Page 14 of Falling for Her

Maggie comes out of her side of the SUV and looks at me, then her eyes go over my shoulder to Finley. Her eyebrows rise.

“Dad,” Asa calls, running to hug me around my waist. His caramel eyes are a mirror of my own, and I smile at him before bending to kiss the top of his head. “You got taller in a day. I have to bend less,” I tell him, and he snorts. “You got your things?” He nods.

“Thanks for taking him,” Maggie says to me, but her eyes keep going to Finley. “Is that your—” She points to Finley.

“That would be the new nanny,” I inform her. “Asa,” I look down at him, “meet Ms. Finley.”

She smiles at him and holds out her hand. “Asa, I’ve heard so many good things about you and so many stories from your dad.”

My mouth opens at this because we literally didn’t even talk about him.

“You did?” He enthusiastically shakes her hand. “Did he say I was cool?”

She pffts. “He said you were way cooler than he was⁠—”

“Hi,” Maggie cuts in to the conversation. “I’m Maggie. I’m Asa’s mom.”

Finley looks at her, and I can see right away she’s put on a different persona than she had with me; it’s written all over her face. “Hi, Maggie,” she says, her tone dripping with professionalism, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.” They shake hands.

“So, how long have you been a nanny?” My neck goes tight because Maggie is asking her questions like this instead of trusting me with picking someone.

“Oh, years,” Finley replies.

“Okay, I didn’t eat yet, did you?” I say and look at Asa, who nods his head.

“I could eat again,” he states.

I laugh, putting my hands on his shoulders. “Shocking,” I retort. “Do you want me to drop him off before I go to the station?” I ask Maggie.

“Yeah, that should be fine.” Her eyes go to Finley again, as if she wants to say something else.

“Let’s go inside,” I say to Asa, motioning with my head. “You and Ms. Finley can get to know each other.”

“Cool.” He looks up at Finley. “Did you see my room yet?”

“I did not,” she answers. “Your dad was showing me my room first. Have you seen my room?” He shakes his head. “It’s cool.” I notice she uses the word he just used. “Want to check it out first?” Asa runs ahead of her. She smiles at Maggie. “It was nice to meet you,” she says before turning around and heading into her apartment.

“How old is she?” Maggie asks right away.

“Not sure. Pretty sure it’s discriminatory to ask someone their age,” I reply, running out of patience. “I’ll drop him off tomorrow on my way to the station.”

“Is she even old enough to take care of a child, being one herself?” she huffs out. “Does she even have experience?” When she sees that I’m not giving anything to her, she rolls her eyes. “Fine,” she snaps, turning and storming away from me.

I stop watching her when the apartment door opens, and Asa runs out. “I’m going to go pick up my things in my room.” He speeds by me and into the house. I chuckle at him as Finley follows, closing the door behind her.

“Soo,” she drawls, “that’s the ex-wife?” She watches Maggie’s SUV driving away.

“Yup.” I let out a heavy sigh.

“She’s pretty.” She folds her arms over her chest.

“Yup,” I agree.

“She’s also a bitch.” I look over at her. “The walls are not soundproof.” She takes a deep inhale. “I’m twenty-seven, by the way. So I’ve been out of high school a while.”

“Good to know. Do you want to stay and eat?”

“No, but I’m going to because if she comes back, I want her to know she didn’t run me off.”