“Oh, come on, Kat, I’m not doing that.” I roll my eyes and sit back in my seat, hoping it will swallow me up.
The two of them continue to gush and gossip about Mr. Joe Abercrombie, but I don’t want to be a part of it. Cameron and Kat have been my best friends since school, even though they are a couple years older than me. They’re like my older sisters in a way. Mainly because they treat me like a little kid. Always going on about their latest boyfriends and what they get up to, then making fun of me for not having a love life myself.
I sigh to myself, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. These girls mean the world to me.
“Ella, you have to tell me if you ever see him again. You will, won’t you?” Cameron says, looking down at me expectantly.
“Ugh. What makes you think I’ll be seeing him again?” I ask, trying to hide my blushing cheeks behind my hair.
“Oh, come on, I was watching from the window. I saw him go bright red when he helped you up, plus he kept staring after you left!”
“No, he didn’t!” I scoff. “Why would he be interested in me?”
“Sure, Ella! He was probably staring at me anyway!” Kat flicks her hair and strikes a pose, causing us both to laugh.
“I’ve got to get back to work. Enjoy your coffee girls, and let me know if you want anything else.” Cameron heads back to the counter where a customer has been waiting while we talked.
Cameron always gets herself into trouble when Kat and I are here. She probably wouldn’t have this job if her Dad weren’t the owner.
Kat’s phone rings and she gets up to answer it, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I sip my coffee and my eyes wander to the magazines that Kat left behind. I know they’re just tabloids and no doubt contain over-exaggerated stories, but I suppose it couldn’t hurt to read a little bit of it, could it? My eyes flick around the coffee house, making sure no one will catch me reading up on my handsome stranger.
The coast is clear, so I pick up the magazine on the top of the pile and examine the cover.
There’s a picture of Joe Abercrombie on the front, standing outside a high-rise building in New York City. He’s wearing a tight fitting suit and smiling somewhat humbly. He looks so perfect. He really is quite attractive.
I flip through the pages until I find the two page spread dedicated to his interview. There are a few photos of New Rochelle included because in the interview, when asked his plans for the future, he indicated plans to move here.
I blush a little and laugh when I read the account of his response to being asked how he felt about being named the magazine’s most eligible bachelor?
Joe laughs a little shyly and his cheeks flush pink, “Was that a real thing?” he asks, “I thought my assistant was pranking me!”
Aw, I can’t help but melt a little at his shy demeanor.
Joe Abercrombie tackled me to the ground outside my local coffee house, then clumsily helped me to my feet and maybe even checked me out. Does that count as a brush with fame? Not really. Mainly because he was definitely not checking me out. I mean, why would he?
I’m Ella LeBlanc, recently fired teaching assistant who may or may not be about to lose her apartment and forced to move back in with her parents.
Yay.
I roll my eyes and pick up a different magazine. There’s another article about him in this one. ‘Billionaire Dad and Handsome Heartthrob.’
So he’s got a seven year old and he’s really sweet and sensitive. What’s so great about that? I bet he’s a complete snob in real life and never has time for his kid.
Ugh. That wasn’t very nice. I’ll just read one last bit, then put it down.
Interviewer: So is there a lucky lady in your life?
Joe: Of course there is. My daughter is my world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. This move I am planning is so I can be closer to her and cut down on my workload. I’m missing out on watching her growing up.
Interviewer: What a sweet thing to say. Sorry ladies! Looks like he’s taken after all!
I roll my eyes as I throw the magazine back on the table. Dammit. He’s perfect, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. Thanks guys. I thought he was just some cute stranger that I was never gonna see again. Now I know he’s some impossibly perfect, sensitive father, hot guy… that I’ll probably never see again.
“Hey, sorry about that, L.” Kat comes back from her phone call and stands looking down at me in my comfy armchair. “You know you’re going to dissolve into that chair one day,” she laughs as she sits down and picks up her coffee.
