ALLISON

I'm seething at Mrs. Hayes. What on earth is wrong with that lady?

As I pull into my parents' driveway, they're already outside waving enthusiastically. I put the car in park and turn to look at Lucy. Her innocent gaze stares out the window, seemingly lost in her own world. Her tears finally dried up.

There's something about her sweet expression that captures Meg's best qualities, a reminder of her every day. I wish everyone at that school could witness what I see in her. How kind and vivacious she is.

"Lucy Goose, look at me" I gently coax her attention away from the window. "Everything is going to be fine. I am going to talk to the school tomorrow and get it all sorted out. No matter what. I won't let anything bad happen to you. Promise. You and me forever, kiddo" I reach back and tickle her.

I finally manage to crack a smile out of her. She needs to feel it, that we're totally in this together. Like, no matter what life throws at us, we're a team, tackling it side by side.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Auntie Allie," Lucy murmurs, her voice filled with regret. "I just... I know you get really busy all the time, and I didn't want to worry you."

This child. Be still, her heart.

"Lucy, listen, you don't need to stress about me. That's my gig—to watch out for you. Promise me something, though, you'll keep me in the loop from now on, no matter how hectic things get for me. I'm never too busy to be there for you."

"Promise," she says, beaming another toothless grin my way. She has lost two front teeth just in the last month.

This girl, even though I wish her mom could still be here, is an incredible blessing in my life. I silently make a vow to Meg to always look after her daughter, just as I do every single day.

"Grab your bag, and let's head inside. I see Grandpa chomping at the bit to start the gingerbread house kit in his hands." I tease as we watch my dad approach the car door and open it for Lucy,

Lucy climbs out of the car in excitement already examining the gingerbread house kit my dad has for them. "Hey, Dad," I call out, waving. "Hey, kiddo," we exchange greetings and they head inside, leaving me and my mom alone on the porch.

I approach my mom at the door. "Hey, thanks for this. Can you watch her for the rest of the day? I've got a lot of work to tackle."

"Of course, honey. But why isn't she in school?" My mom's concern is evident as she questions me.

My parents, April and Richard, have been an incredible support system since my sister's passing, assisting with Lucy. It's been a collective effort, so I know I need to fill my parents in on everything that transpired with Mrs. Hayes. Taking a deep breath, I recount every detail of what happened. Right down to that Ashley girl being mean.

My mom looks at me like she wants to say something, and is waiting for me to ask her for advice.

"I've got it under control, but I might need a bit more help with Lucy as we work through this," I say, feeling the weight of the situation.

"Of course, we're here to support both of you through this. And we'll keep you updated if Lucy shares anything else while we're with her," my mom reassures me, enveloping me in a comforting and reassuring hug. After all, she lost Meg too.

***

I stride through the warehouse doors, observing the bustle of activity around me. Mentally cataloging tasks, I prioritize my conversation with Drake to unravel the chaos and see what the hell that is all about.

A sudden voice cuts through my concentration. "That coffee looks spectacular!" Someone yells, disrupting my thoughts.

I pivot to find Nick grinning at me. "What?" I reply, puzzled.

"My coffee looks amazing," he chuckles, gesturing toward my empty hands.

"I don't have coffee... Oh, damn, sorry. I forgot," I realize what he is talking about. I totally spaced and didn't get his coffee for keeping an eye out for me.

"You forgot about me," he teases, arching an eyebrow with a suggestive look that sends a thrill through me.

"No, I can't forget about you." I gaze at him taking in every curve and contour of his muscles. "Just the coffee...I owe you one, promise." I say softly.

As I make my way to my office, he effortlessly falls into step beside me. "So, how'd things hold up while I was gone?" I ask.

"Great. People are still worried about their bonuses and asking questions but..." He pauses abruptly, noticing me tripping over a stray roll of tape left on the floor. Swiftly, he catches me before I hit the ground, and I find myself nestled in his arms.

Clutching onto his biceps, I gaze up at him. His arms are so strong under my hands, and for a moment, I wonder if he senses the same connection I do. There's an unspoken tension between us.

Our eyes lock in a charged moment. The air between us crackles with unspoken words. Absently, I moisten my lips, a reflex from my dry lips thanks to the brisk chill outside. Aware of the daring game we're playing, I can't help but revel in it.

He is still holding me. The intensity in his gaze tells me that if we weren't here at work, we'd already be shedding every barrier between us. Our eyes stay locked, a silent agreement to continue this secretive dance. His deep brown eyes challenge me, a daring game of who will break this electrifying stare first.

"Allison, check your emails" another manager yells at me across the floor breaking our spell. Damn it.

"On it," I yell back.

I clear my throat, composing myself, and straighten up, quickly surveying the warehouse. Thankfully, no one seems to be paying any attention to our momentary encounter.

"Thanks," I mutter. "This day is just peachy," I add sarcastically. "Now, on top of everything else, I have to figure out who the brilliant soul was that thought leaving that on the floor was a good idea. If it were anyone else, they could've been seriously hurt and—"

"But no one got hurt," he interjects. "Maybe it was an accident and it fell without someone noticing. Are you sure everything's all right?" His concern is evident.

