out of the ignition. “He sure did,” I answered, trying not to sound sarcastic. I was a lot of things, but I wasn’t the type of parent to badmouth the other. He didn’t need my help to look like a deadbeat dad to his daughter. “Come on, out of the seat. Where’s your back pack?”
“Oh, no!” Addy clamped her small hands over her mouth and closed her eyes. “At home. Oh no, Mommy.”
“My fault. I rushed us out. It’s no big deal.”
“Will I still get promoted from Mitch?” she asked.
“I don’t think we’ll see your friend today. We got lucky yesterday,” I said. “Now, grab my hand. Let’s go.”
We headed toward the walkway that was erected over the street, leading us from the parking structure to my building. We always entered on the ninth floor, and today, we made it just in time. Instead of using the elevator, we breezed down the flight of steps to where the Children’s Center was. When we got there, the kids were seated, and the old ninny was still present and in charge.
“I see you’ve forgotten your backpack?” she said to Addy. “How do you expect to learn if you can’t remember basic things, young lady?”
“I won’t—” Addy started making excuses for herself—a fucking three-year-old toddler—as the old woman towered over her intimidatingly.
“Addy, it’s okay. Go sit with the others,” I said, holding my arm up to back the woman away from Addy.
The fact that this bitch thought she could flex on my kid sent me through the roof, and I felt my self-control slipping away as Addy joined the group.
I took a long, slow, deep breath before I brought my furious gaze to meet the woman’s eyes. “You have the fucking nerve to speak to my child as if she’s the one responsible for her things? What the fuck is wrong with you? You’re already getting fired for acting like a miserable bitch, and you still can’t help yourself?”
The look on her ashen face would’ve led anyone else to believe that I’d just ran over her cat. “Are you threatening me?” she said, flabbergasted.
“I’m serious as a fucking heart attack, lady. I can see the look on your face. Scolding a three-year-old for not bringing a backpack? Really? It’s not like you sent her home with homework, is it? Did I miss that part after I picked her up?”
“Maybe you did.”
“Bullshit. Listen up,” I said, pointing at her. “If you so much as look at my daughter sideways and I find out about it, you’re going to regret it. You have no idea what I’m willing to do to make sure my daughter is safe from predators like you.”
“Well…I, um…listen, this is a complete misunderstanding, Miss Gilbert.” She straightened her posture and held her head high with some level of righteous indignation that I had no idea how she had the nerve to muster.
“You’re right about that.” I looked over at the children and the aides who sat with them. Aside from this old nag, they seemed well taken care of, and that was the only reason I didn’t march Addy out of that place right then. “I trust you’ll make sure my daughter has a good day. I’ll check on her later.”
I turned to leave, and there was Jim with the young Johnny Depp-looking friend of his who I met at the restaurant in London. My eyes widened, and the Johnny Depp guy seemed to be covering his grin while Jim was looking past me at the hag.
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” I plastered on the best smile I could. “I have to get to work.”
“Is everything okay, Miss. Gilbert?” Jim asked, eyes still on the woman. “Ms. Spokes?”
“No problems at all, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Grayson,” she responded.
I stood at the preschool entryway and leveled the woman with my glare, and she didn’t say another word. I should’ve left and headed to my desk, but I didn’t want this woman spinning anything.
“Mitch!” Addy screamed, running over to greet her new friend. “I’m promoted today.”
“Hey there, Addy,” he said as he knelt to greet her. Certainly a good call, or he would’ve been doubled over by my daughter, ramming into his balls. She squeezed his neck, and I covered my mouth when he patted her back with one arm and remembered her name.
Maybe he did remember a lot more than our fake roleplaying. Wait, he was just good with names. Oh, hell, he didn’t have to do this at all. It was the gesture alone