a ballerina.” To prove that point, she leapt about and spun, performing for me. Although my head pounded, it was a heartwarming sight nevertheless.
“Aren’t you a sweet little dancing fairy,” I said, admiring her artful moves when Miranda raced in.
“Ava, don’t disturb our guest,” she said.
With that waist-length hair, Miranda was a head turner. Her horn-rimmed glasses highlighted her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.
My gaze wandered down her body, and her perfect hourglass figure led me over delectable curves. Suddenly, I had a raging case of morning wood.
Was I looking at the same girl?
“She’s adorable,” I said, returning my attention to the little girl, who I assumed was Miranda’s daughter.
“Be a good girl and eat your breakfast. We have to leave for school soon.” She checked the time and gave a little groan then looked up at me apologetically. “I slept in, sorry.”
“Hey, don’t stress. Do you need a lift?” I asked.
“That would be great. My car’s still at the garage being repaired. I’ve been borrowing my mother’s car, but she needed it last night. I was meant to get up early…” She bit into a nail.
“It’s all good. We can drop Ava off on the way back to Malibu.”
“If it’s not a problem, then sure, thanks.” She smiled sweetly. “I’m actually ready. Can I make you a coffee?”
I shook my head. “Only water, please.”
Miranda left and came back with a large glass of water.
My parched throat had me draining the glass in one gulp.
Fifteen minutes later, we were on the road. I looked into the rearview mirror at Ava sliding all over the red leather on the back seat.
“She’s a very excitable child,” I said.
Miranda nodded. “Just like her mom.”
“I wouldn’t exactly describe you in that way.” I cast her a sidelong glance. “I haven’t seen you leaping about …” I grinned. “Yet.”
She turned sharply. “Ava’s not my child.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Then why isn’t your sister taking care of her? Not that I mind driving her. She’s amusing.” I glanced at Ava performing the splits and chuckled.
Miranda turned to her niece. “Ava, settle down.” She turned back to me. “She’s convinced she’s a dancer.”
“Why not? She’s talented,” I said, keeping an eye on the busy traffic ahead.
“Harriet’s a nurse. She works the graveyard shift at a rehab facility. I take Ava to school in the mornings so Harry can sleep in. I’m not sure where we’d find the time to take her to and from dance classes now that I have a job.”
“That must keep you busy.”
She sighed. “It sure does. My mom’s offered to help, but my sister’s worried that she’ll turn Ava into a project.”
“In what way?”
“Her education. We were homeschooled. My mom has this attitude toward learning that’s straight out of the fifties. She’s always correcting my grammar, along with everyone else’s.”
“For what it’s worth, I think your grammar is just fine.”
“Thanks.”
“Thanks for letting me stay last night, by the way.”
“I’m sorry if the couch was uncomfortable. But you had one drink too many.”
“Did I insist on driving?” I asked, knowing what a stubborn dick I could be when drunk.
“You did, but we managed to stop you.”
I shook my head. “After you went to bed, Josh brought out the bourbon, and with everything that happened last night, I couldn’t resist.”
“That’s understandable.” Miranda pointed. “Turn left here. It’s that building over there.”
After we dropped off Ava, I headed for the boardwalk and parked my car in the first spot I found.
“Where are we going?” asked Miranda
“It’s nine thirty. Time for breakfast.”
“But I’m supposed to be at work. I’m already late, and Britney will be …”
“Relax. I’m the boss.” I pulled out my cell phone, noting that I had a few missed calls from Britney. “I’m just about to call her now.”
Miranda’s frown remained. “But if she knows we’re together here, she’ll think …”
“It’s none of her business.” I dialed Britney.
“There you are,” she said.
“What’s so urgent?”
“We’re being visited by the SEC today.”
The throbbing in my temples intensified. “Should I be worried?”
Her long pause answered that.
“I’ll be there in an hour. I want you to sit down and explain to me what the fuck is going on. Okay?”
“The new girl’s not here. I’m not happy about that.”
“She’s with me right now. I stayed at her place last night.”
Miranda turned to look at me. Her lips parted, and she blinked rapidly.
“I didn’t think she’d be your type,” Britney said.
I ignored her comment. “We were involved in a car chase. Some creep followed me all the way to Venice. I had to