When she refocused, his mouth was moving, but she hadn't heard a word.
"Are you paying attention?"
She shook her head. "No, I was distracted. Go back to the sitter part."
His low rumble made her insides twist. "Maddie and I took the test and are waiting on the results. Doc said they should be here in a few days."
"So, you need me to watch her until you know for sure? What then? Will you toss her aside if she's not yours?" She hoped that saying it out loud made him feel like shit. However, she also hoped that Maddie didn't hear her.
When she turned, Maddie was happily playing with a dog and cat cutout.
"I can't be expected to take care of a kid that's not mine."
"Of course not, that would be too humane." She rolled her eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that she left her child to you for a reason?" While Mercy couldn't know why it seemed Maddie's mom had a plan. Most likely, it was that Alex was the father. They did have similar eyes, and both had dark hair.
"She had a reason all right. She wanted her daughter to live in the lap of luxury, where private schools weren't a problem. Where expensive clothes, vacations, and Ivy League educations were a given, but she picked the wrong guy. I'm not the catch she assumed I'd be."
"No, you're not."
He crossed his arms and spread his legs, and she swore he grew before her eyes. His stance was an intimidation technique she'd seen many times when she questioned Randy about his whereabouts. Now she recognized it as the defense mechanism it was.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What? I simply agreed with you."
He shook his head. "We're getting off topic. I'm here because Katie said you needed a job and I need a sitter. To me, it sounds like we're the perfect match." He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "What I mean is that we need each other." He shook his head and took two slow, deep breaths before looking at her. "None of this is coming out right."
"Let me help you. You don't want the responsibility of a five-year-old, and since I'm an elementary school teacher, I'm more suited to care for her while you figure out your next move."
"You're a teacher?"
"First grade. Did you think I cut out animals and sea creatures for fun? No, I do it because I know my responsibilities and want to be prepared."
"I get it; you're going to bust my balls first."
"I'd rather not talk about your balls in the vicinity of a child. In fact, I don't want to talk about them at all." With the mention of his body parts, she returned to June, and the calendar shot she'd love to see. Alex Cruz dressed in nothing except for a cute puppy placed strategically in front of him to cover his … balls.
"Then let's talk about you watching Maddie. Layla's friend said she might be behind in her education, so having you would be beneficial."
"I'm not cheap." She had a stack of bills that said she couldn't be.
"What's it going to cost me?"
"I've got a stack of bills left by another a-hole that couldn't decide what to do about the girl, or should I say the girls in his life. They need to be paid." She didn't know what the going rate for childcare was, but her time wouldn't come low-cost. He was hiring a cook and a teacher as well as a babysitter. "It will be twenty dollars an hour."
His mouth dropped. "Are you nuts? I'm a drummer, not the star. That's eight hundred a week."
"You wouldn't play a concert for nothing, and I won't take on your child for free either." That wasn't the truth. She would have gladly helped Maddie and taken her in, but why not ask for what she needed. It was a win-win. He needed her, and she needed his money.
"I play for free often. There was the fourth of July concert, and at the end of the month, we have the Fireman's Fundraiser. I don't get paid for those."
"I'm sorry to have misspoken, but you don't want a simple babysitter. You want a tutor and a cook and a caregiver." She looked at Maddie. "She also needs a fashion consultant and hairdresser."
"You're fleecing me."
"I'm negotiating a fair wage for what you want."
She stepped forward, forcing him to move backward. "I'll be right here, Maddie. I just need a private word with your father."
"Hey," he said. "We don't know that's true. I don't want to confuse her if I'm not."
"I would imagine she's confused already. Her mother died, she's been dragged halfway across the country and shoved in front of a man who doesn't want her."
"I don't know what to do with a kid. I've never been a father."
A pffft sound burst from her lips. "According to Layla, you've been a father for five years and never engaged."
His face paled.
"I didn't know."
"If you had … would you have cared?"
He raked his hand through his hair. "I can't say because I didn't know. Right now, I'm doing the best I can."
"I've found when we think we're at our best, we can always do better."
"I'm not here for an education. I'm here because I need your help. I have to be at the recording studio in less than an hour. Do we have a deal?"
If she said yes, her problems would be over sooner.
"It's a deal."
"Thank you." He turned to leave.
"Hey, don't you think you should say goodbye?"
"You're right. I'll need to practice."
She opened the door and stood aside. "To be a considerate human being? It looks like you could use some lessons in lots of things."
She hung by the door while Alex kneeled next to Maddie.
"Hey kiddo, I have to go to work. I'll pick you up later, okay?"
Maddie stopped coloring her pink cat and handed it to Alex. "Fluffy wants to come with you."
"She does,
