Can't Stand the Heat? by Margaret Watson

suspecting anything.” Walker gave her an easy smile. She wasn’t the only one who knew how to turn the tables.
    “What would ‘getting to know him’ accomplish? He’s Tony’s son. Besides, he doesn’t need a new calculator. He can borrow one from the school.”
    “And become a loser? And a dork?”
    Her mouth tightened. “You think this is funny? Those calculators cost almost a hundred dollars. This is a good lesson. He’ll be more careful with his stuff.”
    “Maybe so, but this solves a lot of my problems. I need help setting up the game, programming to make it work on Quinn’s system.”
    “I’m certain you’re more than able to do the work yourself.”
    “Sure I am.”
    “You’re backing me into a corner.”
    “I’m trying to. Test him or let him work for me. Your choice.”
    “What about those pictures you claimed you had? The ones that might look like Nick’s baby pictures. Didn’t that pan out for you?”
    He held up the white bag. “Got them right here.”
    “Good. Let me see them, then you can get out of our lives.”
    She peered in the store window, then held out her hand. He slid the folder from the bag and passed her copies of the two photos.
    She glanced at them, then gave them back. “You were a cute kid, but there’s no resemblance.”
    She hadn’t even realized she was seeing two different children—him and his father. “You barely looked at them.”
    “I didn’t need to.”
    “I want to compare them side by side with Nick’s,” Walker insisted.
    “Fine. Come over and I’ll let you.”
    “How about today?”
    “Good. Let’s get this over with.”
    “I still want him to work for me.” He would make her see the resemblance. “You can say the pictures don’t look alike, but I still want him tested. And I want to get to know him. Or I’ll get Tony’s permission.”
    “You’re a bastard.”
    “I am. So what’ll it be, Jen?”
    She peered in the store window, fuming. “I don’t want him spending time with a bastard like you.”
    “I’ll stop pressing you for the DNA test.” For now, anyway. “I get programming help, and Nick earns some money.”
    “I’ll pay for the damn calculator myself.”
    He couldn’t resist pushing her. “Is it because of the other night?”
    She held her ground. “What about the other night? What does walking me home from the Harp have to do with this?”
    He struggled to keep the smile off his face. “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t afraid of anything.”
    “You think I’m afraid of you, Walker?” She narrowed her eyes. “I know how to take care of my family. And myself.”
    “Glad to hear it. Nick wants to do this.”
    She looked in the window of the drugstore at Nick, standing at the counter, and her expression softened. “You’re right. He’s thrilled by the idea. You saw how excited he was. You made it so I can’t say no.”
    “I’m using what I have.”
    “Fine. He can work for you until he pays off the calculator. But you do it at my house, where I can watch. I’ll listen to everything you say to him.”
    “Okay, we’ll work at your place.”
    Nick ambled out of the store and shoved the bag at his mother with a scowl. “Here’s your stuff.”
    “Thank you,” Jen said.
    Walker reached for his wallet and handed Nick a hundred-dollar bill. “Go get your calculator and we’ll figure out the details later.”
    Nick stared at him. “Really?” He looked at Jen. “You told him it was okay?”
    “Get the calculator, Nick,” she said.
    “Thanks, Mom.” He turned to Walker. “This is so awesome. Thank you, man.” He rushed into the store.
    The wind ruffled her hair, lifting the tiny tendrils that had escaped her ponytail. They glittered like gold in the sunlight. “Now that we’ve agreed about Nick, let’s talk about you.”
    “We haven’t agreed about anything. You forced my hand.” She shoved the strands of hair behind one ear.
    “I didn’t force your hand the other night. And if you feel