“Why not?” Damn, if I wasn’t more offended than before.
“I didn’t want her to tell you our life story. She might only be four, but she’s brilliant. A little sponge who absorbs everything she sees and hears. Not always a good thing.” Her eyes went wide like Sadie had seen some stuff she shouldn’t have. “She even knows how to use my phone better than me.”
“Is that right? Are you a whiz kid, peanut?” I tickled Sadie’s side, making her giggle. “Well, if you or your momma needs me, I’m number two on speed dial. Do you know which number is two?”
Sadie nodded but didn’t lift her head off my shoulder. Maybe she was missing her daddy. That had to be it. He didn’t sound like a good father, but then he was under duress with his kid out of the state without his permission. I’d feel bad for him if my gut didn’t tell me Jaynee and Sadie were better off without him.
“You didn’t have to give her your number, Zan-der.” She drew out my name, all sassy and shit.
“Yes I did, Jay-nee.” I dished it back.
She laughed. “Don’t be a brat.”
Jaynee seemed like a good mom. Fun and caring, considerate of others. We’d be great friends. With the kid around, it was easy to not think of her as a sweet piece of ass I wanted to lose myself in.
“I haven’t wanted to ask, but how are you doing after your friend’s…” I shot her a look, hoping she understood what I was asking. “You know.”
She nodded. “I know. We weren’t close, but I’m sad. When I called her last night, I was desperate to get out of Vegas. There was no one else for me to reach out to.” She teared up, inhaling a deep breath, and blew it out. In an instant, her tears were gone.
Selfishly, I was relieved. I didn’t think I could handle her crying again.
“What do you think you’ll do now?” I hated leaving her and the kid here, but what else could I do? She didn’t want to go to Bastion. If she’d said yes, I’d have to tell her I was a biker. I wasn’t so sure she’d take the news well.
It was better if we parted ways.
Jaynee shrugged. “Start over, I guess.”
I set Sadie on the bed next to her momma, then fished out my wallet.
“The room is paid up through the week.” I took out all the cash I had. “This isn’t a lot, but it should be enough to keep you guys fed and to get you around town on the bus.” I wished I had more money. Two hundred and five bucks wouldn’t last long.
“No, I can’t take that.” She pushed my hand away.
“I didn’t ask if you can take it. I’m giving it to you.”
“Zander—”
“Jaynee, take it. Sadie needs to eat.”
“The hotel has free continental breakfast.” She just had to give me a hard time. I respected her stubbornness. She wasn’t trying to swindle me out of my money, but seriously, this chick was in a bind. All I wanted to do was help her out.
“What about lunch and dinner?” I bet she hadn’t thought this all through.
“I’ll make her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at breakfast and take a piece of fruit to save for lunch.” She shrugged her shoulder and arched her brow.
Okay, so she had thought some of this through.
“And dinner? There isn’t much within walking distance. You’ll have to take the bus or an Uber to get around. Just take the damn money.” And I thought I was stubborn. This woman had me beat.
She snatched the bills from my hand. “Fine. If it’ll make you shut up.” Amusement was in her eyes. “You’re relentless, you know that, Zander?”
She had no idea.
“Yeah, I know.” I glanced around the room awkwardly. “Well, I should be going.” But my feet wouldn’t move. “I can stay if you—”
“We’ll be okay.” She got to her feet and went to the door. “Thank you so much for everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t mistakenly texted you.”
“How did you do that?”