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Collapsing onto the bed, I grumbled to myself as I reached for my phone.

Visiting my family was exhausting, and I hated it. I loved them, deep down, but they were all so lost in their own worlds that they didn’t seem to care about me anymore, only what I could do for them.

There was a message from Jensen. Sitting up straighter, I opened it and broke into a smile. It was a photo of Joey and Jensen, cutting up a bell pepper. Along with the photo was a text.

Jensen:

She decided she wanted to try peppers. I think you are officially a sorceress!

Beth:

Pizza is the way to all girls’ hearts!

Jensen:

Including yours?

Beth:

I would do some downright despicable things for a good margherita pizza after a long day at the rink.

Jensen:

I’ll have to remember to feed you the next time you babysit Joey after the rink.

Jensen:

Shit, sorry. That was presumptuous. You helped us out once, and we are so, so grateful that I let my wishful thinking get away from me.

Beth:

Don’t apologize. I’ll happily look after Joey again. She’s amazing, but you will have to restrain Cullen. He grossly overpaid me and refused to take no for an answer.

Jensen:

Joey was safe, was well fed, AND tried peppers. No monetary compensation is enough.

I frowned at that. Cullen had shoved a wad of cash at me as he dropped me off. I had taken it, thinking it was just a small amount for the easiest babysitting job ever, but when I returned to my place and counted out the five hundred dollars he had given me, I almost had a heart attack.

Could I really accept so much money from them for a second time? I felt guilty doing it the first time. Part of me had wanted to march outside and shove the money back at Cullen and tell him off…but I had bills, and a lot of them.

Jensen:

Look, the ball’s in your court. You can look after Joey as much as you want. I know you’re busy.

Beth:

*sigh* I’ll probably take you up on that. Joey is such a sweet kid.

Jensen:

She’s amazing, isn’t she? I don’t know how three idiots like us managed to make such a sweet child.

Beth:

She is so sweet, but just wait until she’s a teenager!

Jensen: