Page 10

Xavier

Going to this gala is absolutely the last thing I want to do tonight.

As far as managers go, Murphy has given me more flexibility than most would. But tonight is mandatory for all players and I'm not interested in ending up on his, or the front office's shit list for ditching.

Coincidentally, it's also the perfect opportunity to give Tenley a test run before she watches Holland during games and practices where I'm less accessible.

The doorbell rings, and when I open it and find Tenley, alone, my eyebrows pull together. Vivienne was supposed to come with her and then we were going to ride together. Tenley insisted it was practical since she doesn't have a car. We agreed she'd use one of mine moving forward.

"Look at you, giving off main character energy in that suit. You're a solid seven."

"Seven?"

"With the suit on," she repeats slowly, letting the veiled meaning sink in.

"You remember I'm your boss, right?"

"And you remember the last nanny you had diddled and dipped, right? Would you prefer I had an unhealthy attraction to older baseball players?"

Yeah, that's a fair point--one I can't contest. I look to my side, catching my gaze in the mirror. "It's the dark circles I'm sporting, isn't it?"

"Sure. If that makes you feel better. Where's Holland?"

She flits past me, breezing through the house like she owns it, while I stand in the doorway, confused. "Holland's in the swing, in the living room!" I yell at her back, still standing at the open door. I swing it shut as I move to follow her and figure out what's going on when something stops the door from closing all the way.

"You almost took my toenail off and that definitely would have been strike three."

Vivi's sweet voice sounds lighter and more relaxed than when she usually talks to me. I turn, finding her framed in a halo of light from the setting sun, making her look like an angel standing on my front porch.

I already know she's pretty, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing her in something other than her professional wardrobe. It sucks the air from my lungs, leaving me completely defenseless.

Her dress is black with threads of gold that make it look like it's woven from stars. The bodice clings to her curves, giving her cleavage that makes me weak in the knees, and layers of sheer fabric fall in panels, giving way to a slit that hits high on her thigh.

This dress was made to highlight all the dangers her body poses to my sanity, but it's outmaneuvered by the woman wearing it.

Her dark hair is pinned in an elegant twist, leaving the long column of her throat exposed. Her eyes glitter like emeralds, accentuated by a flick of iridescent green liner. I've never paid this much attention to a woman's makeup before, but I'm mesmerized.

What's even more ridiculous, I can't stop staring at her neck. Her hair is usually down in perfect waves, hiding it from view. Now, with it bared, it feels intimate--like she's inviting me to lean closer, to catch the scent of her shampoo.

I force myself to meet her gaze and open my mouth, but nothing comes out. There's only so long I can stand here gawking before it gets awkward for both of us, so my gaze drifts over her one last time, trailing lazily up her body.

Stepping aside, I gesture for her to come in. With her back to me, I take a steadying breath and lick my lips, ready to try again. Taking a calculated risk, I rest my hand on her lower back, guiding her toward Tenley in the living room. She doesn't slap it away, and that small mercy gives me the courage to speak.

"Vivienne, you look incredible."

She tilts her chin up, curiosity flickering across her face and sending my thoughts into chaos.

"I mean, you always look great, but tonight--wow--you know?" I run a hand through my hair, a habit I've picked up lately, and then quickly drop it, remembering I'm supposed to look presentable tonight, not like an exhausted dad.

She chuckles softly, and I can't even be embarrassed, not even when it's clear she's laughing at me. Because for once, she doesn't look annoyed or like she wants to murder me. Instead, her eyes sparkle with amusement, and I soak up every second of it like a man starved.

"Thanks." She lifts a finger, tracing the outline of my jacket lapel without touching it. "You look . . ." She takes a shaky breath, and I swear I see her shiver before dropping her hand. "You look really nice too, Xavier."

A little flustered by her attention, I smooth a hand over my jaw.

The irritation I'd felt earlier about going, fades. Tonight might not be so bad. For a few hours, I can be something more than just a dad--starting now.

I lead Vivi to the living room, where we find Tenley, lying on her side, deep in play with Holland, who's gurgling up at her. The sight melts away some of the dread over leaving.

"You know, Tenley told me I was a seven. At least one of you has some sense," I say, playfully.

"I told you, you were a seven with the fancy suit. Don't overinflate my praise." She doesn't even bother looking up from my daughter as she insults me again.

Vivi hums thoughtfully, her gaze sweeping over me, and for the first time since learning I was going to be a dad, I care about something unrelated to my daughter, or baseball. I want her to dispute that and tell me that a seven is way too low.

"Are you hearing this? And I'm supposed to walk out the door and trust her with my daughter after that?"

Vivi looks between us, holding back her laughter as if she's trying not to encourage us while we lob snarky remarks back and forth. It's the most like myself I've felt in months.

"You might be mid on a good day, Big Red, but your daughter is perfect everyday. Me and my new bestie will be just fine here tonight while you two kids get up to whatever it is you do at these stuffy galas." Tenley waves us off, her focus remaining on my daughter the whole time.

"We really should get going before we're late to the stuffy gala," Vivienne says, all business again.

I cross the room and scoop Holland up, pressing a kiss to her head. "Love you, áine." Looking from my daughter to Tenley, I hesitate. "You've got your phone, right?"

She waves it between us. "Your number is programmed in there, and I can call Vi."

"She's got a fresh diaper on and I fed her right before you got here. She'll need another bottle before we get home. I left everything out where it's easy to find. The bottles and formula are on the counter and there's a fire extinguisher under the sink . . ."

Tenley rolls her lips together and I stop, realizing I'm spiraling.

"Breathe, we've got this." She models taking a deep calming breath and, without thinking, I mimic her.

This is hard, harder than leaving her with the girls, but Tenley stares me down, waiting patiently until I hand my baby back and rejoin Vivi. "Shall we?"

When I reach the edge of the living room, I glance back to check if she's following. She's still standing in the middle of the room, not paying me any attention, mouthing "mid" to my nanny with a raised eyebrow.

Tenley catches me but doesn't give me away. Instead, she smirks at her aunt and shrugs.

Yeah, Tenley and I are going to get along fine. It's her aunt that has me thoroughly perplexed.