by Kris Bryant
Even the couple in the booth across from us kept glancing my way. I smiled at them, and they returned to their conversation.
“That was embarrassing.”
She waved me off. “Don’t joke with Cassie. Check.” She drew an imaginary check mark with her forefinger.
“Are you kidding? This is great. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Thanks for volunteering at Noah’s school. You didn’t have to, but we both appreciated it.”
“Full confession. I like my job. Noah’s really sweet. The school is gorgeous, and I know he’s getting a top-notch education. He’s smarter than other kids his age. He makes it easy,” I said.
Another genuine smile from Brook Wellington. Happy pings twitched inside me as I tried to play it cool while we finished dinner. This was nice. Anthony came over a few times to chat with us until his employees pulled him back.
“You never answered me about why you’re getting your degree in environmental sciences. What drew you to that field?” Brook asked.
“I’ve always loved botany. Plants are incredible. I learned how delicate our ecosystem is and how that affects everything in life. Very few people care. I mean, we have a ton of organizations that educate, but a lot of people ignore the facts. I want to do something about it.” I refrained from shrugging. I realized I polished my vocabulary and sat straighter in front of Brook. Even though we were in a relaxed environment, I was tense.
“Ah, youth. It’s refreshing.”
I bristled. Visibly.
She leaned forward. “No offense. I mean your ideals and beliefs are nice to hear. I deal with dejected people and ballbusters daily. Your enthusiasm is appreciated. Truly.” She placed her hand on her heart to emphasize her message.
I stared into those stark-blue eyes and saw nothing but sincerity, so I smiled. “I can say ballbusters and that’s okay?” I mock-whispered and looked at Noah.
She covered her mouth. “Oops. Usually it’s just me and Noah at mealtime. I’m not used to adult dialogue.”
We looked at Noah, who was engrossed in his game again.
“I’m so glad I never got involved in video games,” she said.
“Well, don’t visit me. I have all the systems. Not that I have the time anymore, but if you need guidance, suggestions, or tutoring, I’m your girl.” I pointed my thumbs at my chest and realized that I was too comfortable, so I dropped my hands even though I saw a tiny smile in the corner of her mouth. “I’m pretty sure you were too busy studying and learning the business in prep school to learn Mario and Sonic and whatever games were out.” I stopped. Did I just say that? I got the single eyebrow lift. Fuck. I did. “Well, you know what I mean. Games have improved so much just the last few years.”
“Want to stop while you’re ahead?” Her voice was slightly menacing, but the smirk on her face told me she was teasing.
“Definitely. Thank you.”
“Ladies, and sir, how was everything?” Anthony showed up a final time, putting his hand on Brook’s shoulder. She relaxed and leaned into him.
“Fantastic. Best chicken I’ve ever had. Next time I’m getting the cheeseburger, because that looked amazing, too.”
“Thank you. The chicken is our most popular dish. Except for the seafood specials.”
Noah asked me a question, and I had to break away from their conversation to answer him, even though I was trying hard to listen to what they were saying. Thanksgiving was going to be at the restaurant, and all the Wellingtons were invited and expected to bring whatever they wanted or nothing at all. Anthony’s wife and her sister would cook the bulk of the meal. Brook volunteered something, but Noah’s explanation of the quest he was on drowned out the rest of her words.
“I’ve invited Cassie, too.”
“That’s great. You don’t have to bring anything. It’s a very casual, fun day,” Anthony said.
Noah rolled his eyes. “I’m like the only kid.”
“That’s not true. You have two cousins who’ll be here,” Brook said.
“They’re too young to play with.”
“Come early, and you can help me in the kitchen. I heard you like to watch Patrick cook. Maybe you could cook the turkey,” Anthony said.
“No way. I can’t cook. I’m six,” Noah said.
“You can still help. Then you won’t be so bored.”
Brook stood and helped Noah slip his jacket on. I guess we were done. I shook Anthony’s hand and complimented him again on the food.
“See you next week,” he said.
