Unexpected

by Jenna Hartley

  She lifted a shoulder. “It wasn’t untrue.”

  “Yeah, but…still,” I huffed. “I shouldn’t have called you ‘boss’ in that tone. I certainly don’t think of you as my boss.”

  She straightened, and I could see her armor sliding back into place. “And maybe that’s the problem. Look,” she sighed. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I had a little too much to drink, and—can’t we just forget about it?”

  I wanted to call bullshit, but instead, I said, “I don’t think I can.”

  And judging from the conflicted look in her eyes, she couldn’t either. Even if she wasn’t ready to admit it.

  Her phone chimed, saving her from a response. She snagged the cup from me. “Thanks. I have to go.”

  She left me standing there, staring after her, until Sophia called my name. I huffed and returned to the kitchen, wondering where we went from here.

  A few days later and I was no closer to figuring out the answer. Alexis was still as busy as ever, though she did seem more relaxed since the closing. Sophia was happy, but I could tell she missed her mom. And it made me feel guilty—like my role in the kiss had not only pushed Alexis away from me, but Sophia too.

  To compensate, I did my best to keep her busy. We’d spent the day at the children’s museum, and the way her shoulders drooped told me she was getting tired.

  “You ready, princess?”

  Sophia nodded, taking a long drink from the water bottle I’d handed her. She’d been running around, exploring, and playing with other kids all day. She’d had a blast, and it made me realize how much she needed time with kids her own age. Something I intended to work on.

  “Can you keep a secret?” she asked on the way home from dinner.

  I glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Can I keep a secret?” I scoffed. “It’s part of the sacred oath of nannies. Anything you tell me gets locked in the vault.”

  She was quiet a moment, considering it. “So, you won’t tell, right?”

  “No, princess.” I smiled. “I won’t tell. What is it?”

  “Do you think my mom’s happy?” Her question surprised me. It was easy to forget how insightful children could be.

  I frowned. “Why do you ask?”

  “She just always seems… I don’t know,” she huffed. “Maybe lonely.”

  I’d noticed it too, but I didn’t want Sophia to worry. So, I turned the question back around on her. “Do you think she’s lonely? She has you. She has friends like Lauren, right?”

  “Yeah, but…I think she needs a boyfriend. Ben’s mom got a boyfriend, and she’s so much happier now.”

  I chuckled. “If only it were that simple.”

  “Why not?” she asked. “Couldn’t you be her boyfriend?”

  “Sophia,” I said, trying not to let any emotion show. “Do you know what a boyfriend is?”

  “Yes.” Even without looking back at her, I knew she was rolling her eyes. “It’s when a guy is really nice to a girl. And he takes her on dates. And, and he does nice things for her—like buy her flowers or call her on the phone.”

  I nodded. “That’s actually not a bad description.”

  She preened. “See. And you already do nice things for my mom.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah. You make her coffee every morning—just the way she likes. You cook her breakfast and sometimes dinner. You hang out with me. And you make her smile more than she has in a long time.”

  I grinned, but then my face fell. Maybe Alexis had been happier lately, but then I’d ruined it with the kiss. As much as the kiss meant to me, I’d take it all back if it meant we could go back to the way things were again.

  “Anyway…” She yawned. “Just think about it. ’Kay?”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I kept my attention focused on the road.

  Not long after, her eyes drifted shut, and she was deep asleep by the time we returned home. I pulled into the driveway and unbuckled Sophia before carefully picking her up. She mumbled something in her sleep, but otherwise, she was out.

  I carried her up the stairs and set her on her bed. After removing her shoes and tucking her in, I switched off the light and crept out of the room.

  I sank onto the couch, flipping through the channels until I found HGTV. It was an episode of Fixer Upper I’d already seen but didn’t mind watching again. I wondered when Alexis would be home, wondered if I should try to talk to her and clear the air.

