by Kris Bryant
“Well, you weren’t kidding when you said this place was one of your favorites.” Trina leaned closer to me as the crowd of people around the bar thickened.
“My friend works here. She’s great. You’ll like her.” I turned to Rick. “Hey, is Lacy working tonight?”
“Yeah. She’s got the private dining room. She already has the drink order, but I’m sure she’ll be back up here in a few.” Rick slid a tumbler of amber-colored scotch in front of me, added a few drops of water, and waited for me to taste it. “It’s eighteen years old. Legal.”
I sniffed, took a tiny sip, and let it rest on my tongue. “It’s good. Really good. What is it?”
Rick handed me a bottle of Highland Park. Scotch was a drink I was just getting a taste for, though my go-to was always a martini or a gin and tonic.
“I like it. I approve.”
I turned to Trina. “Would you like a sip or your own glass?”
She reached for mine, and I watched her lips cup the crystal rim and her tongue flit across them after she took a sip. Trina had full lips, the kind I wanted to press mine against. She grimaced and handed back the glass.
“I’ll stick with my wine. That’s a bit strong for me.”
Rick left us to wait on customers at the other end of the bar. I finally had Trina all to myself.
“Okay. Fall festival. My job. And go.”
She smiled at my playfulness. “We need volunteers to run the booths. I’m doing the caramel-apple booth and would love your help.”
“I’m allergic to apples.”
Her eyes widened. “Shut up. Really?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m just playing. I’ll gladly help you with the apples.”
She laughed and touched my knee. “I like that you’re playful. The booths will be set up, but I’ll need help making the caramel and slicing the apples to order.”
“Caramel’s delicious. This is the best volunteering job I’ve ever had.”
“It’s hard work. The festival is from ten until six, which means I need you there by eight. Is that too early?” She cringed.
“No. I’m up early on the weekends.” Not true, but she didn’t need to know that.
“This is the best news I’ve had all week.” She finished her glass of wine and signaled Rick for another. “I should probably eat something like an appetizer. Have you had anything yet?”
“I ate with Noah about an hour ago, but I could go for an appetizer or two. What sounds good to you?” I leaned forward as she looked over the menu. She smelled clean, like lavender and baby powder.
Her breath was warm against my cheek when she turned to face me. “I could go for the lobster dip and maybe the crab cakes?”
I didn’t lean back. We were in each other’s personal space, but neither of us moved. Tonight had just taken a turn. I went from wondering if she was a lesbian to how I could sneak her into my apartment without anybody finding out. “That sounds delicious.” A guy who was too drunk to be standing around bumped me from behind, and the moment was gone.
“Sorry, babe,” he said.
I rolled my eyes and turned to Trina. “Let me see if I can score us a table.” I headed to the hostess stand and asked Linda if anything was available. It was Monday night, and even though the bar was hopping, the dining room wasn’t. I worked my way back to Trina, who was politely avoiding the drunk guy. Then I slipped my hand into hers and pulled her gently from the stool.
“Thank you.” She didn’t pull her hand away from mine, and I didn’t shake her loose. We walked into the restaurant hand in hand.
“I have a table in the back. It’s near the kitchen, but not as loud as the bar,” Linda said. We followed her, weaving in and out of tables, until I saw the empty two-guest tables tucked in a corner.
I wasn’t paying attention to anything other than Trina holding my hand, until a flash of long white-blond hair caught my eye to our right. I made eye contact with Brook, and it took a solid five seconds to register it was her. Her eyes went from mine, down to our entwined hands, and back up to my eyes, showing no emotion at all. I was sure I looked guilty as fuck. I felt cold as my confidence slithered away. Just as I was about to stop for no other reason than to explain myself, us, to her, she gave me her dismissive nod and returned to her company, who was a very tall, very striking woman who gave Brook her total attention. That was definitely a date.
Trina slightly tugged me back. “There’s Brook,” she whispered.
I nodded. “I don’t think she wants to be disturbed, though.”
