Page 73 of Buckin' Around

A hint of satisfaction glimmers through his sad expression.

“Oh, Spencer.”

I try to take Ivy from his arms, but his grip on her doesn’t wane.

His gaze is stuck on my face as a million different emotions filter through it.

“You want me to talk to them, say it’s my fault Ivy was here. We can still pull off the cousin stor?—”

“I told him she was mine, Riles.”

“What?”

The pride that swells tangles with the fear of what this means for Spencer. In one day he’s lost his job and told his father he has a daughter. I know now that not owning Ivy was never a pride thing, it was a self-defense mechanism against his tyrannous parents.

“That’s a lot,” I say quietly.

His nod is almost absent-minded.

“Spenc—”

“It’s alright, Riles. I’ll figure something out.” He glances at his watch. “We should get going. I’m betting if I’m still here after five, I’ll be the next one to be escorted off the grounds.”

“Right.”

Now, he hands Ivy over to me. “I have to clear out my office, I’ll see you at home.”

His throat bobs.

Something tightens around my next breath. “You need me to pick up supper?”

“Sure, Riles.”

Feck.

I’ve seen annoyed Spencer.

Arrogant Spencer.

Happy Spencer.

This sadness... feels wrong in so many ways. He may have annoyed the shite out of me when we first met, but the man has grown on me over the last few months. He’s been out of hisdepth and learned how to swim. He’s had his life upturned and figured out how to make things still work.

He may have hired a live-in nanny, but I can’t say I haven’t benefited from that decision. Not only do I have the privilege of caring for Ivy, but I am paid well for it. Generously so.

When Spencer disappears inside, I snuggle Ives. “Let’s go home, little lady. Daddy could use some kindness tonight, so we’ll cheer him up, hey.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the need to look after someone who wasn’t family. The only serious and relatively short relationship I had at nineteen fizzled out when I put my family first. As I should have. We’d lost enough. I wasn’t about to abandon the people I love most.

My thoughts drift to Chlo.

“I know what, Ives, we’ll pick up dinner and FaceTime Aunty Chloe. She’ll love to see you, sweet girl.”

Ivy smiles at me.

Oh shite.

Feck it, where is Spencer when Ivy does this kind of stuff.