  As I was debating all that, my phone rang. My mom’s picture lit up the screen. I was tempted to let it go to voice mail, but I hadn’t talked to her in a few days. And I knew if I didn’t answer, she’d worry.

  “Hey, Mom,” I said, lowering the volume on the TV.

  “Hey, sweetie. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Tired.” I yawned, rubbing a hand over my face.

  Being a live-in nanny was so much more demanding than the part-time placements I’d had in the past. Entertaining an energetic six-year-old all day, instead of after school or for a few hours, was no small feat. But really, it was emotional exhaustion. I was exhausted from the tension that seemed to stretch endlessly between Alexis and me.

  “Are you eating okay? Sleeping okay? Any pain?” Her questions came rapid-fire, and I should’ve known better than to say I was tired.

  “Mom.” I interrupted her mid-question. I understood why she was freaking out, and I felt bad for alarming her.

  “I’m just…tired. Chasing after a rambunctious six-year-old is hard work,” I said, hoping my answer would reassure her.

  “You’re sure? Do you think we need to set up an appointment with Dr. Patel?” I heard her voice wobble, even as she tried to cover it.

  “I’m fine, really.”

  “Okay, but—”

  “I know. And I’ll schedule an appointment if I need to,” I said.

  “Thank you,” she sighed, and I could sense her relief through the phone. “Don’t wait for your six-month scan. If you think you need to be seen sooner, go sooner.”

  I understood her concern, but still… “Okay, Mom.”

  “Any updates on Sam?” she asked, knowing he’d started another round of treatment.

  I shook my head before remembering she couldn’t see me. “He’s struggling. Indy says he’s losing a lot of weight.”

  “Hmm,” she said, and we both knew that wasn’t good. “Let me know if I can do anything.”

  “I will.” I appreciated the offer, even if I wasn’t sure there was much that could be done. It was heartbreaking to watch a friend struggle, to know their pain, their fear. “So, what’s up with you? How’s Dad?” I lay down on the couch, tucking an arm beneath my head.

  “Good. Good,” she said, sounding lighter. “I want to hear more about your adventures with Sophia.”

  I laughed. “Today we went to the children’s museum. She loved it. She’s so inquisitive and clever. And man is she funny.”

  Mom laughed, and I felt myself relax. “You were just like that at her age.”

  “Yeah?”

  “And you were always so sweet to the other kids, especially the littler ones. Which is why it doesn’t surprise me at all that you’re a nanny.” I felt my chest warm from her comment.

  “It doesn’t embarrass you that your twenty-six-year-old son is a nanny?” I asked.

  “No,” she said immediately. “It’s a noble job. What you do is hard work. To love a child, to care for them as if they were your own, but ultimately to know you’ll say goodbye—that’s not an easy thing to do.”

  I nodded, knowing how much I’d miss Sophia when the summer was over. Gabby would come back from Colombia, and I would return to classes full time. And Alexis… I sighed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  It wasn’t something I wanted to discuss, especially not with my mom. “Nothing. I should probably get going.”

  “Wait,” she said. “A letter arrived for you from the university. I didn’t open it, but it looks important. Do you
want me to forward it to you?”

  “Can you just tell me what it says?”

  “Of course.”

  I could hear the sound of paper tearing and then a pause. She sucked in a shaky breath, and my anxiety grew with every moment that passed.

  “What is it?” My heart pounded, and I bolted upright. “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, honey.” I knew from the tone of her voice that I wasn’t going to like what she’d say next. But I was completely unprepared for the words that came out of her mouth. “Your scholarship. It’s gone,” she whispered.

  My eyes went wide, and I leaped up from the couch. “What do you mean…gone?”

  I was trying not to panic as I paced the floor. Surely there must be some mistake. I needed those funds. I was counting on them to finish my final year of school.

  “Dear Mr. Hawthorne,” she read. “We regret to inform you that your scholarship will no longer be available. The money was invested with a brokerage firm that mismanaged the funds and has now gone defunct. We are working with law enforcement to try to recover the funds, but it may take some time.”

