Temptation

by Kris Bryant

  Hi Cassie. Can we play Switch?

  It was a text from Noah on Brook’s phone. While the note was endearing, my heart sank that it wasn’t from Brook.

  Where’s your mom?

  Here.

  I assumed she knew he’d invited me over, so I primped for a few minutes, grabbed the Switch, and headed downstairs. The door was open, and Noah was sitting at the counter drinking a glass of milk.

  “Cassie. Hi.”

  “Hey, buddy. What are you doing in here?”

  “I needed a snack. Yay. You brought your Switch. We can play it on here and then play Mario in the living room.”

  I sat and handed him the system, then casually turned in the chair and looked for Brook. I could hear people talking, but I didn’t know if the television was on in the other room or if Brook had somebody over. “Noah, is somebody here besides your mom?”

  “Yeah. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Erica, and Aunt Gwen. They’re having a meeting.”

  I stood. “Noah, does your mom know you invited me down?”

  He looked at me quizzically. “You’re always invited. You’re family.”

  I leaned down to face him. “Honey, you can’t just invite me down without your mom knowing. It’s just better if you tell her.” His eyes started to water, and I immediately backpedaled. “You didn’t do anything wrong, buddy. I’m glad you texted me. You know I love playing games with you. It’s just on the weekends, you need to check with her first.”

  “What are you doing here?” The venom in Gwen’s voice was unmistakable.

  I froze because this was going to be hard to explain, even to Brook.

  “I was invited.”

  Gwen scoffed. “Bullshit. Look at you, all comfortable like you belong here. Guess what? You don’t.”

  I pointed at her. “Watch your mouth around Noah. You might be his aunt, but this is his house, and I’m pretty sure Brook doesn’t like swearing, aunt or not.”

  “Cassie, what are you doing here?” Brook walked in and stood between me and Gwen.

  “Noah invited me. I thought you were okay with it. I’m so sorry I’m interrupting.” I held my hands up and backed away slowly.

  “No, stay. I’m glad you’re here. We all need to talk.” She reached for my hand.

  I tentatively took it and allowed her to lead me into the living room. All eyes were on me the second I entered.

  “Cassie.” Erica hugged me and squeezed my arms when she finally let me go. “It’s so good to see you.”

  Gwen slithered past us to stand next to her parents.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, even though I was a hundred percent sure this was about me.

  “Everyone thinks you’re out for our money.” Gwen’s smile was crooked, borderline evil.

  “Shut up, Gwen. That’s not even true. Quit trying to speak for us,” Erica said.

  Looking around the room, I understood why Brook was so good at masking her emotions. With the exception of Erica, I couldn’t read the room at all. “I didn’t mean to crash your family meeting, but since I’m here, let’s talk about it. What do you want to know?”

  “Not a word, Gwen,” Camila said quickly.

  I held my head high and sat in a chair. “It’s okay. I know Gwen’s opinion.” I wanted this relationship to work, but in order to have everyone’s support, I was going to have to fight for it.

  “Cassie, this is not an inquisition. You don’t have to be here.” I could hear the discomfort in Camila’s voice.

  “Oh, I want to. What have I missed so far? Or should I take a stab at it?” I really wanted to get up and pace, but I needed everyone to know I could handle a conversation that involved my reputation, my integrity, and my intentions, so I crossed my ankles and rested my hands in my lap. “I get it. You guys are old-money wealthy. I would be skeptical of everyone, too. Here’s the thing, though. I took this job because I needed it. I didn’t single Brook out. I didn’t demand the job. Hell, I didn’t even know she was looking for someone.”

  “If it wasn’t Brook, it was going to be somebody else,” Gwen said.

  “To nanny for? Definitely. To fall in love with? No. You can’t plan that.”

  “Sweetheart, you’re so young. Do you even know what love is at your age?” Camila took a few steps toward me.

  “No disrespect, Camila, but weren’t you pregnant with Brook when you were my age? I’m not as young as you all make me out to be. I deserve love, too.” I had to stand. Too many people looking down on me was hard to take.