“A girl can dream,” I reply.
“So uh, I’ve got some bad news,” she says, attempting to avoid eye contact.
“Alright,” I say, a little suspicious. “What was the phone call?”
“That was my boss. He says we’re not hiring any time soon and there’s not really anything he can do for you. I’m sorry, Ella.”
Great. I can’t even get a job at a pub, even though—not to sound pretentious or anything—I’m well over qualified for it. What was the point of getting all this training to be a teacher if nobody even needs a teacher?
“Oh, that’s okay Kat. I’m sure you tried your hardest.” I smile weakly and finish the last of my coffee. I’m gonna need another one of these if I’m going to be up all night looking for a job.
I get up and head to the counter, where Cameron finishes serving a customer, then turns to me.
“Something up, L?” she asks, “What can I get you?”
“Just the usual. I’m gonna need the energy for job hunting.”
She gives me the sympathy face before she starts my order, “Don’t worry, hon, this one’s on the house,” she says winking at me.
“Thanks, Cam.” Pausing a second, I bite my lip and try to gather some courage, “You sure your Dad doesn’t need anyone else here?”
“Sorry, L. I’m pretty sure the only reason I’m even working here is so he can get away with paying me the bare minimum.”
“Okay. Thanks anyway.” I take my coffee and go back to our table, then sit down and tear open a few more sugar packets before dumping them into my coffee. Then I pour one straight into my mouth. Brown sugar is sure to soothe my worries.
I look up and see that Kat is grinning at me like a crazy woman.
“What?” I ask, my mouth full of sugar.
She holds up the magazine. She’s been reading another article about Joe Abercrombie, and shows me a specific clip.
“Joe looks a little worried as he speaks, ‘I will still have a few days a week when I have to work at the office, so I’ll have to hire a nanny to care for Marnie when I’m not there.”
Oh God, Kat doesn’t think I could be that nanny, does she? Is this going to be another one of her crazy schemes?
“Well, what do you think?” she asks excitedly.
“About what?” I reply, pretending to ignore her and sip my coffee.
“You need a job, he needs a nanny. It’s a match made in heaven!” she shouts at me.
“What is?” Cameron comes over.
“Ella is going to be Joe Abercrombie’s new nanny!” Kat exclaims.
“Uh, no she’s not! I agreed to no such thing,” I snap. I will not let them talk me into this, no matter how much I need it, or want it.
“Oh yeah! I remember reading about that! You could totally do that, L. Kids love you,” Cameron says, her reassuring smile spreading across her face, as she tries to mask her excitement at the thought of me working with a celebrity she has a crush on. I know that if I did happen to get this job they’d mess it up by trying to date him. With my luck I’d find myself performing maid duties instead. I’d end up having to clean up after their one night stands.
“No, not going to happen,” I say. My ass is planted in this comfy chair, and will be until I find a better job.
“Come on, L. You know you’d be great at it. There would be lots of chances for bonuses, and maybe you could even move in, which would help w
ith your apartment problem,” Kat adds.
She does have a point, and something about the look on their faces seems like they are genuinely trying to help me.
“And hey, if he finds you as attractive as it looked like he did, maybe he’ll marry you and that’ll solve all of your problems!” Cameron laughs.
I roll my eyes and laugh along with them, “Alright, I’ll try.”
“Yes!” they both shout.
“Great! Now that you’re going to be Joe Abercrombie’s nanny you’ll be earning loads right?” Cameron laughs nervously, “Cos I’m gonna have to ask you to pay for that coffee after all, because Dad says I can’t give out any more freebies. Sorry.” She bites the tip of her fingernail as I get my money out to pay.
Chapter 3
Joe
So, this is what waiting outside school is like, huh? It’s interesting, I’ll give it that. I just wish people would stop staring at me. I mean, is there something on my face?