  This was a joke, right? I was waiting for someone to pop out and yell “Gotcha!” Yet, no one did.

  “The FBI has informed us it may take years to recover, but even that is unlikely. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we hope this will not prevent you from continuing your education.”

  She finished reading, and we were both quiet after that.

  Shit.

  “What are you going to do?” she finally asked.

  “My placement with Sophia pays well. I’ll just have to try to get placed quickly when this one ends.”

  “Your dad and I—”

  “No, Mom,” I interrupted. “I’m not taking any more money from you and Dad.”

  She sighed. “Okay. Well, I guess the important thing is keeping your placement with Sophia. That will help, and hopefully her mom will give you a great recommendation.”

  Not at this rate, I thought. At this rate, I was going to be lucky if I kept my job. Which meant that I needed to back off with Alexis. I needed to go back to being professional. I needed to start thinking more about my future and less about screwing my boss.

  Chapter Nine

  Lauren raised her glass for a toast. “To new developments.” She grinned. “Your new property—gorgeous, by the way. And congrats on closing that big deal. Ten mil—that is sick.”

  I laughed, clinking my glass against hers. “Thanks.”

  It was sick. It was the most expensive home I’d listed to date, with a commission to match. And since I owned the real estate brokerage, I wouldn’t have to share my earnings with anyone. It was also a ton of pressure.

  “This is huge for you, for your office,” she said.

  I nodded, sipping my cocktail. It was. It was the type of opportunity I’d been working for. It was the type of opportunity most would kill for. Now I just had to find a buyer.

  She frowned. “Why aren’t you more excited?”

  “I am. I’m just…” I sighed.

  “Just…?” She pushed her head forward, moving it from side to side.

  I couldn’t keep it in any longer. And I knew Lauren would never judge me, even if I was totally judging myself for what I’d done.

  “Something happened with Preston the other night.” I kept my attention focused on the wineglass as I toyed with the stem.

  “With you and Preston?” she asked.

  I nodded, unwilling to meet her gaze. “He sort of, um, kissed me.”

  “Sort of?” she asked. “How does someone ‘sort of’ kiss you?”

  “Okay,” I huffed. “He kissed me.”

  “Did you kiss him back? How was it?”

  I met her eyes, knowing there was no turning back now. “Yes. And it was amazing.”

  “Oh, girl.” She grabbed my hands, nearly bouncing in her seat. “Give me all the juicy details.”

  I told her a condensed version of what had happened. At first, I felt lighter for sharing my burden. But by the time I finished, I didn’t know what to think.

  “Damn. That sounds hot. Most guys are so wham, bam, thank you, ma’am. It’s like, um, hello. I have needs too.” She pointed a perfectly manicured nail at herself, and I laughed.

  “Seriously.” Her expression was contemplative. “Who knew the younger manny would take things slow?”

  Oh god. I’d kissed the manny.

  I groaned, sliding my hands forward so my head was resting on the table. “What is wrong with me?”

  “Girl, there is nothing wrong with you. It’s biology. Your body is wired to seek out a potential mate. And Preston is hot, young, and great with your kid. Of course, you’re going to be attracted to him,” she said, as if it were really that simple.

  I hadn’t ever really considered having more children. Not that that’s what this was about, but now that Lauren had mentioned it, my mind automatically went there. And Preston—I had a feeling he’d want kids, or at least want the chance to decide.

  I pushed myself up, meeting her eyes, which were kind, understanding. “But I don’t even want to have more kids. I love Soph, but I’m getting too old to have more babies.”

  “Too old,” she scoffed. “Says who?”

  I groaned. “Everyone.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Bullshit.”

  “Okay, well, even if you want to ignore prevailing medical research regarding the risks, I’m still too old for him.”

  “And again, I say, bullshit.” She stared at me, hard.

  She could be unrelenting. It was something I valued about her in business, but as a friend…

  “He’s what—six years younger than you?” she asked.

