Chapter 7 #4
Dilynne glares at me and her lips spread into a mischievous grin. Fuck, I know that grin. That means she’s about to say or do something that’s going to make me want to strangle her. “Laney and I were just trying to convince my brother to let us take you out one night next week.”
“Uh, Dilynne…” Laney taps my sister on the shoulder. “I’m going to be in Charlotte next week, remember?”
Dilynne shrugs. “Fine. Then we can go out just the two of us. But I think it would be fun for you to let loose a bit and enjoy this time away from mounting decisions about your life, you know? Maybe find a man to help you release any tension you’ve been holding onto.”
Elodie looks between me and my sister while the urge to tape Dilynne’s mouth shut grows stronger by the second.
“Sorry again for my comment earlier,” Elliot interjects.
Elodie places her hand on his shoulder, stroking it softly. “I told you. No hard feelings.”
“You hit on her?” Dilynne asks, her lip curling in disgust.
“Don’t fucking worry about me and what I do,” he fires back. “And while we’re at it, stop sending—”
Ellis comes running over at that moment, which cuts off what Elliot was about to say. And I think I can speak for the entire group that we’re thankful—because that means he and my sister won’t be able to verbally spar like they normally do.
I swear, sometimes I think that putting them in boxing gloves and sticking them in a ring together might be the best way for them to take out their aggression on each other.
“Daddy!” Ellis shouts as she jumps up into Rhonan’s arms, looping her arms around his neck. “Grandpa let me drive the tractor and take all of the money from people!”
“It’s a Rhino, Ellis. Not a tractor, remember? And I’m sure you did a great job.”
“Duh.” Ellis rolls her eyes as if she’s already a teenager and not a four-year-old who will turn five next month.
Jesus, is this what I have to look forward to with Remy?
Then, she turns to Elodie. “Who’s that?”
“I’m Elodie.” She offers her hand, and Ellis shakes it like a pro. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Your name rhymes with melody,” Ellis points out, making us all laugh.
“It does.”
“Who is your favorite princess?” Ellis continues, asking the most important question in her mind.
“Disney princess,” Laney clarifies.
“Oh, that’s easy. Ariel.”
“Mine is Elsa,” Ellis replies. “But I like the mermaid too.”
Studying my nanny, I ask, “Why Ariel?”
“Because she gave up her gift for the man she loved. I mean, the whole movie is completely unrealistic, but she was willing to sacrifice her voice to follow her heart. I think that’s pretty brave.”
“My daddy says that girls should never give up anything for a man,” Ellis counters. “That’s why we like Elsa and Anna.”
Rhonan nods proudly. “That’s right.”
“That’s a very valid argument. I think in a movie, it’s romantic. But in real life, it’s not a wise decision.”
“Can I go play on the playground again, Daddy?” Ellis asks Rhonan, already bored with this conversation.
“Yeah. Let’s go.” Rhonan lowers her to the ground and takes her hand. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
Wondering if Remy will love playgrounds when she’s older, I watch them walk away. But after a few seconds, I realize that Dilynne has picked up the conversation that Elliot and Ellis interrupted.
“So, about our girl’s night…”
“I mean, I’d love to. I’d just have to ask my boss for the night off.” Elodie looks up at me and winks.
Fucking hell. The idea of Dilynne going out to a bar with Elodie makes my skin crawl.
But you don’t have a reason to be jealous right, Henley?
“I’m sure he won’t have a problem with it,” my sister says, winking over at me now. “I mean, the last thing he wants to be known as is a demanding boss. And besides, you’re young. You need to have some fun, maybe stay out all night. Taking care of a baby has to be exhausting.”
Elodie reaches for Remy as my daughter reciprocates. Once the baby is safe in her arms, Elodie kisses her on the forehead. “I’m honestly having the best time with this little baby bear.”
“Aw, you call her baby bear?” Laney interjects.
“Yeah. My mom used to call all of the kids that were in her daycare her cubs, so it just felt natural.”
Laney’s hand covers the center of her chest. “That is just too freaking adorable.”
I want to say that I thought so too, but I refrain.
My sister claps her hands together, startling our group. “Well, then it’s settled. We will make plans for next week.” Then she turns to me. “Your nanny is gonna need a night off, big brother. I’m gonna take her out and show her a damn good time.”
“Wonderful,” I mutter between clenched teeth because the calculated grin on my sister’s lips makes me want to throw Elodie over my shoulder and carry her out of here. I could lock her up inside of my house like Rapunzel and never let her leave, that way no other man could hit on her.
Where the fuck did that thought come from?
Laney pouts. “Well, now I’m sad that I’ll miss it.”
“Don’t worry,” Dilynne says, wrapping her arm around Laney’s shoulder. “We’ll plan another night out soon.”
My daughter may not have an aunt for long if my sister doesn’t stop talking.
“You guys could go out when we have our blackjack night next,” Elliot suggests.
“Uh, I kind of need my nanny to watch my daughter so I can go, unless you want to change dirty diapers in between hands,” I explain.
“Have you ever considered letting the girls play during blackjack nights?” Elodie asks.
Elliot and I answer simultaneously. “No.”
Elodie’s mouth drops open. “Why not?”
“Because it’s our manly bonding time,” Elliot retorts. “No girls allowed.”
Dilynne leans forward and stage whispers, “It’s really just because they’re afraid they’re going to lose to a bunch of girls.”
Elodie laughs. “Yeah, probably. I mean, my grandma taught me how to play poker, and I love screwing over an unsuspecting, cocky man when he thinks I’m just an innocent girl who doesn’t understand the game.
” Batting her eyelashes, she pretends to be a damsel in distress, making Laney and Dilynne laugh.
Only the sight makes the corner of my mouth tip up.
Dilynne moves to high-five her. “Hell yes! Call these boys out!”
And in this moment, I know that Elodie fits in just perfectly with our group, which means there’s one less thing for me to worry about.
Now if only I could make this fuzzy feeling I get when I’m around her go away.