  “Good point, Cassie.” Erica was practically cheerleading.

  “I don’t need your money. I don’t need Brook’s money. I’m not sure if Brook told you, but my grandmother left me very comfortable. I don’t even need this job anymore, but I love it. I love Brook and I love Noah, and I still want to get my degree and make a difference in their lives and hopefully in the world. Brook and I haven’t discussed feelings at all, but she has to know how I feel about her.” I glanced at her, but she remained emotionless.

  “You’ve barely started your life, Cassie. How do you know this is what you want?” Camila asked.

  “How do you know it’s not?”

  “Cassie, I’m fourteen years older. When I’m fifty, you’ll be thirty-six. That’s a big difference. I’d hate to think you gave up anything for me,” Brook said.

  While I appreciated Brook breaking up the exchange, I hadn’t expected her sentiment, or lack thereof. I held my hands up. “Nobody’s listening to me.” I turned to Erica when she made a small noise. “Except for you, and I love you for it. Every single person here got the chance to love somebody and make a life together when they were my age. None of you had a guarantee it would work out. I’m not saying this will turn into what you all have, but at least give us the chance to try. My intentions are true.”

  “Okay. I’m done being quiet.” Erica stood up and joined our weird little circle in the middle of the room. “Cassie’s right. Every single one of us had obstacles, and every single one of us had a chance. This isn’t our decision. This is between these two. Cassie’s heart is in the right place. We all know her. She’s wonderful with the kids. She cares for Brook. Look at her face. Short of tattooing it on her forehead, the message is clear.”

  Again, all eyes were on me. I was already flushed from anger and defending myself, but I reddened even more.

  “I just don’t want to see Brook being taken advantage of. You know what happened the last time. Hell, the nanny’s already driving her car and living on the property. How long before she’s on the bank accounts?”

  “That’s enough, Gwen,” Brook hissed.

  “You don’t see it because sex is clouding your judgment.”

  “Don’t you wish you were lucky like me,” Brook said.

  “All right. Listen up. I understand Gwen’s concern,” David said.

  My heart fell. He’d been quiet this whole time, and I hoped his silence was because he was on my side, but I wanted to let his daughters hash it out.

  He walked over and put his arm around Brook’s shoulders. “But this is none of our business. Erica’s right. We know Cassie. And everybody here has had their share of scandal. People are always going to look for a weakness in the Wellingtons. It’s our job as a family to stick together and support one another. Gwen, if Brook and Cassie want to date, let them. If people want the scoop on their relationship, then I’m sure you’ll defend it or say nothing at all. That’s what Wellingtons do. Are we clear?”

  And just like that, the tension in the room fizzled. When David Wellington made up his mind, the whole family apparently did.

  Camila pulled me to the side. “I know you care for our Brookie, but just know she’s had a lot happen in her life, and I don’t want to see her hurt. I think you’re wonderful, and you might just be what she needs.”

  “I promise I have no desire to hurt her or Noah. I really care for both of them.” I clutched her arm harder than I should have because I wanted her to know that I was seriou
s.

  She patted my hand until I released the pressure and apologized. “I know, dear. My heart is telling me to trust you.”

  “I really appreciate your support.”

  “Cassie? Are we going to play?”

  Noah’s little voice silenced the room. Even Gwen stopped scowling.

  I reached for his hand and smiled when his little fingers slipped into mine. “Hey, buddy. We sure can. Why don’t you set it up, and we’ll play?”

  “That’s our cue,” David said. He motioned for everyone to leave, hugging Brook and ruffling Noah’s hair on the way out. He gave me a wink. It was enough to make me smile.

  “I expect to hear from you in the very near future. Let’s do dinner at Ruby’s this week, okay?” Erica said. She moved in closer so that only I could hear her. “Bring Brook, or not.”

  I laughed and nodded. “You’re on. Hey, and thank you for believing in me.”

  Ten minutes later, Noah and I were in an otherwise empty living room playing a game. I was desperate to find Brook, but she had to finish up with her family.

  “I’m beating you,” he said, enthusiastically.

