Lizetta wrapped up her side gig at the dance training center as the evening crept in. She’d been


    shaking it as a dance instructor at this joint for a year now, teaching adult modern dance on evenings


    and weekends.


    Today, the manager roped her inst minute to cover for a kids‘ ss, and boy, was she a hit! With


    solid skills plus being easy on the eyes and super patient, the kiddos totally dug her, and the feedback


    was off the charts. She stepped out of the locker room, and the manager handed her an envelope with


    money in it, “Lizetta, you were a real lifesaver today. How about jumping ship to the kids‘ crew? We’ll


    bump your hourly rate by a bill.”


    Lizetta’s eyes sparkled, “Count me in. I’m free as a bird these days.”


    After leaving the center, Lizetta hopped in a cab to the hospital. Hanna’s words fromst night had


    rattled her, and she’d been stewing about Joseph ever since.


    When she got to his room, the help was fussing over Joseph trying to feed him, but the tyke was having


    none of it.


    He was the Dashiell family’s little tyrant, and the servant didn’t stand a chance. Spotting Lizetta, they


    bolted, relieved.


    “You heartbreaker! Why’d it take you ages toe see me?”


    Lizetta sauntered over, “Here I am now; eat up.”


    “Howe you didn’te with my brother? Did he give you grief again? Liz, you’re such a knockout.


    Dump him and find someone who’s attentive. Or hey, wait for me to grow up; that works too.”


    Lizetta couldn’t help but chuckle. The kid was barely out of short pants and he was talking about being


    attentive?


    But she yed along with a nod, “Yeah, that’s the n.”


    Before she knew it, Joseph fished out a phone from under the covers and hollered into it, “Remington,


    you hear that? Liz is over you!”


    Joseph hung up, grinning at Lizetta, “If you’re ticked off, he’s gotta know. You can’t bottle it up; that


    way, he cane and sweet–talk you.”


    “Look at you, all wise beyond your years,” Lizetta gave the boy’s head a gentle smack.


    As if Remington would ever sweet–talk her.


    “Ageism, much? Us grade–schoolers know all about romance.”


    “That’s puppy love, and it’s a no–go. You’re not allowed!”


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    “I wouldn’t give the snot–nosed girls at school the time of day.”


    “As if you’re not a snot–nosed kid yourself.”


    “I’m not.”


    Joseph’seback was cut short by a loud, uncontroble fart. Lizetta just shook her head,ughing


    Joseph buried himself under the covers in a huff, and Lizetta went to pull the nket back, “You’re not


    actually enjoying the smell, aren’t you? Come on, lift it up.”


    Out of the seven Dashiell kids, Joseph was the baby and way younger than the rest. He’d always been


    super clingy with Lizetta; they were tight like siblings.


    Joseph kicked around under the covers, and then popped his head out, sneakily sidling up to Lizetta.


    “Liz, did my brother give you the jade bracelet yesterday?”


    23-27


    Lizetta froze, and then swiftly changed the subject,


    “Still got a fever today?” She reached out to check his forehead


    But Joseph wasn’t easily fooled. He grabbed Lizetta’s hand and started rolling her sleeve up


    “Howe it’s not there? I’m gonna grill him about this!”


    The kid was about to vault off the bed when Lizetta felt a warm rush of concern for his illness.


    Just then, a man’s voice came from the door, “What are you gonna grill me about?”


    Lizetta turned to see Remington striding in. He was talking to Joseph, but his deep eyes were locked


    on Lizetta.


    Lizetta quickly looked away, not keen on sharing the same air with him


    “I’m off to wash some fruit.”


    She brushed past Remington and headed to the mini–kitchen, with Josephis voice trailing behind her.


    “Remington, you didn’t give Liz our family’s heirloom bracelet? I’m telling you, I’d only let it go if it’s for


    Liz Otherwise, I’d make Mom save it for my future bride.”


    Lizetta had just reached the kitchen when she froze at the sound of Joseph’s yelp.


    “Ow!”


    Remington had smacked the back of the little rascal’s head.


    “Kids should butt out of grown–ups‘ business!”


    Lizetta closed the kitchen door, her lips pressed white. The bracelet went to Evelina. So, Remington


    didn’t even think it was worth exining or giving his own wife the time of day, huh?


    But what Lizetta couldn’t fathom was why Remington wouldn’t just sign the divorce papers and marry


    Evelinal already.


    “I get it. If you like a girl, you gotta treat her right, or careful, Liz will bolt, and then it’ll be a Herculean


    task for you to win back her heart!”


    Remington sat on the couch, legs crossed, replying to emails, clearly not giving a rat’s about the


    kiddo’s advice. Joseph felt slighted and couldn’t resist the gossip.