Page 20 of Last Fall

6

Zoe

Unicorns and Other MagicalThings

“Why are you frowning?”June, asked under herbreath.

“Thinking.” It wasn’t a lie. I was definitelythinking.

“Well stop. You’re going to freak outthekids.”

My frown must be epic to get a comment like that. A dozen kids ran back and forth from our house to the house next door through the clubhouse slide situated over the fence. I usually loved being taken in by the Daniels sisters and their magical families, but on party days I wanted to throw our friendship out the window in favor of hiding in the deepest, darkest cave Icouldfind.

Because good god could Erik be any hotter? I needed six months before seeing him again. Instead I gotsevendays.

And now here he stood a mere ten yards away, manning the water balloon table. Water balloons that were supposed to be for the kids, mind you. But every time they lost interest, Erik somehow managed to lob a few at histeammates.

Boyish charm.That’s what my current heroine, Jessica, would sayabouthim.

“He’s so good with the kids,” June giggled, following my line of sight right to the man inquestion.

“Are you referring to the ballplayers or theactualchildren?”

“Both. They call him Bear in the locker room. Like Father Bear. He mentors all of them. Plus he’s fucking scary when he’s pissed off. You know, like a bear.” She held up her hands like claws andgrowled.

And that right there was the bucket of cold water I needed. Boyish charm and sweet demeanor were great but there was no way I was going anywhere near a guy with angerissues.

Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt.

I had a plan. Own up to the kiss. It was a good kiss. Kisses happen from time to time but they’re a one-time thing. I could appreciate it, even thank him for the good time, and go back to focusing on all the crazy and important things happening in my liferightnow.

None of which included being distracted by biceps anddimples.

I shrugged off June’s comment right before getting plowed into by a ferocious five-year-old bundle. I swept Max up into my arms and popped her on my hip as if she were still the toddler I first nannied when I movedtotown.

“Base, base, base!” she shrieked at the pack of little girls charging our way with water balloons ineachhand.

A sliver of dread slid down my spine. “Oh no. Don’tyoudare!”

Too late. They released all the water balloons on us at once. I threw my arm up over my eyes, expecting a second round but instead the girls’ shrieks pierced the air as they ran away. When I peeked out I saw Erik lobbing balloons at the girls as they ran back toEve’syard.

“Sorry Zoe,” Max mumbled. “I didn’t mean to get youallwet.”

I wasn’t wet. Oh no. I wasdrenchedfrom head to toe. But it was a pool party so it wasn’t unexpected. That was why I was wearing a lightweight sport top and shorts over my bathing suit. In this intense Florida heat I’d be dry in tenminutes.Tops.

“It’s okay, baby girl.” I set her down and patted the top of her head. “Gohavefun.”

She grinned upatme.

“Here,” Erik chuckled, handing Max a bucket of water balloons. “Hit ‘em when they aren’tlooking.”

Her grin widened as she took the bucket. “ThanksUncleErik!”

He laughed as she took off, then he handed me a towel. “She’s such asteamroller.”

“You have no idea,” June laughed. “I’m like a puddle of mush when she gets going. I don’t know if that makes me the perfect aunt or theworst.”

“You’re the aunt,” I said. “You get to be all mushy and fun. It’smyjob to lay down the law.” Although it wasn’t really my job much anymore. I still stepped in to help when they needed a hand and of course June and I both loved having the girls over for babysitting nights. I guess in a way I was more of an aunt than theirnanny.