Orlando (Boyle Heights #4) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,20

shut the hell up as his sympathetic gaze continued to take her in.

“Family issues?”

“Something like that.” Jesus Christ. What happened to all the plans she’d so meticulously practiced? Lying to Ted was so much easier. But then his arrogance made that easy. Not that she wasn’t pathetic about her ability to lie to even him. He just had his head so far up his ass most days she knew he’d sooner choose to believe her untruths than that she’d ever be insincere to him. To her relief, her car was pulled up to the door, and they both turned to see the guy get out with her keys.

“Listen. Can I get your number, or can you take mine? I’ve been looking around for someone to watch my son.” He glanced down at the beautiful bundle on his chest and kissed his head. “But the truth is I’m a single dad and he was very unexpected. So, I don’t know the first thing about what to look for in a caregiver, nanny, whatever. You sound like you know what you’re doing. I know you mentioned already having a second job if you take the one here, but maybe we can work something out? I wouldn’t need you all day every day. I have some help with him already, but I’ll need someone else a couple days out of the week.”

Keep it together. You’re in. Don’t you dare blow this. Needing to look away again, she tapped her phone’s screen. “We could probably work something out.”

“I’m Orlando by the way.” She glanced up at him, and she was treated to very sweet smile, and there it was again. She thought she’d seen it that first day she’d been here and then again earlier when he eyed her strangely. But she’d since decided she must’ve been imagining it. No way could this stud have any interest in her stuttering ass other than her possibly being a good candidate to watch his son. Yet, there was this sort of twinkle in his eye when he smiled as he was doing now. “And you are?”

Danica shook her head, realizing she’d zoned out. “I’m De—” She caught herself but tried not to panic as the twinkle in his eyes sucked her in. “Danica.” What? She was supposed to have said Delia! She could use her sister’s information when the time came in case they ran a background check so her shady past wouldn’t automatically disqualify her from the job—especially working with his son. “Danica.” Her stupid ass actually reiterated, in case she hadn’t made it clear enough the first time. “Danica Suarez. What’s your number, Orlando?” She could only pray this wouldn’t continue. There was so much to lose if she kept on blurting out the truth because, for whatever reason so far, she’d been incapable of lying to him. Danica needed this to keep her sanity. She’d nearly lost it more than once since giving up the baby. Lying her way back into his life, especially when she had nothing but good intentions, was acceptable, right?

This wasn’t a malicious act she was committing. Orlando had nothing to worry about leaving the baby in her care. Hell, she’d sooner give her life for that baby than ever bring any harm to him. So why the hell couldn’t she stick to the damn plan? Adding his number in her contacts, she promised him and Nine they’d hear from her in a few days. She realized that, as a possible new babysitter to his son, she should show more interest in the baby. But she was this close to losing it again. The way things had gone so far, she was now afraid focusing too much on the baby would have her blurting out the truth about being the one who left him at her door. That he was the real reason why she’d been an emotional mess all these months, and she’d blow the whole thing.

Getting it together, she excused herself and assured him he’d hear from her soon then got the hell out of there as fast as she could.

Chapter 6

Danica

With her heart still bursting, Danica pushed open the door to Crudos, feeling a pep in her step. It had taken her a little longer to get there than what she’d said to Ted in her text. But then she did have a face full of triumphant tears to clean up before she could get out of the car. Ted waved her down as soon as