I now had a plan for Thanksgiving. Nana was either going to be disappointed I wasn’t going to my parents’ house or scold me for getting too involved with the Wellingtons. At least I felt welcome.
“Thanks for the invite and for the meal. I had a good time.” I helped Noah into his booster seat and shut the door before turning my attention to Brook. Our eyes met over the top of the sedan. Something passed between us. I didn’t know if it was a spark or a flash of desire, but I knew our relationship had taken a slight turn tonight. I wasn’t just the nanny anymore.
Single nod. “I’ll see you Monday, Cassie.”
I smiled and gave her a single nod back before I slipped into my car and followed her home.
Chapter Ten
I spent more time getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner than I should have. It took forty-five minutes to fix my hair, fifteen minutes to perfect the very-little-makeup look, and ten minutes to contort into clothes that I should have slipped on before I even started with hair and makeup. Damn, I looked good. My boots gave me the height that also boosted my confidence. I grabbed my keys and headed to the garage. Brook texted that she was going there early with Noah so he could help. Dinner was at three. It was only a ten-minute drive, but I wanted to be early and sit in a corner watching the family, instead of walk in late and be the center of attention.
There were so many cars in the parking lot already. I took three deep breaths before I opened my car door and walked into the restaurant.
David Wellington spotted me immediately. “Cassie. Come on in. Let’s show you around.” He introduced me to his wife, Camila, whose resemblance to Brook was unmistakable. Same light-blond hair and piercing blue eyes, except her hair was cut in a stylish bob.
“I understand you’ve been such a help to Brook. Noah talks about you nonstop. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” She shook my hand and squeezed it before letting go.
“Thank you for allowing me to share Thanksgiving with your family,” I said.
“Let’s go meet some people.”
I met Brook’s uncles, aunts, and cousins and remembered none of their names. The crowd was overwhelming. I looked down when I felt tiny fingers tug my hand.
“Cassie. You’re here,” Noah said.
I excused myself from the conversation and bent down so that my face was even with his.
“Hello, gorgeous.” I brushed his hair away from his forehead. “How was cooking? Did you make all of it yourself?” I exaggerated my voice, and he smiled at me.
“I pasted the turkey.”
“You pasted the turkey? Do you mean basted it? Like with a giant eye-dropper thingy?” I knew how to speak six-year-old.
He nodded.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t out here when you arrived,” Brook said.
I looked up and felt light-headed. Brook was wearing slacks and a V-neck sweater that showed off her beautiful skin. Her hair was down and wavy. She looked incredible. As beautiful as Brook was every day, this casual, chic look left me breathless.
“I forgot your hair is wavy.” That’s the thing I say to my boss? Not thanks for inviting me or I’m so happy to be here, but your hair is wavy?
She smirked and lifted her eyebrow.
I shook my head. “What I meant to say was hi. Thank you for inviting me.”
“I hear you’ve met my family. Well, except for my sister.”
“Cassie, sit by me, okay?” Noah asked.
“Let’s just wait a
nd see, okay, buddy?” Noah nodded and left to go play with his smaller cousin, per Brook’s request.
“Where’s your sister?”
“She’s chronically late, but on her way.” Brook handed me a glass of wine. “It’s the house, but it’s very tasty.”
It was a little dry for my taste, but I wasn’t going to complain. I was sharing space with a woman I admired and admittedly crushed on. I drank it.
“You look nice.”
“So do you. It’s good to see you relaxed.” I blocked out the night she was on her date. Every time my mind conjured up Brook in her sexy, open-back dress from the Pearl, I tamped it down. I couldn’t afford for her to take up more of my time, even if my thoughts were pure fantasy.
“It’s nice to be relaxed. We aren’t allowed to talk about business during the holiday get-togethers or family dinners. My mother won’t let us.” She leaned a little closer and whispered, “She’s the hard-ass of the family.”
I looked for Camila and pointed my glass to the other side of the restaurant. “I think you’re safe. And I seriously doubt that she’s a hard-ass.”