I struggle to keep my emotions in check, but Nick, perceptive as ever, easily senses my distress. I hesitate to open up to him, worried that admitting my struggle might paint me as incapable of managing my responsibilities, potentially affecting how I'm seen at work. How I am seen by him.

However, I notice something different about Nick with every shift we share.

He has a genuine concern that transcends the professional realm.

Throughout our time at SelectMart together, I've observed his considerate nature, always ready to step in for struggling colleagues, and never uttering a complaint about extra work if it benefits the team.

He embodied the ideal support I needed in this overwhelming moment, someone capable of easing my stress.

In more ways than one, I think. If only our professional ties didn't bind us because lord knows how much stress he really could help me with if I could have a chance with him in my bed.

If I could just take all of my pent-up stress out on him and his beautiful body.

It's all too much to handle—the tension building between Nick and me, the relentless demands of work, and now Lucy's struggles at school.

"Hey, you know you can talk to me, right?" Nick's reassuring touch lands gently on my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine with a depth of care. "Is everything all right with your niece?"

Worry etches his expression, the previous current of attraction fading into the background as genuine concern takes its place.

"Yes. No... I don't know." I sigh, feeling overwhelmed. "I work so hard to ensure she gets the best education possible, even if it means sacrificing a lot. But today, after meeting her teacher, doubts have crept in. She's failing, and someone's bullying her. Why didn't she tell me?" I spill out the turmoil inside me.

"I'm sure she wanted to. Maybe she just didn't know how," Nick offers, trying to ease my worries.

"Maybe, but even so... Do you know how tough it is for people to label her as the 'poor girl'?" I confide, frustration evident in my voice.

"'Poor girl'? What does that mean?" he seems genuinely curious.

We pause as a forklift rumbles past, offering me a brief moment to collect myself.

"Because, compared to the other families at Highland Prep, we might as well be. They tease her, and the teachers...they treat her differently. She's starting to notice, and it's breaking my heart," I admit, the weight on my chest growing heavier.

"Highland Prep, huh? I know that school. Full of children of entitled celebrities. Have you considered talking to the headmistress?"

"I feel like I don't have a choice but to have a conversation with her. Lucy's teacher is more into blaming than finding a solution. She's decided I'm the reason Lucy's struggling. It's ridiculous, the bitch doesn't know a thing," I exhale heavily, sensing my voice rising as I recall the frustrating meeting from earlier.

"I just hope the Headmistress is more receptive to resolving this than Mrs. Hayes," I add, a hint of reluctance tinging my tone, reflecting my apprehension about the upcoming discussion.

It's not a conversation I'm looking forward to. But I made a promise to Lucy, a promise to shield her from harm. Even if it means unsettling the status quo at her school. I refuse to let anyone mistreat her.

"Let me know if you need any help. I don't mind storming their doors with you." He playfully suggests trying to get a smile out of me.

"Thank you, Nick. Your support means a lot," I express, my demeanor softening as our eyes meet, his kindness a comforting anchor in all of this mess.

"Of course. Will you keep me posted?" His hand lightly grazes mine, sending a jolt through me that's hard to ignore.

"I promise," I assure him, swiftly turning away, determined to retreat to my office before succumbing to the tempting desire to do or say something I might regret.

Nick has a way of stirring emotions, making it a challenge to resist the impulse to kiss him.

With a sigh, I redirect my focus back to the awaiting pile of work in my office, feeling the weight of responsibilities pressing in. Despite the mounting tasks, my thoughts persistently circle back to Lucy and even Nick.

Admittedly, there's no way for me to know what's happening with Lucy if someone didn't inform me, yet I can't shake this overwhelming sense of guilt.

She means the world to me, and at this moment, I feel like I've let her down.

It's baffling how any educator could let this slip without a word to anyone until now.

I've been racking my brain, trying to recall any signs that Lucy might have been going through something, but I'm drawing a blank. She's always been such a joyful and kind-hearted girl.

I set the paper I've been holding aside and recline in my chair, enveloped by the bustling sounds of the warehouse. People are communicating over the loud machinery, conveyor belts operating diligently.

Amid the atmosphere, Christmas music softly fills the space, playing 'Wonderful Christmas Time' over the speakers throughout the building.

I don't feel very wonderful right now.

I need to do something. If I let this pass another second without addressing it, I fear I might implode from being so angry that this is happening to my girl.

I sit back up and pull up my email. Nick is right, I need to go straight to the headmistress.

Anticipation knots my stomach, knowing the email I'm about to compose will undoubtedly stir things up.

Yet, for Lucy's sake, I have to do this.

With deliberate care, I craft an email demanding a meeting with the headmistress, the urgency of the situation refusing to wait.

If I don't hear anything by the time I drop Lucy off in the morning, you can bet I'll be marching my ass into that office. I won't leave until the headmistress gives me the answers I need.

This is for Lucy; I'll do whatever it takes to ensure she's treated fairly.