Page 83 of Nine Week Nanny

"Ms. Melia said we could vote," Lennon explains seriously. "Those names won."

I'm surprised they didn't name them Bruce and Wayne.

I lean closer, finally spotting the baby turtles. Each of them is barely larger than a quarter, paddling through the water.

"See how their shells have those little lines?" Lennon points, his finger carefully not touching the glass. "That's how you know they're red-eared sliders."

"And look at their feet!" Micah adds. "They have tiny claws for digging!"

I rest my elbows on the table, settling in. "They are pretty cute. Tell me more."

Dr. Maya approaches, clipboard in hand, her long braid swinging behind her. "Good afternoon, boys. We're setting up the microscopes now."

They dash off without a backward glance.

"They're doing wonderfully together," Dr. Maya says. "Lennon actually initiated a group discussion yesterday about tide patterns. First time he's volunteered anything."

My body warms with pride. "That's huge. He's been through so much."

"And yet, he's finding his footing. Whatever you're doing at home is working."

If she only knew what I was actually doing at home. Heat creeps up my neck.

"Thanks. I should get going. See you at pickup."

Back in the SUV, I check my phone. Another missed call from Maris. Guilt twists in my stomach. I've been avoiding her texts since the other night.

I don't even know what to say to her. We haven't spoken since Pope and I slept together.

My finger hovers over her name. I can't keep dodging her. She'll know something's wrong.

Sighing, I press call.

"Finally!" Maris answers immediately. "I was starting to worry you'd been kidnapped."

"Sorry, things have been crazy getting Lennon ready for his hearing tomorrow."

Not technically a lie, but definitely not why I've been MIA.

"The custody thing? That came up fast."

"Yeah. I'm not sure if it is the big one, but I know they are meeting with the Guardian ad litem. They're flying to Jacksonville in the morning."

“Are you going?"

I adjust the air conditioning vent, suddenly too warm. "They don't need me there. It's just procedural stuff."

"That's good Pope's feels comfortable handling Lennon by himself," Maris says. "Shows how much he's grown into this guardian role."

"He really has." The image of Pope patiently helping Lennon take apart some stuck Legos flashes in my mind, followed quickly by Pope's hands on my bare skin in the pool. I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing the thought away.

"So..." Maris stretches the word out. "Things have calmed down in that department? No more awkward tension with your hot boss?"

"Totally calmed down." My voice rises slightly. "We've gotten into a good rhythm."

It's not lying if I'm just being selective, right? We have found a rhythm, all right. It's just not the professional one Maris is asking about.

"That's good to hear. I know that must have been stressful."