Make Me Yours(11)

Yes, my mom is in my head.

Back to my hot boss… I can’t believe he’s lived here four years. Granted, I don’t make it to church every single Sunday, but hell, I must be sleeping through a lot of sermons. Maybe he misses the Sundays I’m here and vice versa. Yes, that has to be what happens.

His head is turned to the side, and I admire his square jaw as he listens politely to Pastor Hibbert talking about helping others. A few natural highlights are right at the tips of his brown hair. I didn’t notice it in the bar last night, and I bet as soon as he gets a haircut, they’ll be gone. The thought makes me sad.

I tune in for a second, and the verse is about some deaconess who helped the apostles. Finally, the pastor tells us to close our eyes and ask God to help us see people in the community who need a little time, a little friendship, a little faith.

Clearly, this is a direct sign God wants me to accept the job working with Remi. I was meant to see he needs help and offer to give it to him. Mission accepted, God.

The Amens ring out, and we’re on our feet, headed to the door as the organ plays the Doxology. Once we’re outside, I linger on the front lawn, wondering if Remi might want to chat while we’re all here together.

“What are you waiting for?” Ma stops her progress toward the parking lot and walks back to where I stand.

“I’m meeting someone… Do you know Remington Key?”

“Remington?” Her head cocks to the side like a bird.

“Um.. yeah. I’ll explain later.” I don’t really want to go into the details with her. No telling what she’ll say when she hears I’m moving into his house and how much he’s paying me.

Anyway, here he comes, and my heart beats faster. Why the hell am I nervous? I don’t know.

“Thanks for waiting.” He walks quickly to where I’m standing, and thankfully Ma falls silent.

“Hi.” I feel like I’m smiling too big, so I clear my throat and glance down at my black platform shoes. I’m so glad I wore them, since he’s tall. “I thought I might hang around and meet Lillie.”

“Eleanor went to get her from Sunday school.” He reaches up to rub the back of his neck while he looks toward the building running parallel to the sanctuary, and I can almost see that bicep flexing in his arm. “I guess that’s something you could do. If you still want the job, I mean.”

I glance across the lawn at the dozens of children, from toddlers to elementary school-age kids, running out the doors of the other building to meet their parents.

More nerves flutter in my insides. Am I really doing this?

Fifteen thousand dollars, Ruby.

Yes, I am.

“I can do that.” I don’t want to make it seem like I’m not worth it. “It’ll be one of my many tasks.”

Those golden-hazel eyes meet mine, and the flutters turn to butterflies. His eyes graze over my white lace blouse, and I swear I can feel them touching my skin. It’s like he’s undressing me, but carefully, delicately…

It’s fucking hot.

What? We’re on the church lawn.

Blinking away, he pulls a long, white envelope from his breast pocket. “I took some time this morning to write up the contract. You can look over it and bring it back this evening. Once you’ve decided.”

“Sure.” I take it from him and slip it into my bag. “I’m about a hundred percent decided.”

Or fifteen thousand percent.

At last Eleanor emerges holding a little girl’s hand. As soon as she sees us, she tosses her grandmother’s hand aside and takes off running toward her dad.

Light brown pigtails bounce around her shoulders, and she’s wearing a cute green dress with a navy bow and a white collar. She has a little white cardigan on top, and when she reaches Remi, she jumps.

He lifts her to his chest almost as if it were choreographed, and she throws her arms around his neck. “I made you a picture, Daddy, but Gigi said she has to hold it because it’s all wet.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” He kisses her cheek, and I swear to God, my insides are just all mush at the cuteness overload… and possibly a teensy bit envious.

I can’t imagine doing what she just did with my dad.

Not that I care anymore, of course.

“I want you to meet someone.” Remi turns to me, and I see how much they look alike. Her hair is lighter than his, but they have the same eyes, the same cute dimple in their cheeks. “Lillie, I’d like you to meet Miss Ruby Banks.”

She squirms forward, and I totally remember meeting them six months ago. Holy shit. She was squirming all over him, and I took one look and looked the other way. I could kick myself in the pants. Whatever. We’re here now.

“How do you do, Miss Ruby Banks?” Lillie holds out her little hand, and I squat down to her level to take it.

“Very well, thank you.” I shake her hand, and we both smile. “You’re very polite.”

“My Gigi said good manners show people you care.”

My eyebrows rise, and I glance up at her father. Remi shrugs.

“You’re very smart, too. I bet you make good grades in school.”

The little girl nods. “I do. You’re pretty.” Lillie looks up at her dad. “Is Ruby coming over for a playdate?”

“Ruby might be coming over to stay with us. If that’s okay with you.” He lifts the little girl to his hip again just as Eleanor reaches us.