In the past, I had my assistant do these things, but that’s exactly why I’m here, to better connect with Marnie. I need to pick her up from school and take her places and whatever else good fathers do. I’ve gotten this far, but it’s not enough. I need to be better.
I got Marnie into the elementary school a few streets down from our new house. She’s only been there a few days, but I think she’s starting to make friends and enjoy herself. She doesn’t tell me much about school, except that it’s really easy.
Checking my watch, I realize I’m a bit early. I could sit down and wait but there’s a group of mothers sitting on the only bench. And they seem to be hoping I’ll notice the tiny space that they’ve left. I suppose I could go over and wait. But the thought of sitting in a tight space, fawned over by married women is not appealing.
Normally I wouldn’t mind, and these women are definitely attractive. After the divorce I was grateful for any attention I could get, and boy did I get a lot of it. But now? I find myself looking more for meaningful companionship. I don’t really have the time right now, anyway. Marnie is my main focus, and I have to make sure she’s doing well before I can even think about myself.
Speaking of Marnie, where is she? Shouldn’t she be here by now?
I see a small group of boys about Marnie’s age running out of the building to meet their parents, eager to get away from school. They are immediately followed by a small group of girls, surrounding my Marnie. It seems everyone is eager to meet the new girl.
The moms on the bench wave, and the group of girls wave back to them. Marnie notices me and waves excitedly. She runs over, jumping into my arms and giving me a big hug.
I lift her off of the ground and her little legs hang down as if she is a rag doll.
“Put me down, Daddy!” she squeals.
Again, I notice people are staring. A few who I had assumed were Marnie’s friends are glaring at her, and their mothers are hurriedly whispering to them.
“Come on Marnie, let’s get on home,” I say, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
Then, just as I turn to go, a little girl runs up to Marnie and gives her a big hug, which is met with apprehension from both of us.
“Hi, Jenna.” Marnie says, politely.
“Marnie, I was just wondering if you wanted to come to my house on Sunday.” Jenna says.
“Wow, Marnie, that’s great. I’m so proud that you’ve made a friend!” I kneel down to her level to encourage her, “I can take you round if you’d like that?”
Marnie nods, “That’d be really fun, Jenna!”
Jenna smiles a little awkwardly.
“Alright, shall we ask your parents if it’s okay then?” I ask, standing and looking around for someone.
One of the moms from the bench comes over, laughing in a sort of ‘brushing the moment aside’ kind of way. She places her hand on my shoulder as she does so, like she’s trying to regain balance.
“Terribly sorry I didn’t introduce myself first, Jenna ran over here without me!” the woman laughs, her hand lingering on my shoulder.
“Oh, that’s okay,” I say. “I’m Joe. Joe Abercrombie. This is my daughter, Marnie.” I ruffle her adorably messy hair.
“I’m Avery, Avery Wallace. This is my daughter Jenna.” Avery finally takes her hand off of my shoulder, although based on the way it had moved to my collar bone, I’m pretty sure she was trying to get away with feeling me up. She puts her hand out to me now for a shake or a kiss, I’m not exactly sure. All I know is that she’s trying desperately to show me the finger that doesn’t contain a ring. I get it, you don’t have a husband anymore.
“Charmed, I’m sure,” she says, a little insistently. Not wanting to appear rude, I shake her hand. She seems a little put off that I didn’t kiss it, but that doesn’t stop her from moving closer to me.
“So our little darlings are planning a play date I hear? How cute. Sunday afternoon, was it?” she asks.
“Uh, yeah. That seems fine to me.” I reluctantly take out my phone, knowing she’s going to try and get my number, “What was the address? I’ll make a note and bring her over around two o’clock?”
“Oh, of course,” she says, reaching for my phone, “Let me put it in for you.”
“Sure,” I say, handing her my phone. She instantly starts tapping away.
“So, how are you finding it here?” she asks.
“Oh, it’s lovely. Quite a change from the city,” I say, trying to keep it light. A few other women are giving us looks as they pass by with their children.