She shrugged. “You just met my mother. Just you wait.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” I nodded. I didn’t believe her for one second.
“Hi, Aunt Brookie.”
A tiny girl about three or four grabbed Brook around the waist and knocked her off balance. She reached out and grabbed my arm, her fingers grazing my breast in the process. I turned bright red and coughed. Brook muttered a quick apology and squatted down to give her niece a hug.
“Frances, you made it.”
I took Brook’s glass so she could remove her niece’s coat and mittens. “I’m Cassie.”
“Is she your girlfriend?” Frances asked.
I gulped the rest of my drink and was tempted to finish off Brook’s. I stood there and smiled.
“No, sweetie. She’s my friend. Where’s your mom?”
“Talking to Grandpa. Where’s Noah?”
“In the kitchen with Griffin. Why don’t you go find them? It’s almost time to eat.”
A tarnished version of Brook with darker hair and darker eyes approached us. She was striking. “Brookie, how is it we only see each other on holidays, even though we live so close? Now that you have a live-in babysitter, I can drop off Frances, and we can go out for a night on the town.” She was also bitchy. I was taken aback by her rudeness.
“Gwen, meet Cassie. She’s Noah’s nanny and our friend, not my live-in babysitter.” Brook turned to me with her hand on her hip. “I apologize for my sister. She always leaves her filter at home. Cassie, this is Gwen.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed she was your date. I didn’t mean anything by that. It’s nice to meet you.” She waved her hand in front of us as if shooing off a gnat, like trivializing me wasn’t a big deal.
“Same.”
Brook looked at me and gave me the single nod.
“Wellingtons and guests. We are ready for dinner,” Anthony announced while carrying a giant turkey to the table. Several sides were already on the row of square tables pushed together to make one huge table.
I had no idea where to sit, so I stood around until David started pointing to chairs. I got seated next to Brook’s cousin, George, and Anthony’s wife, Erica. Brook and Noah sat directly across from me, which made Noah happy and me extremely nervous. I gladly accepted another glass of wine as bottles were being passed around.
David clinked his knife against a crystal glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Family and friends. Thank you for being here for the Wellington tradition. Anthony has cooked a beautiful meal for all of us to enjoy. I’m proud of him and all of my children. Brook is doing a fantastic job with the businesses, and Gwen has done more work with our charities than ever before. Our family is strong and supportive, and I couldn’t be happier.”
I tried to pay attention, but my mind wandered to my own family and our struggles. What was going on at the house? Did Nana make the sweet potatoes this year, or did she only make the rolls? My mother had the meal catered because she couldn’t take the time to cook, but my Nana always made something because she felt it was necessary and helped the experience feel more like a family affair. The clinking of glasses interrupted my thoughts as everyone toasted one another. I reached out and tapped Noah’s water glass. It was a good thing I had a long reach, or else my enthusiasm would have been embarrassing.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Cassie.” Brook’s tone was low and sultry, and even though I’m sure it was innocent, a wave of hunger rippled through me.
I tilted my glass back at her. “Thank you again for inviting me.”
Once dinner started, it was hard to have a conversation with anyone other than the person sitting next to you. Hearty laughter and storytelling by the person who spoke the loudest punctuated the low murmur of voices. It was hard to keep up with conversations, but I always perked up when I heard Brook’s name.
“So how long have you been working with Brook?” Erica asked. She filled our glasses.
I liked her. She seemed genuine and was clearly supportive of Anthony and his dreams. And she didn’t treat me like the help, unlike Gwen, who barely registered I was there. I was thankful she was sitting at the other end of the table.
“Since school started about three months ago. Noah’s such a good kid.”
“He really is. And he’s so good with Griffin. I know he wishes Griffin were older, but in a couple of years, they’ll have more in common and Noah won’t feel like he’s babysitting all the time. So, tell me more about yourself. Brook said you’re a student?”
