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“Your parents named one kid Miranda and one Tierney?” Tori’s brows drew together in confusion.
“Tierney was a surprise. I was sixteen when she was born, and Rebel was a surprise for her.”
“So how old is she now?”
Miranda locked her gaze onto Tori’s eyes, trying to figure out exactly why she was asking. “She turned twenty-nine at the end of August.”
Tori’s eyes widened, the shock evident.
“Are you surprised my kid sister is twenty-nine or that I’m forty-five?” She had a bite in her tone, but she wasn’t going to apologize for it.
“Both? Honestly. For the record, you don’t look forty-five, but also, I’m twenty-nine, and I can’t imagine ever leaving Harley with my sister for a quick trip and not coming back.”
“Well, that’s Tierney for you. This isn’t the first time she’s done it, but it is the longest.” Miranda’s mind churned. She would have pegged Tori for being older. She acted older, mature, as if she had her life together and knew what she was doing. Which she probably did, but she was still so very young. Suddenly, guilt ate away at her. Miranda had checked her out! She’d actually looked her over with sexual interest. Miranda had been in high school when Tori was born. It was disgusting that she would even consider it, wasn’t it?
“I really can’t imagine doing that, not to mention the weight that puts on you.”
Miranda knocked her chin up, centering herself. “She’s always been allowed to do whatever she wants. Ever since she was born. If you don’t mind, though, I do need to get ready for our services tomorrow.”
“Do you need someone to watch Rebel tomorrow?”
“No.” Miranda stiffened. “I can do it.”
“Okay, just know if you do need an extra hand, I’m more than willing to help out.”
“You have your own life to live.” Miranda lifted herself up. “Where did the toys come from?”
“Oh, my car.” Tori shrugged. “I always keep extra things in there in case we get stuck places.”
It wasn’t a bad idea. Miranda would have to add a few of those to her vehicle the next chance she got, along with a proper backup diaper bag in there. Her to-do list was growing longer by the second.
“Let me know when you want those clothes. I can talk to my ex and see if she has any she wants to get rid of.”
“Your ex?” Miranda’s stomach tightened again. She’d thought Tori was safe to check out, that she was in a happy relationship with Harley’s other mother, that there wouldn’t be anything beyond simple looks. But ex?
“Yeah. Siena and I have been divorced a couple years now. Amicable.” Tori grinned. “We parent really well together, but relationship? Not so much.”
Miranda had no idea what to say to that. Tori was so open with everything in her life. Miranda was not. It had taken everything out of her to share what little she had that evening, and it had probably been the stress and exhaustion that had pushed her to do it.
“I’ll text you my number. Just let me know when a good time would be to drop off the clothes.”
“Oh. Okay.” Miranda pulled herself from her thoughts.
“Maybe when that stinker—” Tori pointed at Rebel “—feels better.”
“Yes.” Miranda’s throat was tight. What had she been thinking?
“Thanks for letting me watch her today.” Tori was back to her bubbly self, the tension from the conversation earlier completely gone. How did she manage to do that?
“Thank you.” Miranda nearly choked on the words, but it wasn’t because she didn’t mean them. It was the look Tori was giving her, open and appraising.
“Any time.” Tori’s grin flashed bigger. When she walked by, she touched Miranda’s arm lightly and then bent down for Rebel to run to her and give her a hug. She dropped kisses into Rebel’s matted hair before putting her down. Again, when she stood, Miranda got a wonderful view of her cleavage.
She inwardly groaned and closed her eyes. She had to stop doing that. They’d done well for today, but that was it. She’d get the clothes and move on. At least she’d have some back up if Tierney ever pulled something like this again. Tori walked out of the office, taking the warmth with her as she left.
eight
Miranda rapped her knuckles against the door four times in quick succession. She didn’t really want to be there, but she needed the clothes, and Tori had been so sweet the other week. Rebel fidgeted on her hip, but she held on tight. She’d hoped that Tierney would be back by then, but she wasn’t, and with the eviction finalized, everything in Tierney’s apartment was a loss. There was nothing left of Rebel’s.
