Page 103 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
Magnolia gets up with a grumble, strides over to the front window, and peers through the curtains. “Funny, but I don’t see your name on the street, Michael.” She says his name so sharply, it feels like a dagger. “Did you buy it recently, and I didn’t know? Hmm? I didn’t think so.”
Amelia’s head jerks as she looks to Olly. “Your name is Michael?”
His nostrils flare. “You really don’t know my name?”
Amelia laughs and flips her hair. “I assumed Olly was short for Oliver. It’s not a terribly attractive first name, but I was trying to be polite, so I didn’t say anything.”
What is going on right now? I look to Ben, who shrugs sleepily, so I ask, “Olly, how do you know Magnolia?”
He’s so busy glaring at our new babysitter, I don’t think he hears me. Magnolia talks between her teeth. “We’ve had a few classes together over the years.”
After a moment of fierce glares, Amelia snaps in Olly’s face. “This was fun, but I’m hungry. Thai food. Now.”
The second the front door closes behind them, Magnolia pivots toward me with a smile. “I’m available starting Wednesday. As long as Michael Oliver stays on his side of the street.”
I don’t know how she knows he lives across the street, and I don’t ask. All I care about is that she’ll make a great babysitter. Her reciprocated animosity toward Olly is unfortunate, but not my problem. I have my own dilemmas.
Starting with the fact that Ben is sound asleep on the couch.
So much for the romantic dinner I planned.