Her eyes were only on me, so I knew she was actually interested. I poured another glass of wine and told her everything. It only took a few questions for me to open up. I’d like to think I was fair to my story, but the wine clouded my memory of the moment.
“I’m sure your parents were doing what they thought was best, but good for you for getting out and proving them wrong.” Erica toasted me and we both giggled.
“Okay, okay. I think you both have had too much wine.” Anthony replaced our wineglasses with coffee. “It’s pie time anyway. The coffee will taste better than the wine, trust me.” He leaned down and kissed Erica’s cheek.
Anthony was right. Most people were up and about, spread out and talking in groups. The desserts were on a separate table, buffet style.
“How’s it going over here, you two?” Brook asked. She slid into the chair next to me.
“I really like her, Brookie,” I said. I looked at Brook’s lips, her gorgeous full red lips, and leaned forward. The need to be close to her was overwhelming. I was tired of always being on guard around her. Today was nice.
“Yeah, I bet you do. Why don’t you stay here, and I’ll get you a piece of pie to go with that hot coffee.”
“No, no. I’ve got this.” I stood up, felt the room spin once, then sat back down. “Okay, maybe not.”
“Both of you. Stay here. I’ll be back,” Brook said.
I watched her walk away, admiring her form and the sway of her hips. “She’s really attractive.”
“Agreed. I hope that when I’m almost forty, I’ll look that good,” Erica said.
“You look good, too.” I meant that. Erica was cute and perky and had a nice body. She just wasn’t as curvy as Brook.
“It’s hard to stay in shape being a mom, working full-time, and being married to a chef.”
“A phenom chef.”
“Exactly. And then I have to eat pie.” She took the plate from Brook and fake-cried while she took the first bite.
“Thank you,” I said to Brook. Much to my surprise, she sat next to me again. “Where’s Noah?”
“He’s with Anthony and Griffin in the kitchen. You don’t have to worry about him. Tonight you’re our guest.”
I leaned closer to her. “You have a really nice family.”
Erica put her hands on my leg as she bent forward to hear what I was saying to Br
ook, but she slipped, and her face landed in my lap. I burst out laughing, as did she. Within seconds we were laughing so hard we couldn’t catch our breath. Brook helped Erica back upright in her chair because I was too busy wiping away tears to help.
“All right. Okay. Erica, stay here,” Brook said. She turned to me and pointed. “And you stay here, too. I’ll be right back.”
“Are we in trouble?” I asked.
“No. Brook wasn’t mad. I’ve seen her mad before, and this isn’t it.”
“Let’s drink our coffee. Maybe that’ll make her happy,” I said. We were two tipsy women trying to play it cool. Thank goodness nobody was paying attention to us. “It’s hot, so be careful,” I warned her after burning my tongue on the bitter brew. I knew Brook liked her coffee black, but I was a cream-and-sugar kind of girl. “And really strong.”
“Cassie, put on your coat.”
“Wait. Are we leaving already?” I stood and wobbled. Both women reached out to steady me.
“It’s probably a good idea. Come on. Let’s say good-bye.”
“Crap. How much did I drink?”
“Probably a glass too much.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.” I waited until I was balanced, hugged Erica, who wobbled with me, and followed Brook to her parents.
“It was so nice to meet you, Mrs. Wellington. Thank you for inviting me. I had a wonderful time.” I heard myself stress the word wonderful even though I was trying hard not to seem drunk.
“Cassie, you’re such a delight. Take care, and I hope to see you soon.” Camila hugged me.
“You should come by and visit,” Brook said. “Noah and I would love to see you.”
“I’ll do that,” Camila said.
I believed her. I waved a little too enthusiastically to Brook’s cousins on my way out the door. “Hey, we can’t forget Noah.”
“He’s fine. Anthony’s going to drop him off tonight. Let’s get you home.”
I managed to get into the car and close the door, but couldn’t latch the seat belt. Brook reached over to help.
“Quit wiggling and stop looking down. Move your hands. You’re not helping.”
