“You could end me,” I say softly, begging her with my eyes to stay away from me.
“I wouldn’t.” She shakes her head.
I smile at her. “You could end me without even intending to.”
Her face falls, and again my fingers twitch to lift her little face. Those sad eyes looking at the floor tear through my heart with ferocity, and I can’t stand it.
“We can’t be alone together,” I say. Then add, “Ever.”
She nods. “Of course. Should I leave? I’ve barely started the job.”
I look around. The kitchen does look a million times better, even if it’s not done yet. “No. I don’t want to steal your job from you. I’ll head out. I’ll be back at the end of the day with your payment.”
She nods.
“Could you do me a favor and give Pix her lunchtime treat? The treat jar is in the pantry.”
“Sure. Would it be okay if I walked her as well?”
“You don’t have to. The dog walker comes back at six.”
“Oh,” she says sadly.
“But you can if you want to,” I amend.
She smiles with gratitude. I think she just wants time with my baby girl.
Why does she have to be a minor and so damn perfect?
Then a horrifying thought slices through my mind. Sofia just made her forbidden. Unattainable. I’m disgusted with myself because that thought excites me. What in the hell is happening to me?
I need to get away from Lola—as far away as possible.
I can’t be tempted.
“Before I head out, I need to show you something upstairs.”
Her eyes narrow, and I want to slap my forehead at how that must have sounded. “About the job. There are special instructions upstairs.”
“Oh,” Lola says, the tension in her shoulders dropping.
I lead her to the side of the house where I spend most of my time. “If you want to put away Pix’s toys in the toy bin, that’s fine, but I take care of most everything else in here.”
“I was wondering why it’s so clean,” she says.
“Pixel needs a safe home,” I say simply.
“You can dust and vacuum, though I’m not sure it needs it yet. But whatever you do, do not go through that door.”
Her gaze darts past me to the closed door at the other end of the room, her head tilting to the side. “What’s in there?”
My grin is massive. “I’ll show you.” I walk to the door, open it, and like in a cheesy movie, I can almost imagine the heavenly light that shines through. The entire wall behind that door is lined with all my babies. Rows upon rows of all my guitars.
“Don’t touch my axes under any circumstances.”
Lola’s jaw is slack in awe.
“You understand?”