care of herself, let alone another human. I appreciate Bess trying to solve my predicament, but I promise her daughter isn't the answer.

She makes her way through the bakery, not stopping until she's at the edge of our table. Then she just stands there, unmoving and still smiling .

See? Unsettling.

After nearly a minute of the awkwardness, I lift a brow. "Yes?"

"Oh!" She shakes her head, seemingly snapping herself out of it. "I brought your breakfast."

She settles my bagel in front of me, then slides Flora's donut across the way.

" Extra sprinkles," Quinn says, tossing the kid a wink.

Flora grins, grabbing her donut instantly and taking a huge bite like she hasn't eaten in days.

Fuck, I really need to feed this kid better.

"Will that be all?" Quinn asks, still with that unnatural grin.

"The coffee I paid for would be nice."

Her smile slips just slightly, her eyes tightening around the edges. "Of course. I'll be right back."

She hurries away, and I stare after her as she sashays back behind the counter, her ponytail swishing behind her with every step.

I bet her hair is soft.

I don't know where the thought comes from or why it comes, but I push it away as soon as it appears. Who cares how soft her hair is? I don't even know her.

"Uncle Adam?"

I jerk my head to Flora. "Yes? "

"Your phone is buzzing."

She points to my phone, which is indeed shaking across the table. I snatch it up, and the name LUCAS LAWSON flashes across the screen. It goes black, then lights up again because of course it does . Lawson is just that persistent.

Or maybe he's calling because he found me a nanny.

"And here you go." Quinn slides Flora's chocolate milk—in a mug just like mine—in front of her. "One chocolate milk for the little flower, and one?—"

"Can you watch her?"

Quinn pauses, her eyes boring into my own. They're hazel, a perfect mix of greens and amber. I hadn't noticed them before, but I certainly notice them now. Just like I notice the corners of her mouth tipping down in a frown.

"Pardon?" she says.

I lift my phone. "I have to take this call. Could you watch her for a few minutes?"

She looks at Flora wide-eyed, and I see her throat bob with uncertainty. I understand the feeling. It's the same one I had when I met the kid for the first time, looking at her like she was half human, half alien or something. I had no idea what to do with her then, and I still don't know now either.

"Please?" I ask as my phone starts buzzing again.

She nods. "Sure. "

The word barely leaves her before I'm out of my seat and pushing through the door. Bess has no problem with people bringing laptops into the shop, but she becomes a grouchy diner owner regarding cell phones—they aren't allowed.

My phone lights up again as my feet hit the sidewalk, and I answer on the first ring.

"What?" I bark.

Lawson being Lawson, he just laughs. "Fuck, dude, it took you forever to answer."

"I was busy. Anyone ever tell you you're annoying?"

"Keller did this morning, but at this point, it's just his version of foreplay."

"Nah. I think he just genuinely hates you."

He gasps. "He could never. At least I hope not." He mumbles the last part, and I have no doubt he's spiraling in his head. He always comes off as this guy with no cares in the world, but deep down, he wants people to like him.

"Why'd you call me ten times?" I pace the sidewalk outside the bakery.

He scoffs. "It wasn't ten. I was only on call five, thank you very much."

"Lawsy…" I clench my teeth, rapidly losing my patience.

"Right. I was calling to let you know Rory asked around about the whole nanny thing, and she came up with nada. Auden too. She suggested her friend Lilah, but I guess she's taking off to Europe or something while figuring out what she wants to do with her life. I don't know. Sounds like rich people problems."

Rich people problems. As if he doesn't make six million a year playing hockey.

He's definitely more financially conservative than some of the guys, though. He chooses to invest instead of spending his money on lavish things like cars and extravagant homes literally nobody needs.

I can't judge, though. I was the same way until Flora came along, spending my money on whatever the hell I wanted, like high-end watches, expensive bourbons, and dinners at restaurants with no business charging so much. Now, I'm a lot more cautious with my spending. I have to be for her.

I glance through the bakery window to check how she's doing. Quinn is sitting at the table now, sipping my coffee before bending her head close to Flora as she says something. I have no idea what they're talking about, but it's clear Flora is having a good time and Quinn is genuinely engaged in the conversation as she says something back to the kid.

Then, a miracle happens—Flora laughs. And I mean laughs . She full-on tips her head back, the knotted dark hair I haphazardly threw into a ponytail brushing against her shoulders. I've never seen her laugh before—ever. Not even at the TV or something she's reading in one of her many books. She's smiled a few times, but even those are rare.

