nodded, and though it was subtle, she didn’t miss the way he took her in again from top to bottom. Danica had never been as affected by a gaze as she was by his, and she didn’t know what to make of it. It was almost electrifying, and her ridiculous body practically trembled. Feeling her face heat, as his eyes seemed to almost search hers, she couldn’t take it anymore, so she glanced away. “So, when you say you work one-on-one with kids, you mean like a nanny?”
With her heart instantly spiking, Danica had no choice but to look up at his curious eyes again. “Something like that.” It wasn’t that far from the truth. Thanks to her sister and her lifelong experience with her brother, she could explain this part a little easier without having to pull too much out of her ass. But then just like earlier, those penetrating eyes did something, and before she knew it, she was confessing. “Actually, it’s my sister who’s the licensed therapist, not me.” What the hell? “I’ve just been helping her for years. She works out of our house.” What in the world was she doing? She’d had an entire story rehearsed about all the experience she had working independently with kids. But the more those amazing eyes gazed at her, nodding with genuine interest, the more the truth vomit continued.
“The kids she usually works with one-on-one are special needs kids: Autistic, Down Syndrome, ADHD. It’s more like child therapy. She does activities with them that teach coping skills to help with their behavior, learning or emotional issues. So, while she’s not exactly a nanny, she does spend a lot of time with them, and I’ve helped her with them for years.” She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping to God she could at least stick with one of her planned white lies so he’d be more impressed with her experience, and reminded herself not to go back to robotic mode. “But it’s why I’m off today. The little boy I usually work with on Fridays moved recently.”
“You work in a school too? Are you a teacher?”
“No.” She shook her head as the excitement in her chest and the unexplainable guilt she’d already begun to feel spread even further in her gut about the one lie she’d been able to stick with. “No teaching credentials. B-but I am a child development student with an emphasis on children with special needs.” Also, partly true, so stop stuttering! “I went back to school recently. I’d started way back, but for various reasons had to stop and get a job, but I’m working on it. Just not licensed yet, so it’s why I can’t charge what a fully licensed therapist would. That and, uh . . . the fact that I have a knack with kids.” She cleared her throat but lifted her chin because the next part used to be true. “It’s what keeps me fully booked for the most part.”
Nine walked back in. “Should be done any minute now. They’ll drive your car up when it’s ready.”
“Thank you,” Danica said, glancing back down at her phone. She’d been so caught up with Orlando she hadn’t even noticed the response to her text from Ted.
Where are you?
“You ever watch kids that are not special needs?” Orlando asked, making her insides go wild, and it had her nearly choking her up again. Was this actually going to work?
“Give me a sec,” she said, casually wiping the bead of sweat just above her upper lip, and smiled, motioning to her phone. “I need to respond to this.”
What she needed was a moment to gather herself. She responded to Ted’s text, explaining she wasn’t too far away and she’d be there soon. But all she could think of was the possibility of what Orlando might ask next. The very thought had her fingers shaking as she finished up the text and sent it.
Cursing the warmth of her already flooding eyes, she took a deep breath before looking up at him again. “Yes, I do.”
His eyebrows furrowed as he searched her eyes then glanced down at her phone before meeting her eyes again in question. She nodded, annoyed with herself for being so damn weak. “That same personal issue I mentioned. It’s been going on for a few months now.” Shut up! She pressed her lips together in an attempt to stop the continued truth vomit. “It’s been draining.” Pleading with herself inwardly, she managed to