We sat, and I stupidly took the chair that faced her table. I couldn’t stop staring at her. How did she beat me here? Who was watching Noah? Who was the woman with her? Was this a date? A twinge of jealousy ribboned through my veins. I tried to concentrate on Trina, but I couldn’t focus on anything but Brook. Her back was to me, and the dress she wore revealed a lot of skin. Definitely a date. Sophistication. That was the perfect word to describe everything about her right at this moment. The regal way she sat in her chair with her sexy legs crossed, the graceful way she held her wineglass, and the lilt in her voice that I heard from here. Definitely sophistication.
“Cassie?” Trina waved her hand in front of my face because clearly calling my name wasn’t cutting it.
“I’m sorry. I’m just so surprised to see Brook here.”
“Really? She’s a beautiful woman. Let her have fun. I can’t imagine she has a lot of downtime.”
“Agreed. I only see her dressed in conservative suits. I don’t see this side of her.”
“The sexy, confident woman who obviously gets what she wants?”
We both sighed. I wasn’t the only one who had a crush on Brook. I didn’t blame Trina, but whatever was happening here wasn’t really going to happen. Not that I didn’t trust Trina, but I didn’t need an unnecessary entanglement that resulted in my termination. It was one thing thinking I could sneak around with Trina, and another going in with Brook knowing I was out with her. My job was more important than getting laid.
“Maybe we should think about dinner instead of appetizers?”
Trina was still on a date. I couldn’t imagine eating food right now. “I can only eat a few bites. If you’re hungry, go ahead and eat. I’ll just order a small plate of something. I really just wanted to get away from the bar. That was crazy.” I was trying to deflect and not bring up Brook, but I was ten feet from her. Somehow, over all the smells in the restaurant from sautéed garlic to freshly baked bread, I could detect her perfume. Trina, who was sitting right across from me, smelled fresh and sweet, but Brook’s spicy perfume a table away kept my attention. It wasn’t strong. It was just her.
“I’ll have the special. Cassie, what do you want?”
I stared at the waitress and wondered how she got there. The control that Brook had over my thoughts tonight amazed me. “Just the crab cakes. The appetizer portion. And an iced tea.” I handed the menu back to the waitress. As much as I wanted to drink my confusion away, I needed to have a clear head. At least until I got out of there.
“You’re having the same reaction my kids have when they see me outside of school. It’s kind of funny. For some reason, it’s hard to see teachers or, in your case, bosses, out in the real world.”
“Nah. I’m all right. Let’s talk about something else.” I played with the empty glass I’d carried from the bar. “Tell me more about you. You like to volunteer for things like the fall festival. And what else?”
She smiled at me and slipped right into an autobiographical account of her adult life. Trina loved cats, reading history books, hiking, and wine. She preferred white, dry wines. She volunteered for everything because she had the time. “What about relationships?”
That question jerked me back into the conversation. “What about them?” I cocked my head and smiled when she mimicked me.
“Are you for them or against them?” She thanked the waitress, who carefully and quickly slipped a glass of water in front of her and handed me
the iced tea.
“Right now, I’m not in a place to commit to anything, but I do like them and all the benefits they offer.” I couldn’t keep my eyes from drifting to Brook. Her arm rested along the back of the empty chair next to her, her fingers running smoothly back and forth across the textured fabric. At that moment she turned her head slightly and flashed a look my way. Our eyes met for the briefest of seconds, and my heart slipped into a higher gear. I sat up a little straighter to keep her attention, but she turned away.
“What do you mean, you aren’t in a place to commit?” Trina asked.
Trina was the girl you took home to your parents. She was the girl who remembered your birthday and made a big deal out of it every year, even though you played it off like it wasn’t important. She would drive by your house when you didn’t feel well just to see if you needed anything. She was perfect for somebody, but it just wasn’t me. Hooking up with her would be detrimental to her and to my working relationship with Brook. Now how the fuck was I going to explain holding her hand to Brook? Did I even need to? “My job is tricky. I work a lot, go to school, and study on the weekends.”