  “Nine. Nine,” I said again, sobered by the fact. “When he was born, I was about to start middle school. When he was being potty trained, I was going through puberty.” My chest tightened. “When he turned twenty-one and could legally drink, I was…” I couldn’t breathe. “Thirty.”

  “Sweetie.” Lauren placed her hand over mine. “Alexis,” she said in a calm but firm tone. “Take a deep breath. A few deep breaths.”

  “Oh my god. What am I doing?”

  “Right now, you’re freaking out,” she teased, but I didn’t laugh.

  What the hell was I thinking? Was this some sort premature midlife crisis? What was next—a sports car and a boob job? My life was spinning out of control.

  “Alexis,” Lauren said in a stern tone. I snapped my eyes to hers. “It’s going to be okay. It was just a kiss.”

  Just a kiss? Ha! It was so much more than just a kiss. It was the kiss. The best kiss of my life. With a man nine years younger than me. With my daughter’s nanny. I was turning into a perverse sort of cliché.

  “Okay? No, this is not going to be ‘okay,’” I said, using air quotes. “Things have been so awkward since.”

  And I hated it. I hated that I missed his smile. I hated that I missed his flirting. I hated myself for wanting to kiss him again.

  “So, talk to him,” she said.

  “And then what? He could quit, and then I’d be really fucked.” My eyes went wide as another thought occurred to me. “Oh my god. What if he tries to sue me for sexual harassment?”

  Lauren rolled her eyes. “He’s not going to try to sue you. He likes you. And besides, you said he initiated it.”

  Yes, I thought, remembering back to that night. But only after I’d asked him to kiss me.

  “This is such a mess.” I buried my face in my hands and shook my head. “And this is exactly why I don’t mix business and pleasure. Sophia adores him, and I need his help.”

  She was quiet for a moment, sipping her drink as she nodded thoughtfully. But then she got a gleam in her eye, and I knew I wasn’t going to like whatever she was about to suggest.

  “So, treat it like a business proposition.”

  My brows pulled together. “Um…what?”

  “Yeah,” she said, growing more animate
d. “Treat it like a business proposal.”

  I waited for her to elaborate, but when she didn’t, I asked, “Treat what like a business proposal?”

  “Sex,” she said, and I swallowed hard. “With Preston.” She flashed me a wicked grin. “All you have to do is set up guidelines, conditions.”

  I stared at her a minute, waiting for her to tell me she was joking. When she didn’t, I finally said, “You’re serious.”

  She nodded. “Dead serious.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Well, what are the alternatives? Act as if nothing happened? Continue to be tortured for the rest of the summer? Fire him?”

  “No,” I rushed to say.

  She smirked, like she’d expected me to say that. “Just think about it or, actually, don’t. For once in your life, let go. Have a summer fling. Come fall, Gabby will be back, and Preston will have moved on.”

  A knot formed in the pit of my stomach. Moved on? I didn’t like the thought of that—not one bit.

  “There is another option,” she said. “But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  “What is it?” I was desperate. Desperate for a way to fix this situation. My head might be clear on the fact that Preston was off-limits, but I wasn’t sure my heart was on the same page.

  “Go on a date with Mateo.”

  She’d been trying to set us up for months, and I’d always said no. Not that he wasn’t handsome or successful. I’d just never been interested. I was content with my life—it worked for me. And between work and Sophia, I didn’t have the time or desire for a relationship.

  “He’s a nice guy. Hot as fuck and…older.”

  Not hotter than Preston, I thought before chiding myself.

  “How old?”

  “Forty-two.” She took a sip of her drink. “It’s just one date. Go out, eat, see if any sparks fly. If they do—great. You can move on from your crush.

  “If not, at least you tried. And you’ll have shown Preston you’re unavailable.”

  I knew she was right—I had to do something. But was this really the answer? A little voice in the back of my head said that screwing the nanny wasn’t the right answer either.