Start a War (Saint View Psychos #1)(14)

There wouldn’t be a repeat of that.

“Would you like to come inside?” I asked stiffly. “I’m Bethany-Melissa.” I unlocked the gate for him and stepped aside, flattening myself against it so he could get by me without actually touching me.

Vincent cocked his head. “You aren’t the woman I spoke with on the phone.”

I let my gaze fix on the shrubbery just over his left shoulder, rather than on his handsome face. “No. That would have been the center’s owner and director, Josie. She’s unavailable this morning, unfortunately, so I’ll be conducting your interview.”

“Very well, then. Should we go inside?”

“Please. After you.”

Vincent nodded and stepped into the center, while I quickly locked the gate again. He waited for me just inside the door. A slight smile had formed at the corner of his mouth as he surveyed the busy room full of noisy kids. Sarah called out a welcome greeting from the back of the room, but she had her hands full with the painting table.

Vincent glanced over at me. “Is it just the two of you taking care of all these children?”

I nodded. “We’re a little short-staffed. Which is hopefully where you come in. We really need a new staff member. Do you want to come through to the office and we’ll start the interview?”

Kellan ran from the other side of the room, a Spider-Man figurine clutched in his hand. “Hey, Bethy! Spider-Man can fly!” Kellan launched himself at me but tripped on the leg of a little chair in the process. He stumbled forward, careening straight for the floor.

On instinct, I reached to steady him, but Vincent’s reflexes were quicker. He caught Kellan by the back of his shirt and hoisted him up into the air so his nose didn’t smash into the floor. Gently, he put the boy back down on his feet with a soft smile. “Looks like you tried to outdo Spider-Man with your jumping skills. You landed it too, right on your feet. Well done.”

Kellan grinned, despite the fact he’d nearly just face-planted, and shoved the figurine toward Vincent. “He can jump right up on the roof! Do you like Spider-Man, mister?”

Vincent crouched so he and Kellan were the same height. “Yes. I do. I have another little friend—his name is Ripley—who likes Spider-Man, so I watched all the movies and read all the comics.”

“My mom said I’m only allowed to watch the cartoon. You want to play Spider-Man with me?”

Vincent glanced up at me from the floor, though his words were directed at Kellan. “I do. But I’m not sure if I’m allowed to.”

I’d never interviewed someone for a daycare position before, but despite the fact I’d had a formal, sit-down interview when I’d applied for the job here, I couldn’t think of a better way of getting to know someone than watching them interact with a child.

I pointed to a table. “How about we do the interview out here? You and Kellan can play Spider-Man, and maybe, once you’ve defeated the baddies, we can talk through any questions you might have.”

Vincent nodded and went to the closest empty table, dragging a chair out. Kellan went to sit in it, but Vincent gently put his hand on the little boy’s shoulder. “Wait a moment. We always pull seats out for ladies first.”

Kellan stared up at him, his fair eyebrows pulled together in confusion, but Vincent guided him behind the chair, helping Kellan place his chubby hands on the backrest to hold it for me.

I couldn’t help but smile at the sweet, old-fashioned gesture. It wasn’t something I would have ever expected, or even thought to teach the kids, but I had to admit, it was kind of nice.

I smiled at Kellan. “Well, thank you, sweet sir. What a gentleman you are.”

Vincent and Kellan both beamed at me.

“Now do we sit?” Kellan whisper-shouted at Vincent.

I covered a giggle while Vincent pulled a second chair out for Kellan. “Yes, little friend. Now we sit. Let’s find out what Spider-Man is up to today. Perhaps he has some citizens who require saving?” Vincent took some Barbie dolls from a set of labeled drawers behind him and placed them on the table.

Kellan’s big round eyes turned squinty. “Citizens?”

“People,” I interpreted for him.

“Oh. Why didn’t you say so? Spider-Man to the rescue!”

Kellan crashed his figurine with the Barbies, and Vincent found some other toys to add to the game. Within minutes, the two of them drew the attention of several other kids, until Vincent led a full table in a make-believe, role-playing game. He guided their creativity and encouraged their ideas, no matter how crazy they were. I gave up on the notion of actually asking him any formal questions and just sat back to watch.

Sarah swung by on her way to the baby changing table and leaned down to murmur in my ear, “He’s good.”

I nodded.

Everything was going well, and I was pleased that I could confidently tell Josie that Vincent would be a great addition to the team.

A sob suddenly formed in my throat out of nowhere. And a rush of emotion sent water welling in my eyes.

No. No, no, no. I’d promised myself this morning that I wasn’t going to bring last night to work. I couldn’t think about it here. I’d been actively pushing it out of my brain all morning, and succeeding, but I’d let my guard down, watching Vincent with the kids.

I’d stopped fighting it for one moment, and that was all the trauma needed to worm its way through my defenses.