“Come on. I’m a big girl. I can stay out past seven o’clock. A dinner or movie here and there could work.”
She was making it hard to say no. If my boss wasn’t Brook and Trina wasn’t Noah’s teacher, then definitely. “That’s true. And it’s nice to have new friends.” I barely had time for Lacy, but I needed to branch out. I just wondered if we could keep it at the friendship level.
“Then let’s toast to new friends.” She held her glass up, and we clinked to our new friendship. I wondered how long it would last.
* * *
I held my hand against my stomach as I walked into the kitchen for fear that it would lurch when I saw Brook. I’d barely slept, and my dreams were punctuated by visions of her disappointment in me.
“Hi, Cassie.”
Noah was already at the table eating a bowl of cereal, the good kind with sugar. Two percent milk was on the table next to him. Not almond or soy, but straight-from-the-cow goodness.
“Hey, buddy. How was your night?” I placed my messenger bag on the counter and sat next to him.
“It was okay. I went over to Mom’s and played with the twins.” He took another big bite of cereal.
“Twins, huh? I guess I didn’t know that. Cool. I wish I had a twin.” I wanted a bowl of cereal, but my stomach was too unsettled. I also wanted to know the history of the twins and what that meant. Did Noah have half siblings? Were they older or younger? “How is it just now seven and you’re ready for the day? Usually I have to beg and plead for you to get dressed,” I said.
“I stayed the night at Mom’s, and she gets up really early.” His voice held a note of sadness.
“Oh, that makes sense. So you’re telling me that you’ve been up forever. Is Miss Trina going to call me today and tell me you fell asleep in class?”
“No. I went to bed early last night. It’s kind of a rule with the twins.”
That probably meant they were younger. “Did you get enough sleep, though?” We didn’t have a schedule for naps, and I didn’t know if they were encouraged.
He nodded and tipped the bowl to drink the milk. A little dribbled down the side of his cheek that I quickly wiped away with the napkin on the table. “We don’t want you to have to change. I know how you are about clothes.” I pointedly rolled my eyes until he giggled. It was such a sweet sound.
Brook’s clicking heels on the hardwood floors announced her arrival with just enough time for me to sit up straight before she entered the kitchen. She was wearing her dark-gray power suit, my favorite, and black heels, also my favorite. She looked fierce and formidable. I stifled a shiver.
“Good morning, Cassie.”
“Good morning, Brook.”
I watched as she poured herself a cup of coffee, her hands steady and sure. What had happened after I left the restaurant? Did she go home with her date, or did her date go home with her? Oh, my God. Was her date still here? Did I have to get Noah out early?
“I’d like to have a word with you in my study before you start your day,” she said.
Shit. “Right now?”
She looked at me. “If you can, yes.”
“Don’t forget to put your bowl in the sink,” I said to Noah. I followed Brook and her clicking down the hall. She shut the door behind me.
“Let’s talk about last night,” she said.
I sat in the chair opposite her. “Last night was interesting.”
“Not that I want to tell you who you can date, but is it really a good idea to date Noah’s teacher? What happens if he sees both of you leaving your apartment? Or what happens if it doesn’t work out?” When I started to defend myself, she held up her hand. “I’m just telling you to be careful. Situations like this tend to be sticky.”
“Speaking from experience?” I could have kicked myself for asking that. For the first time since I’d known Brook, I saw anger pinch her features. Her brows furrowed briefly, and her eyes narrowed. I swallowed hard but kept my cool.
“I don’t think that’s any of your concern. I just don’t want to put Noah in a bad spot. If he sees you together and something happens, he’ll be right back where he was with me and Lauren. I know you can’t understand that, but I have to protect him. Our breakup was really difficult for him. He’s just now at a place where he trusts her again.”
I knew that dating Trina probably wasn’t a great idea, but Brook’s explanation made me feel like complete shit. “For the record, we aren’t dating. We were out only because she recruited me for Hessick’s fall festival. I was holding her hand to pull her away from the drunk dudes at the bar. We took separate cars there, and I was home before ten.”
