never ever mess around with Dad. I see the way every woman in the world looks at him. I hate hearing people call him the single senator. We’re best friends, right?” She asked, zipping her bag up.
“Um, hell yes we’re best friends. What have we been doing all month? I thought this was already established.”
“We are!” She smiled. “Okay so promise me you won’t be like every other woman in the world and go all crazy over my father.”
“I promise,” I said, placing my hand over my heart. Even if I did fuck Evander, I knew going crazy was out of the question. I’d never get sprung over mediocre dick.
“Good.” She tossed her bag across her body and walked to the doorway.
“Don’t go down there looking like you were crying. Never let them see you cry, Frank. You’re too tough for that shit.”
“I’m sensitive. I can’t help it.” She shrugged her shoulders and I smiled a little. I walked over to her dresser and picked up the jade skin roller.
“Let me de-puff under your eyes.” I rolled it under her eyes and over her eyelids then moved to her cheeks. I repeated it a few times the pulled back. It didn’t take all the redness away but it helped. “When you come home, I’ll do your makeup.”
“You will?” She squeaked, clapping her hands together.
“Yes, but it stays between us. When we have our next sleepover, I’ll give you a full beat. Lashes and all.” I touched the tip of her nose and she gave me the prettiest warm smile.
We went downstairs and I hoped I’d given Frankie enough strength to deal with her unstable mother. Evander looked at me then at Frankie. His eyes absorbed her as he checked to see if she’d been crying. “You okay, kiddo?” he quizzed.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are we all gonna talk or is it time to go?” She asked her mother.
“We can talk.” Alexis’s demeanor had done a complete 180 after Evander laid her out.
“Good,” Frankie hung her bag on the back of a chair then had a seat.
“What do you want to say, sweetheart?” Evander asked, clasping his hands on the countertop.
“Mom, I want you to sign the pickup papers so Xari can drop me off and pick me up from school. Also, I want you to stop being difficult about her being my nanny. I love her. She’s so cool.”
“You love her,” Alexis scoffed.
“Let her talk,” Evander grumbled.
“That’s all,” Frankie said.
“Well, Frankie if Miss Lucas will accept, I’m proud to offer her the job permanently,” Evander said quietly. I tried not to smile too big and bright but I couldn’t help letting a little grin cross my face.
“Of course,” I said.
“Good. I’m happy to have you on board.” His buttoned-up tone was back.
“I’ve been on board,” I said, crossing my legs under the table.
“Now you’re official. There’s a difference.” He pinned me with his gaze.
“Is there?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow. The energy between us crackled to life, charging the air.
“I just told you there was. Stop being difficult.”
I eyed him for a few quiet beats then bit the side of my lip.
“I still don’t feel comfortable with her being around you, Frankie.” Alexis refused to look at me. She focused all her attention on Frankie. She stroked her knuckles. “You know I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
“I am safe and if you don’t sign those papers, I’m not going to your house every other weekend.” I had to do a double-take. Did that come out of Francesca Freeman’s mouth?
“What?” Alexis damn near choked. Her eyes were wide with awe before she narrowed them. “You’re giving me an ultimatum over this woman? Are you serious right now, Francesca?”
“Yes.” Frankie’s voice was small but strong. I was beyond proud.
“Well, you heard the girl.” Evander pushed the papers toward Alexis then dropped a pen at her fingertips. The silence in that kitchen was stretched so thin it would shatter under the next inhale.
Alexis’s throat dipped when she swallowed. Several tense seconds ticked by before she growled and picked up the pen, signing the papers for Frankie’s school.
“Thank you, Alexis. Now maybe you can accept the fact that Miss Lucas is Frankie’s nanny. She’s perfectly capable of handling our daughter. They already get along famously and since Miss Lucas has been with us, I’ve noticed Frankie coming out of her shell in a good way.” He paused for a few seconds and looked at each one of us.