Page 18 of Denial
An unrefined snort slips from me.
Sutton and Francine both openly appraise me.
“Sorry, I think I swallowed a bug.” I make a show of patting my chest with a fist.
“Good morning, Sutton.” Francine sways in his direction. “Have you met my new neighbor, Alice?”
Sutton’s unreadable gaze locks on mine. The color a piercing shade of blue. “I have.”
Francine claps her hands together in front of her chest. “Did you know she doesn’t have a man in her life?”
“Somehow that’s not the most shocking thing I’ve heard about her,” Sutton replies, his tone dry.
I smirk.
Francine goes on, oblivious to the staring contest playing out in front of her. “Officer Stone is also single. He’s been raising the sweetest little girl by himself, and doing a fine job.”
“So I’ve been told,” I reply.
Francine’s gaze ping-pongs between the two of us. As the silence stretches, her eager expression becomes exasperated. “If the two of you would like to get to know one another, I’m happy to babysit at any time.”
Sutton’s jaw drops with what I’m sure is another sarcastic remark destined to convey his near-zero lack of interest.
“I think we got to know each other pretty well last night, didn’t we, Sutton?” I lean conspiratorially toward Francine. “He even let me try on his handcuffs.”
Her gasp lets me know I landed exactly where I’d hoped. A grin spreads across her cheeks while Sutton fixes his gaze over my head, ignoring the way his skin blushes.
“I’m going to put these inside. Be right back.” I lift the pan of brownies.
Something light and airy propels me inside. The screen door bangs shut, and I finally release a giggle. “That was fun,” I say to myself.
I take my time placing the treats into the empty refrigerator and give the two of them time to clear any misconceptions before my return. I check my app monitoring my glucose, having already decided I’m going to have to taste one of those brownies. I’m in range, sitting at 127 and steady. I estimate the amount ofcarbs using a standard recipe and set up an extended bolus to deliver insulin half now and half in a couple of hours.
With that done, I hover beside the door. I need to gather my wits for whatever brings Sutton to my house not even a full day after we met.
It’s possible he has put his foot down and changed his mind about letting me be his nanny. I couldn’t entirely fault him. A full night’s sleep can do wonders for clarity, and hiring the woman you arrested that afternoon is a little bit crazy. Even if the reason for the arrest is a glorified misunderstanding.
It’s not like I committed a felony. Though I can’t say the same for those I share blood with, I like to think I’m still a good person.
I swing open the storm door just as Francine waves goodbye.
“I’ll stop by again once you’re more settled.”
“It was nice meeting you!” I call after her with a wave. I turn to Sutton, who’s watching the exchange with dipped brows and a frown on his lips. “Would you like to come in?”
He nods and catches the edge of the screen door in his large hand.
I note the absence of any sharp barbs. Of any words at all. Interesting, considering he had plenty to say yesterday.
His footsteps trail me inside, followed by the slam of the screen door.
“I’m going to have to get that pneumatic thingy replaced if it keeps banging like that.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage.”
I continue unruffled. “Table or couch?” The question sounds more suggestive than I intended.
He plants his feet and crosses his arms over his broad chest, a pillar of unmovable force blocking my exit. “I’ll stand.”
