“That’s what mom keeps telling me.” Ella squeezed Molly’s fingers. “But I wish I didn’t need algebra.”
Molly chuckled. “I think I once wished that too.”
“I can help after twelve thirty on Monday.” Evie set her phone down. “Unfortunately, I have an early morning doctor’s appointment that cannot be rescheduled.”
“You can’t miss that.” Ella sounded worried. “Remember when you fell and broke your arm in three places.”
“That was almost two years ago,” Evie said. “I’m sure I’ve healed.”
“Still, you should see the doctor,” Ella said.
“Hazel and I will be fine together,” Drew said. “We’ve got this. I don’t need help on Monday.”
“If you do, you can text me,” Evie offered. “I’ll come right after my appointment.”
“And you are on my approved list, to sign me out of school, Uncle Drew,” Ella said. “So, if you need me, just go to the office and sign me out.”
“Your parents will not like that,” Drew warned.
“We don’t need to tell them,” Ella suggested, grinning.
“Okay.” Drew held up his hands, as if asking for patience. “I’m not texting or signing anyone out of anything Monday morning. But I am watching Hazel and we will be fine.”
Molly worked through all the reasons this was wrong. But what other choice did she have? A nanny she wasn’t comfortable with, or Drew—a man she considered more than a friend. A man she was tempted to trust her heart with. Molly twisted her hands together underneath the table. She might be tempted, but that was all.
His perceptive gaze dropped on Molly and held. He arched one eyebrow. “Agreed?”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MOLLY CHECKED HER phone for the fifth time in five minutes and glanced up and down the empty hallway outside Judge Reilly’s chambers.
Drew was late.
The same man who had dismissed two nannies last Friday for being late to their interviews was now imitating their bad behavior. Molly peered at Hazel in her stroller. Only a single green stain from breakfast discolored her daughter’s short-sleeved cotton onesie with the clouds. Not exactly the look Molly would’ve chosen for Hazel to meet Judge Reilly, but she had no choice.
Molly produced a rainbow-print blanket from the diaper bag and covered Hazel from chin to feet. The stain hidden, Molly reached for the door of Judge Reilly’s chambers.
“I’m here.” Footsteps echoed on the marble floor. Drew waved at her and called out again, “I’m here.”
Molly released the door handle and watched Drew skid to a halt in front of the stroller.
“Sorry,” he wheezed and touched his chest. “Took longer to get the pennies than I thought.”
“Pennies,” Molly repeated.
Drew held up a plastic bag of pennies. “For the fountain in the park. We have wishes to make while you’re in the judge’s chambers.”
Molly handed Drew the diaper bag and angled Hazel’s stroller toward him. “Text me the address for the park. I’ll meet you two there.”
“It’s a short walk.” Drew stashed the penny bag inside the diaper bag and gripped the stroller handle. “Remember when you’re in there, use honesty and candor dipped in sunshine.”
“Professor Mason’s favorite advice.” The tension eased from Molly’s shoulders. Their popular law professor had a creative spin on how to appeal to everyone from individual jurors, court reporters and judges to clients and their families.
“I prefer my honesty lightly dusted in powdered sugar.” Drew lifted both eyebrows. “But whatever works for you.”
What worked for Molly was Drew. In a suit or like now, in running shoes, athletic pants and a sweatshirt. What worked for Molly was Drew the friend who’d taken her to see Santa all those years ago. The friend who came to her rescue today as a babysitter. And the man who’d referred to her as special. But it wasn’t the time or place to dissect her relationship with Drew.
She took a deep breath, let it go and flexed her toes in her heels. Walking through the same routine she did before every court appearance reminded her to stay grounded and confident. “I should not be long. I’m sure Judge Reilly has case hearings back-to-back today.”
“Hazel and I are good.” Drew pushed the stroller away.
Molly pushed open the door to Judge Reilly’s office, greeted Daniel, the administrative assistant, and waited for him to escort her into the judge’s chambers. She quickly ran through what she wanted to accomplish here. She wanted no hiccups with Hazel’s custody. On the off chance something went awry, she wanted to be prepared.
And she was.
Twenty-eight minutes later, Molly shook Judge Reilly’s hand and exited the judge’s chambers.
When she’d first learned she was pregnant, Molly had envisioned debating wallpaper choices with Derrick or paint for the nursery. Deliberating over the most educational toys for the playroom and discussing whether a sandbox or swing set worked better in the backyard.
She’d never imagined the copious amounts of paperwork. Or Judge Reilly’s lengthy explanation of parental rights, both maternal and paternal. Or the judge’s mandate for a custody hearing in two weeks, ordering both parents to be present. Fortunately Judge Reilly had agreed to hold the hearing in San Francisco rather than Los Angeles.
Molly’s filing for full legal custody of Hazel had become much more than notarized signatures on a stack of papers. But her daughter was her priority and the steps, although frustrating and tedious, were necessary. Molly texted Derrick the hearing details, explained it was a formality and set out her expectations that he would attend. Once custody was finalized, they could both move on. Derrick with his first wife and old ways, like he’d chosen. Without Hazel in his life, liked he’d wanted. Molly was determined to build a better future for Hazel and herself in the Bay Area.
Outside the courthouse, Molly opened her map app to locate the park where Drew and Hazel had ventured off to.
Drew had brought pennies to make wishes in a fountain. He hadn’t hesitated in his offer to watch Hazel for Molly. He’d rescued puppies with confidence and ease. And recently he’d been rescuing Molly. First with an apartment.