  “You are. You really are.” By the time I paid attention, it was too late. I’d lost. He jumped up and whooped.

  “Yes! I finally beat you. I won!”

  I applauded his victory dance and didn’t blame him one bit.

  “That’s not good sportsmanship, Noah. You know better.” Brook walked into the room and sat beside me. Her warm fingertips pressed into my neck, giving me a soft massage.

  “I’m sorry. Good game, Cassie.”

  I shook his tiny hand and challenged him to another. He wasn’t going to be happy playing for only ten minutes. Brook knew, though. She was patient and cheered for both of us as she watched us battle for control of the road. An hour later, she told Noah game time was up and he had to go upstairs and read.

  “But, Mom. It’s the weekend. I can read later.”

  “You’re the one who signed up for extra reading. You want to win the prize at the end of the school year, don’t you?”

  “What’s the prize? A car? A motorcycle? A puppy? Oh, say it’s a puppy.”

  Brook nudged me with her foot. Oops.

  Noah laughed. “No. It’s a limo ride for me and three friends. And they rent out a theater, and we see a movie. Just us.”

  “Oh, I wonder if I can go?” I said. Noah shrugged. “Well, you’d better go read so you can win it.”

  He jumped up and raced out of the room. We waited until we heard his feet on the stairs.

  “So, that was something, huh?” Brook touched my arm.

  I grabbed her fingers and laced them with mine. “First of all, I truly thought you knew I was coming down. I’m sorry for interrupting your family meeting, but at the same time, I’m glad I did.”

  Brook scooted closer to me and rubbed her thumb on my bottom lip. “We should talk about what all was said.”

  I sat up straighter. “I really want to try this, Brook. I know you’re worried about the age gap, but I’m not.”

  “You say that now, but what’s it going to be like in ten, twenty years?”

  I pulled her closer and looked into her beautiful eyes, momentarily forgetting my train of thought. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She smiled. “Focus, Cass.”

  “Right. In ten years, we’ll be ten times better than we are now. In twenty years, we’ll be unstoppable.”

  “You’re such a romantic.” She looked away, seeming to listen to the sounds in the house, then leaned back to kiss me. “Let’s talk about what else you said.”

  I froze. “What did I say? I mean, I said a lot of things all at once. A lot of really powerful people were just grilling me in this very room.”

  She softly kissed me and rested her forehead against mine. I felt her hand at the base of my neck, holding me next to her. “You told everyone in this room that you love me, except you never told me.”

  My heart fluttered. Shit. I’d come in guns blazing and rescued the princess before I professed my undying love to her. I tried to pull away, but she held me in place. “Yeah, I wanted to tell you before all of this with your family happened, but I never got the chance. Plus, I knew you were hesitant, and I didn’t want to scare you.”

  “You still haven’t told me.”

  I didn’t hesitate again. “I love you. I have for a long time, and I hope you give me the chance to show you.”

  She tucked my hair behind my ear and rubbed my cheek. “You’re the beautiful one, Cassie. I’m sorry I’m so guarded, but as you know, I have good reason to be.”

  “I promise I won’t hurt you. I have no reason to. I understand you have Noah and want to protect him. We can go at whatever pace you want. Please just give us a chance.” She nodded and my heart swelled. I couldn’t sit any longer. I stood and pulled her into my arms. “Tell me you feel something for me. Maybe it’s not love, but I know something’s there.”

  She put her fingers to my lips. “Stop talking. Of course I love you. You’ve brought so much happiness to my life and to Noah’s. You put up with my attitude and directness with ease. You see through all of it. You see and love me. Me.”

  “I wish you knew how perfect you are. For me. For Noah.”

  “What do we do now?” she asked.

  “Well, we can keep this private until Noah finds out or we tell him. I’ll continue to be the nanny from seven to seven and your doting girlfriend before and after hours. You can text me, call me, sext me, whatever you want.”

  Brook looped her arms around my waist. “Such a temptress you are.” She kissed me quietly, but within seconds, we had to pull apart before we got carried away.

