The Curve Ball - Samantha Lind Page 0,79

her sandals.

“She’s playing in the jumper,” I say, pointing into the kitchen. “I was just cleaning up from breakfast,” I tell her as she takes off for the kitchen.

“Oh my!” she exclaims. “She’s gotten so big! Evie girl, what have they been feeding you?” she asks her as I watch her lift her from the toy.

“She sure is growing like crazy. I just had to rotate her clothes to the twelve-month size already. Girlfriend loves her food,” I tell Julie. I hear the door open again and look back to see Justin and his dad, Paul, come through it, a suitcase in each hand.

“I might have brought a few things for her.” Julie looks at me, sheepishly.

“A few?” Paul questions, raising his brows at his wife. “Practically the entire baby store,” he muses.

“Nice to see you again, Paul,” I greet him as he sets the suitcases down and goes to his wife’s side to say hello to his granddaughter. His face lights up as he smiles down at her, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. This little girl has so many people who love her unconditionally. I can only hope that it makes up for the fact that her mother isn’t in her life.

“Good to see you again, Riley. How’s my son treating you?” he asks as Justin slides up next to me. He places his arm around me possessively then kisses the top of my head.

“Just fine,” I tell him honestly.

“That’s good. Believe it or not, we did raise him with manners,” Paul chuckles.

“Is that so?” I say as if I do not believe his statement.

“Yep, a Boy Scout, as well,” Julie tells me.

“Okay, okay. I am right here, guys. Can you at least wait to talk shit about me until I’m gone at practice?” he protests.

“Of course. I brought your baby books along to share with Riley, so on you go. I’ll tell her all your embarrassing stories while you’re gone throwing a ball around,” his mom says, just as sweetly as pie, as she flashes her son a shit-eating grin.

“Mom,” Justin groans. “Please don’t scare Riley off.”

“Never. If she can put up with your shenanigans, then she’s a keeper in my book,” his mom tells him matter-of-factly.

Paul steps away and takes their suitcases down to the guest room while I follow Julie outside with Evie. Justin had to get ready and head off to practice for the next few hours. We will see him again later this afternoon, and then, of course, he is whisking me away for our date. Kind of hard to believe that this will be our first actual date with just the two of us. We always have Evie with us, which I do not mind one bit, but it will be nice to just be the two of us. Not have to worry about feeding her or bedtime or being loud or interrupted by a crying baby.

Once outside, Julie sits down on the grass with Evie, a few toys scattered around the two of them. “I want you to know how thankful we are that you came into Justin’s life when you did. We were so worried about him when he first called us to tell us about Evie, but after that first trip out, it calmed some of those fears, and now seeing the three of you together, you guys make the perfect little family. I hope he expresses his gratitude and makes you feel that way.”

“Thank you,” I tell her, not really knowing where to take this conversation. “I love both of them,” I say, being as honest as I can. “I still clam up a little bit when people just assume that she’s my daughter, but I get it. She looks like she could be, based on her skin tone and hair color,” I tell her as she looks down at Evie. “I usually just avoid answering people by not correcting the assumption. Figure it is not really any of their business that I am her nanny, but also her dad’s girlfriend. It is kind of weird territory.”

“It is, but y’all will figure out what works for you. Who cares what people think or assume? If the three of you are happy and healthy, that is all that matters in the end. And I would say this little girl is pretty dang lucky to have you in her life as a strong female role model. If one day you truly step into the role of her