Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(34)

I hold up a hand to stop him. “Back the bus up, Gavin. I’m watching Peyton as a favor. Chad isn’t a strange man. He’s my boyfriend.”

“Does he live here? With you?”

“No. Not yet, anyway.” I don’t get what this has to do with anything, or why he’s suddenly grilling me like he has a right.

“Yet?” Gavin’s brows lift.

“What is this about? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that my boyfriend was going to be here, but since I’m the one doing you a favor, I don’t really think you have much of a right to get upset about that. Next time maybe you should ask more questions.” The only time I’ve seen this side of Gavin was back when Peyton was a baby and I’d invited one of the nannies from the park over for lunch without clearing it with him first. I realized my error after the fact. It was his house; he didn’t know them. But this isn’t remotely the same.

This time Gavin holds up his hands, both of them, in submission. “I’m sorry. It just … took me by surprise. That’s all. You’re right, I should have asked more questions. I didn’t expect there to be anyone else here.”

I cross my arms. “Don’t you trust my judgment? Chad’s harmless.”

“I’m sure he is. I don’t typically leave my daughter with people I don’t know and haven’t met before.”

“You left her with me, and unless I’m wrong, you trust me with her. Shouldn’t my judgment of character count for something?” I’m frustrated about this. What do they say about no good deed?

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I know you’re a good judge of character. You should have said something if I was interfering with your date night.”

“I wasn’t going to let Peyton down like that, and I wanted to see her.” And I hadn’t thought it would interfere much with date night. But I don’t say that out loud.

“Which I appreciate. But you clearly have a life of your own, and I don’t want to get in the middle of that.” He exhales heavily and rubs the back of his neck. “I should get Peyton home. She has an early morning.”

“Let me help you get her down to the car.” I gather up her things, and he carefully picks her up from the chair, murmuring to Chad that it was nice to meet him. I help him get her down to the car, impressed that she’s still mostly asleep by the time we get her buckled in.

“Thanks again. I really appreciate you letting us interrupt your night, Harley. I owe you, and I’m sorry about how I reacted up there. I know you would never put Peyton in a dangerous position.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Tell Chet I’m sorry for crashing your date night.”

“His name is Chad, and it wasn’t a big deal. We were just hanging out.”

We say good night, and he gets in the car and drives off. I stand there for a few seconds, watching his taillights disappear down the street before I turn around and head back inside. I don’t know how to feel about how he reacted to Chad. I don’t know what would be worse, Declan and Jackson being right that he’s interested in more than my babysitting skills, or that he could be taking advantage of my kindness like London said.

When I get back up to the apartment, Chad is sitting on the couch with his arms crossed. “Want to tell me what that was all about?”

“What exactly are you referring to?” I don’t know why I’m playing dumb, other than I’d like to avoid an argument. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, but for some reason I feel guilty.

“What am I referring to? Are you kidding?” He gives me a disbelieving look.

“You’re going to have to give me a little more to go on here.” Guess I’m committed to pretending I don’t know what he’s talking about.

He huffs and shakes his head. “How old is that guy? He’s gotta have a decade on you.”

“Gavin? Mid-thirties maybe? What does that have to do with anything?” I don’t like the hot feeling creeping up my spine.

“What does that—” He clamps his mouth shut. “How old were you when you were his nanny? Nineteen?”

“I was close to twenty when I started taking care of Peyton. I don’t understand what my age when I took care of her has to do with anything.”

“Babe, I know you’re a Disney-loving woman, and most of the time I think it’s pretty cute, but you can’t be this naive.”

I throw my hands in the air. “Naive about what?”

“That guy has the hots for you. You didn’t see the look on his face when he walked into the room and saw me sitting here.” He pokes himself in the chest. “I did. He was not happy. He looked at me like he was sizing up his competition.”

“He didn’t know you were here, and he’s never met you before. He’s the father of a little girl. He was wary about having a guy he didn’t know around his daughter.” But the pit in my stomach opens up, and I have to wonder if I’m the last one to see what’s been happening here and whether I even want to deal with whatever that is.

He holds his arms out. “Have you never mentioned me? He looked pretty shocked about my presence in general.”

“Of course I’ve mentioned you!” I say, but there’s a squeak in my voice, and I don’t know if that’s actually true at this point, because Chad is right, Gavin was definitely surprised.