  “You’ve got it all wrong. You, Brooklyn Addison Wellington, were always my perfect temptation.”

  Epilogue

  We managed to hide our relationship from Noah for three months. Even then, he probably knew.

  “Cassie. Are you awake? Want to play a game?”

  I blinked awake and thought for sure I was dreaming. Noah was a foot from my face. I turned over and reached for Brook. Her warm, soft body was close. She snuggled back against me when she felt my touch.

  Somebody was shaking my shoulder. “Cassie, I know you’re awake. Come on.”

  My eyes flew open. Holy shit. I wasn’t dreaming. “Um, Brook. Brook. Wake up.” I gently shook her.

  She rolled over and snuggled against me, a slight purr of contentment escaping her lips.

  “Mom, can Cassie come down and play with me?”

  Brook opened her eyes immediately, and we stared at one another for several seconds.

  “Noah, did you knock before you came into my bedroom?” Brook propped herself up on her elbow to see his face, directly over my shoulder. He had crawled up onto the bed so he was almost leaning over us. Thank God the blankets were covering our nakedness.

  “I did, but it was unlocked so I came in.”

  Brook looked at the clock. “Noah, it’s not even seven. Let’s have a rule where you don’t wake us up until eight on the weekends. Give us time to sleep in. Go downstairs and eat a bowl of cereal if you can’t wait for me to cook breakfast. We’ll be down later.”

  He jumped off the bed. “Okay. See you later.”

  “Close the door behind you,” I yelled. He returned, smiled, and closed it. And just like that, we were outed.

  “That didn’t last long,” I said. I turned to Brook. “How are you with this? You good?”

  She snuggled deeper under the covers and rubbed her hands over me. “He seems completely unfazed. Almost as if he already knew.”

  “I didn’t tell him.”

  Her laugh was low and throaty. “I’m sure you didn’t. He’s just a smart kid.”

  I rubbed her back and placed little kisses on her forehead. “Are you okay with this?”

  “Stop talking. I’m still sleeping.”

  That was her way of telling me she was good. Once we decided to go forward with our r
elationship, it was almost flawless. I was the nanny until seven, but I ate dinner with them every night. Sometimes I brought my homework and sat with Noah at the table. Sometimes the three of us played board games.

  Once the school year was over, I planned to give up my position as nanny. Brook wanted me to apply to intern at Wellington’s Green Alliance Organization this summer. Because I was keeping the apartment, I told her I’d still be available to work with Noah when school started in the fall. I wasn’t keen on the idea of Noah getting a new nanny, but she didn’t want me to be her girlfriend and his nanny. I told her we’d revisit the discussion at the end of Noah’s summer.

  “Maybe I should go downstairs and check on him. Just to see how he’s doing.” I was nervous about how he’d taken what he saw and knew he’d probably have questions.

  “Close the door behind you. And put on some clothes.”

  “Yes, Boss.” I kissed her cheek and slipped out from the warm covers, then found lounge pants and a T-shirt in Brook’s closet. I had finals next week and needed the time to study, so getting up early was a necessity. This semester wasn’t going to be all As like the last one, but I was close and had way more important things to think about than perfect grades.

  “Cassie, want to make breakfast?” Noah was sitting at the counter playing on my Switch.

  “Do I want to? I suppose I could make bacon and eggs and cinnamon toast. How’s that sound? Better than cereal?”

  He nodded. “I can help.”

  His little face was so bright and beautiful I couldn’t help but squeeze his cheeks. “You can make the toast. How do you want your eggs?” He watched me sauté mushrooms and offered to add cheese when I started scrambling the eggs. “Maybe you’ll be a chef when you grow up.” He shrugged. “Okay, champ. What do you want to be when you get older?”

  “A pilot. Or a superhero. Or a truck driver.”

  “Well, I think your mom will be proud of whatever you decide to do.” I was sure Brook was out on the truck driver job, but she also wasn’t going to force him into something he didn’t want to do. We’d already had that talk. Given her history, Noah was being given a clean slate. And he had all the money he’d ever need to live comfortably, even if he wanted to be a surfer in Australia.