The Rules of Dating(90)

I put the phone in my pocket and headed back out to where the man was still standing by the door.

“Sorry… She wanted me to read her a story,” I said.

He crossed his arms. “So, how long have you worked here?”

“I don’t recall exactly when I started, but it’s been a while now.”

“Years or…”

“Months,” I answered.

His eyes wandered down to my chest and back up. Lovely. A perv in disguise.

He cleared his throat. “Do you mind if I ask you some questions about the household?”

If I refused, would that only add suspicion to the whole situation? “Sure…” I forced a smile.

“What’s it like to work here?”

“Oh, I love it. Saylor is the sweetest. And Colby and Maya are great parents. They mainly call me over when they need a break. I’m not the main nanny or anything. Just an occasional babysitter.”

“What do you know about their relationship?”

“They’re very loving toward each other. But given that I’m mainly here with Saylor, I can’t say I spend a lot of time with them.”

Richard scratched his chin. “I suppose that’s a good point.”

“Their lives aren’t really any of my business,” I added.

He wrote something down. “Where did they go today?”

“I don’t typically ask them where they’re going. But it was a day-date…for leisure.”

He arched a brow. “You said it’s okay if I wait for them to return?”

“Sure. I don’t mind,” I said, feigning a lax attitude. “Can I get you anything to drink? A juice box? Some Goldfish?”

He laughed. “I’m good, thanks. Although if my ten-year-old were here, he’d be champing at the bit for some Goldfish.”

Richard began wandering the space. There weren’t any photos out. Nothing incriminating one way or the other that I could see. I prayed he didn’t ask to go into Colby’s bedroom. When he finally stopped walking around and took a seat on the couch, I used the opportunity to go check on Saylor.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to check on her again—make sure she’s okay and doesn’t need anything.”

“Go right on ahead.” He smiled.

I slowly opened her bedroom door and closed it behind me. “How’s it going, Saylor?”

She waved her little hand. “Hi.”

She was being so good, with her dolls seated at the little table. I wanted to cry. Such an innocent scene in the midst of this horrid drama.

She looked so proud. “We’re having a tea party.”

“Wow. I can see that. What a nice spread you have set up.”

“Can I come out now?”

My heart felt like it was breaking. “No, honey. Not yet. I just wanted to check on you and let you know I really appreciate you being such a good girl. If you need anything, just yell for me, okay?”

Her tone was morose. “Okay.”

I fucking hate this.

A few seconds after I returned to the living room, the front door opened and Colby walked in—with Maya. As much as I hated having to see her, I breathed out a sigh of relief.

Maya promptly put her arm around him. And now I felt like I was going to be sick.

“What’s going on here? Can I help you?” Colby asked the guy, playing dumb.

I answered before Richard could get the words out. “Mr. Lennon, this is Officer Richard Weber with Immigration? I told him he could wait here for you guys.”

“I’m just here for a routine visit,” the officer said. “I was hoping we could talk for a bit.”

“Of course.” Maya put on her best fake smile. She then turned to me. “How’s Saylor feeling?”

“She’s still not feeling great. But no worse than when you left.”

She pouted. “Poor baby.”

I shot quick daggers at Maya. Hopefully the man didn’t notice.

“Where were you two coming from?” he asked them.

“We just had a little mommy-and-daddy time,” Colby answered. He looked over at me. “Since she was nice enough to babysit for us.”

“We went to a movie and lunch,” Maya added.

Richard tilted his head curiously. “What movie did you see?”

“The new Tom Cruise one,” she said.

“Ah, yes. I saw it last weekend. It was very good.” He turned to Colby. “What was your favorite part?”

Colby scratched his chin. “That’s a tough one. I really like the whole dynamic between Goose’s son, Rooster, and Maverick.”

“Oh yeah. I loved that whole plotline.” He smiled, seeming to buy it.

Maya clung to Colby tighter. “We don’t get to the movies very often, so it was nice.”

My blood felt ready to boil.

“I have a ten-year-old, so I can relate to the need to get out.” Richard nodded.

Colby must have noticed my eyes fixed on Maya’s arm around him. I suspected he wanted to put me out of my misery. “Do you mind looking after Saylor while we talk to Officer Weber in private?” he asked me.

“Of course not.” I thumbed back toward her bedroom. “I’ll just go join her.”