To see her laughing like this? It's the best damn thing that's happened in months, and I want to hear it.

"Don't worry about it," I say, marching back toward the door.

"What? I thought you'd be pissed. The season is?—"

"I found someone."

"You did? Who? When?"

"I'll call you later."

I pocket my phone, then tug open the door to B's Bakes.

"Welcome to—oh, it's just you," Bess says from behind the counter.

I don't pay her any mind. I'm too focused on her daughter, who is still making Flora laugh. The sound is so…odd, almost like the kid doesn't know how to laugh, but I love it all the same.

"Reconsider," I say as I approach the table.

Quinn jumps at my sudden intrusion, one hand going to her chest and my coffee sloshing over the side of the mug she's clutching in the other .

"Crap," she mutters, grabbing a napkin to clean it up. "You startled me, Hayes."

Hayes. It's the first time she's said my name. It's as odd as Flora's laugh, but I find I like it, too.

"Reconsider," I say again.

She slides her eyes over to Flora, then back to me. "Um, what?"

"What your mother suggested earlier. Reconsider it. Please."

"What my mother…" Her brows rise slowly. "Do you mean nannying for you?"

"Yes."

Her jaw drops. "I…" She shakes her head. "I'm not a nanny."

"I know, but…" I look at my niece. "Flora, do you want another donut?"

"I…" She looks sheepish.

"You can have another one, you know that, right?"

She nods, even though she doesn't look like she knows that at all. "May I?"

"Yes. Here." I pull my card from my wallet and hand it over to her. "Go ask Mrs. Bess for another."

She hops out of her chair and grabs the card. "Thank you, Uncle Adam."

She's thanking me for feeding her, and I can't decide if it's the sweetest thing ever or if I want to rip my brother's head off for clearly not giving this girl the basics.

Instead, I tell her, "Of course, kiddo."

She hurries off to the front counter, and I watch as Bess lights up, chatting with her. I take her abandoned chair and focus my attention on Quinn.

"Look, I know we don't really know each other, but I do know two things. One, your mother loves that little girl and would never put her in harm's way, so that's got to count for something."

"My mother also thinks my oldest sister is a saint, but one time when I was six, I swear I saw her eyes turn black."

"Black, huh?"

She nods. "And my oldest brother swore she had a tail when she was born. Sounds like she's the devil to me, but who knows?"

My lips twitch.

"What's two?"

"What?"

"You said you know two whole things. You've already told me one. What's the second?"

"Right." I clear my throat. "You made Flora laugh."

"So?"

"So?" I shake my head with a derisive chuckle. "So you don't know what these last few months have been like. The kid hardly ever talks and barely smiles. She's never laughed before."

Quinn rolls her eyes. "That's an exaggeration."

"It's not."

She tips her head, studying me to see if I'm lying, which I'm not.

She settles back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. "Say you're being serious and you've never seen her laugh until now. Why does that mean I—a person who has only babysat a handful of times—should be your nanny?"

"Because she likes you."

She looks to the counter where Flora is still talking with Bess, wringing her hands with nerves. Quinn watches her fondly, with a clear hint of admiration. She likes Flora too. I can tell.

"She is really adorable."

"She is," I agree. "But that's not the point. The point is she likes you."

"Plenty of people like me. How do you know I'll do a good job and won't totally screw her up?"

I've asked myself the same question.

I sigh. "I don't, but I have to take what I can get. I, uh, I'm kind of on a time crunch with hockey season starting."

"I didn't realize mascots had such demanding schedules. Surly the Snake must be a huge hit, then. "

I narrow my eyes at her because I know she knows who I am. "Ha. Funny. Our mascot's name is Stu, and he's a silly snake, thank you very much."

It's a ridiculous creature that looks like some five-year-old drew it, but the kids love him.

She grins. "So, hockey, huh?"

"Hockey."

"Does that mean you know my favorite brother?"

"Benson is your favorite, huh?" I smirk, thinking back on the last time I saw the defenseman and how pissed he was. "Dangled the fuck out of him last year. He chirped me pretty good the rest of the game, but the Serpents still won."

"Don't worry, Tennessee will get you back this season. Just wait."

I like that she's sticking up for her brother even though he's not here. I wish I had the same kind of relationship with my own, but I haven't in the past, and now, I never will.

Which brings me right back to Flora.

"Look, I don't know if you'll do well with Flora, but it's a risk I'm willing to take with the season starting up. It's clear you two have some sort of connection, and she needs that. She needs someone she can feel safe and be herself with. You could be that person."