Brook leaned back, crossed her arms, and stared at me. At least the anger was gone. I relaxed for the first time since I sat down.
“I don’t feel good about this. Your private life should be your private life. I know living on the estate puts you in a bind, but I also need to do what’s best for Noah.”
I held my hands up in surrender. “I get it. I really do. Lacy was only here one time, and Noah saw her. I’m sure seeing his teacher and his nanny together would be confusing. Dating Trina isn’t going to happen. I don’t have time to date anyway.” I clamped my mouth shut and told myself to stop talking.
“Okay, so we’re done here. Thank you for understanding.”
She stood, indicating we really were done talking. I followed her back to the kitchen, where Noah was playing on his iPad.
“Noah, have a good day. You, too, Cassie.”
I got the single head nod as she grabbed her coffee and left the room and watched her the entire way until she closed the door to the garage. Then I sighed and turned my attention back to Noah, whose attention was on me, not on his iPad.
“What did you and my mom talk about?”
Oh, the fate of my vagina and the sex life I’ll never have as long as I’m your nanny. “Just boring business stuff. I did tell her what a terrific kid you are.” I ruffled his hair as he tried to dodge me. I wasn’t wrong. He really was a great kid.
Chapter Eight
“What do I need to do to get a caramel apple around here?” The gruff voice added to my panic as I stood up from trying to salvage what was left of the sliced apples and my dignity. “Were you hiding?” An older man with perfectly coiffed gray hair and kind eyes smiled at me. Blue shirt, dark blue sweater, wool pants. Everything about him screamed money. Before I had a chance to explain myself, a small voice I recognized well interrupted us.
“Hi, Cassie.” Noah ran up to the counter and stood up on his tippy toes just to see over it.
“Noah. You made it.” I knew he was going to be there. I was just expecting him to be with Brook.
“Cassie. I’ve heard your name a lot lately. Nice to finally meet you. I’m David Wellington, Noah’s grandfather,” the older man said.
“Nice to meet you, too. I
’m going to have to excuse myself because I have a mess that I need to clean up before anybody else sees the utter chaos down here.”
David peeked over the counter to the piles of apple slices that had tumbled out of the barrel and landed on the wooden lid.
“I won’t say a word as long as my order comes from the apples still inside the barrel. And I don’t want to know what’s happening to the caramel.” He pointed to the pot on the burner behind me.
“Shi—” I stopped just short of dropping the t. Burnt sugar wasn’t a good smell. “I’m going to need some help over here.” I stirred the hot caramel, careful to avoid touching the bottom of the pan.
“You had one job.” Trina slid into the booth with me, smiling at my panic. “What happened?”
“A squirrel ran through. Or what I thought was a squirrel. Anyway, I’ve burnt the caramel, and the apple slices were trying to make a quick getaway. Suggestions?”
Trina turned off the burner, grabbed a ladle, and scooped the caramel into a smaller pot. “This will have to work for now. You’ll have to be stingy with the portions until we can cook up more. Rinse off all the apple slices, but throw away the ones that hit the ground. Don’t cut any more. They’ll just have to be made to order.” She was so in control, and I just stood there in the way. “Why don’t you fix Mr. Wellington’s order, and then we’ll clean up.”
I smacked my palm to my forehead. “Of course. Sorry, Mr. Wellington.” I put on fresh gloves, grabbed a bowl, dug out the best apple slices under his scrutiny, and gave him more caramel than I should have, especially since I had to make a whole new batch.
“Hello, Father.”
I stiffened at the voice, knowing full well Brook had arrived. The tingle that traveled up my spine and raised the hairs on my arms was unmistakable. Powerful and sexy. I licked my lips out of nervousness.
“Hi, Cassie. Hi, Trina.” Brook slid into her father’s one-armed embrace and put her hand on Noah’s shoulder.
“Cassie spilled the apples, and Miss Trina had to come over and help,” Noah said.
