Orlando (Boyle Heights #4) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,44
baby who looked so at peace now snuggled up in Danica’s arms. “I’ve seen him do that with Orlando, but he’s never snuggled up to me like that.”
Her eyes were back on Danica’s, and it was clear as day Felicia wasn’t crazy about this. It panicked Danica. From the moment Felicia introduced herself to her impromptu interview, Danica could tell Felicia was feeling her out. Danica couldn’t say she really blamed the girl. She’d heard enough stories about relationships being torn apart when the father of a baby had an affair with the babysitter or nanny. Danica’s first impression of Orlando had been that of a tatted-up god. So, she understood how any girlfriend of his would have to have the confidence of a goddess herself to not feel insecure about his spending any time alone with another girl. Thankfully, before Danica could even try to come up with something to counter whatever might be going through the girl’s head, Felicia started toward the dining room table. “Anyway, reason I turned on the TV in the first place is so you’d have something to do while he slept because I have to get to work now that you’re here. Everything you need for now is in that diaper bag.” She motioned to the bag on the table behind the sofa. “There’s a bottle already made for him in the fridge.” She turned and eyed Danica once again. “Orlando should be here shortly.”
Danica should’ve been feeling beyond relieved and even more excited about having Oreo all to herself. Instead, a feeling of dread began to sweep over her, especially now that she’d gotten a taste of what it was like to have him back in her arms. After everything falling so into place, her worst nightmare now would be Felicia possibly bringing a halt to this arrangement if she felt threatened in any way. She assured her she’d be fine no matter how long Orlando was gone. “He doesn’t even have to be here really.” She wanted that part to be clear.
“That’s what I thought.” Felicia lifted a brow as she pulled on a windbreaker.
“Only reason he will today is because he wanted a few pointers, I guess.” Felicia picked up her purse from the dining room table, eyeing her as Danica went on, “Said there’s a few things he’s been struggling with. But after that it’ll be just me and the baby.”
Felicia nodded as Danica tried lifting the baby away from her to adjust him, but he clung to her as if she might be trying to put him down. Felicia’s eyes were instantly on him as he wrapped his little arm around Danica’s neck. She looked up at Danica again, staring at her for a nerve-wracking moment. “Orlando sure will be pleased to see how quickly he’s taken to you. He’s been so worried about finding the right person to watch him. I guess he’s found her.” As exciting as Felicia’s words were to hear, they weren’t spoken with the same enthusiasm as Danica took them in. Clearly, Felicia wasn’t as pleased about this as she said Orlando would be.
Danica would have to be diligent about making sure Felicia never felt threatened by her. “I, uh . . . I have a way with babies, I guess,” Danica offered, glad that like with Ted, despite still fumbling a bit, lying to Felicia came much easier than it had with Orlando. “It comes from experience I have working with children. You and Orlando will get a hang of it with time.” Danica’s phone ringing distracted them as they turned to her purse where it was in. It gave her an idea, one she hoped would give Felicia some added assurance that Danica was not there to try and steal her man, as if she had so much as chance of landing a man like Orlando. “That must be my boyfriend.” She started toward her purse, hopeful the ease in which she lied to Felicia continued. “Anytime I get a new client and I’m going over to their place for the first time, he asks me to check in.” She turned to Felicia, smiling nervously. “H-he worries like that.”
The expression on Felicia’s face did ease up and she even smiled. “Go ahead and answer.” She dug in her own purse for something. The number on the screen of Danica’s phone was a toll-free number she didn’t recognize. When she answered, she was glad to hear the automated recording, and tried to