Quinn sighs, resting her arms back on the table, her lips cocked to the side. She lifts my coffee to her mouth again, sipping it before setting it back down. I'm not sure she even realizes she's doing it, and I want to say something, but I don't want to piss her off. I think she could be coming around, and I need her help right now more than I need the coffee.

"I'm really not a nanny—you know that, right?" She nibbles on her bottom lip, drawing my eyes to the spot, and I momentarily wonder if her lips are as soft as they look.

"So you've said. A few times now."

"I know. I just want to be clear on that so you know I have no clue what I'm doing and I could mess this up. I mean, I'm going to try really hard not to, but the possibility is there."

I like that she's admitting she could screw up. Maybe it'll mean she'll pay extra attention so she doesn't.

"The truth is, I'm…I'm kind of in a bind right now." She flicks her eyes to her mother and Flora, then back to me. "I lost my job and my car is in the shop again and I'm wildly behind on my rent and can't believe my landlord hasn't kicked me out yet. I could really use a break."

Fuck, is this a good idea? Am I banking everything on her? It's clear she doesn't have a single responsible bone in her body. Is this truly my best option?

Then I remember the sound of Flora's laughter .

Yes. It's worth giving her a shot just for that.

"I could use this job more than you know," Quinn continues. "If you'll still have me after I just spilled all my secrets to you, I mean."

I nod. "I'll still have you."

She lifts her brows, and I realize how suggestive my words sounded.

I clear my throat. "For Flora, of course," I amend.

"Right. For Flora." I follow her gaze to the kid, who is now being handed a chocolate donut. "Is she always so quiet?"

"Believe it or not, this is the most animated I've seen her yet." I look back over at Quinn. "It's you. At least I think it is."

"I don't know about that." She shrugs, her cheeks turning pink. "Probably just drawn to my immaturity."

Probably, but I don't tell her that.

"I think you could help her and break her out of her shell more. I just need you to say yes."

"Hayes…" Her eyes cloud over with apprehension, and I fear I'm losing her. I can't fucking lose her. I haven't even gotten close to finding someone yet. I can't afford to let this opportunity pass me up.

"A trial run," I offer, looking for any breadcrumb I can find to save this. "You could spend the day with her tomorrow, then see if you're up for it. "

"Tomorrow? It's a Monday—doesn't she have school?"

"Some teacher meetings or something. She's off." Which means I'd have to take her to the practice facility yet again, and I really don't want to do that. I need to start focusing on my game, not checking on Flora every few minutes.

"Oh. I mean, tomorrow is so…soon."

"You have anything else to do?" I challenge, knowing she likely has no plans other than wallowing on her couch if she just lost her job.

"That's fair."

"So, does that mean you're in?"

"I don't know…"

" Please ," I beg, because that's how low I've stooped.

She sighs. "Fine. A trial run tomorrow, then I'll let you know for sure. Deal?"

She holds her hand out to me like we're shaking on a bet or something. If that's what it takes to get her to say yes, I'll do it. I slide my palm against hers, trying not to notice how soft her hand feels against my rough one, then shake twice.

"Deal."

"Good." She clears her throat. "Well, then…" She rises from her chair, pushing her hair back from her face and smoothing her apron. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow. "

"I'll grab your number before we leave so I can send over my address."

She nods. "Good. Good."

She hesitates. Flora quietly comes back and slides onto the chair Quinn gave up, digging into her donut and having no clue I solved all our problems.

"Right. Well, bye."

She spins away, then pauses before turning back to me.

"Yes?" I ask.

"Could you…" She tucks an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "Could you maybe not mention the whole ‘possible eviction' thing to my mom? I haven't told her yet."

"Your secret is safe with me."

"Good." She smiles and turns away again.

"But, Quinn?"

She stops, looking over her shoulder at me. "Yes?"

"I'll take that coffee now."

Her eyes widen and fly down to the lipstick-stained mug in the center of the table. She rushes forward and grabs it, her cheeks now a deep red, then hurries off toward the front counter, muttering to herself the whole time. I watch her, grinning as she fumbles to get the machine going.

"You like her too."

I snap my eyes to Flora, who is looking at me more like a seventy-year-old than a seven-year-old, wise far beyond her years. "What?"

"Miss Quinn. You like her too."

"I…" I shake my head because, no, I don't like her. I like the fact that she's going to fix all my problems. That's all.

"Eat your donut, kid," I tell my niece.

And she does…smiling the whole damn time.