“Right, there you are!” she hands my phone back, “You can pop round and stay for some lunch as well if you like, or maybe I’ll show you around town?”
“Please, call me Joe,” I say, attempting to make my stepping back appear a little less impolite.
She blushes a little and takes her daughter’s hand, “Come on then, Jenna. I guess we’ll be seeing you Sunday, Joe.” I notice she doesn’t even acknowledge our daughters.
“Bye, Marnie!” Jenna says.
“Bye, Jenna!” Marnie replies. Marnie then turns to me, looking like she’d really like to leave. I take her by the hand and get moving toward the car.
“Is that going to happen a lot?” asks Marnie.
“Is what…?” I reply.
“People pretending to be my friend because of you?”
She sounds really upset. I can’t be ruining her school life already, can I?
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Jenna wasn’t that nice to me in school. She only wanted me to be part of her group to show off that she was friends with the new girl. “
“Right.”
“But then, as soon as her mom realized who you were, she told her to ask me to play on Sunday.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Jenna told me. When you guys were talking, she told me that her mom asked her to do it.”
“Oh. Well, honey, I’m sure she was just trying to help her daughter make friends. Don’t you think?”
“If you say so.”
Marnie always was a little smarter than the average bear cub. I suppose she could have picked up on it, I mean a lot of the mothers were staring at me quite obviously. I don’t want to become a local celebrity at the cost of my daughter. I came out here to get away from all of this. I suppose it’s a small town, and word travels fast.
“I don’t really care though. Those girls aren’t as nice as the boys anyway. They were playing soccer and said I could play, but the girls wouldn’t let me. But I wasn’t gonna be rude, so I’ll just play with them next week.”
“Don’t let anyone else tell you what to do, sweetie.” I smile and pat her head.
“You should follow your own advice, Daddy.” Marnie adds. Am I about to get life advice from my seven year old?
“Jenna’s mom probably fancies you. And you shouldn’t let her boss you around like you let Mom do. You should find someone that likes you, but not because of your pool.”
I laugh to myself, “Yes, you�
��re right, honey.”
“And you do need to find somebody. You can’t spend all of your time working and playing with me. I need some space, you know.”
Wow, my daughter really is brilliant. I laugh and lift her up onto my shoulders. Squealing, she clings tightly to me.
“Alright, we’re going home to interview people to be your nanny. Then you’ll have someone else to hang out with besides me.”
“But why do I need a nanny? I’m old enough to look after myself!” she fights back.
“I know, sweetheart. But they’ll just be around to help out and look after you while I’m at work. If you like, you can be in charge of them?”
“Yeah? Do I get to boss them around?”
“Well, no. But you can ask them to take you places, and make you food whenever you want?”
“That’s good enough for me, Daddy!”
“Alright then,” I say, as we get to the car, “Let’s get home.”
* * *
Marnie kneels against our coffee table and stares at the Venus fly tap she had me buy for her last week. Her eyes are transfixed on it as a fly slowly wanders around the edges of it.
I’ve been interviewing women for a few hours now, and to be honest, none of them seem like they actually want or need the job. One woman just came by to ask me on a date. Jane doesn’t seem any different. She’s my last candidate and she’s been following me around like a lost puppy, giggling at everything I say as if it is the funniest joke she’s ever heard. It wasn’t even a joke! I don’t see why these women assume that I want a bubble head trophy girlfriend.
“So, what do you think?” I ask Jane. She stares as me for a while.
“It’s such a lovely house you have, and Mary is a sweetie,” she replies, not even looking at Marnie.
“Marnie,” I say.
“Sorry?” she asks.
“My daughter’s name. It’s Marnie.”
“Oh gosh, of course, how silly of me!” Then she does that awful fake laugh again.
“Yes well, it’s an easy mistake. It’s not like I’ve been mentioning her name constantly throughout the interview,” which of course I have been.
Billionaire's Playmate Page 2
