Page 110 of A Whole New Play

“I’m saying you have no business speaking to these kids.”

“Actually, I do,” she snaps back. “I know their dad. We’re old friends.”

And there it is.

I’d suspected this had something to do with Abby and Andy being the children of a hot, famous, football star.

“That’s great,” I deadpan. “But knowing their dad doesn’t mean you know them. So, again, could you please not speak to them?”

I gently tug on the twins’ shoulders to guide them backward. “Come on guys. Let’s go look at some of the other projects.” To be honest, I’m not interested in any kid’s project aside from the twins, but I need an excuse to get us away from this unsettling woman.

“You’re their nanny, not their mom,” the woman snaps. “Stop trying to take Laura’s place.”

Her words freeze me in place.

Does she really know Carter’s ex?

I look down at the twins and frown. Is this woman Laura’s friend?

Did I misread this situation?

Is she here on behalf of her friend to put me, Carter’s girlfriend, in my place?

“My mom doesn’t know you,” Abby replies, sounding so sure of herself that I dismiss the doubt trying to take root in my mind.

The woman’s scowl turns into a tight smile when she addresses Abby, “Your mom and I used to be good friends.”

Key words there are used to be.

I clear my throat. “Come on guys,” I prompt again. “I see a painted skeleton over by the stage.” I begin to steer them in that direction. A sharp tug on my ponytail forces me to stop.

“What the—” I turn around and am met with a fierce-looking blonde woman in my face. I take a step back, bumping into the kids. I push them to stand behind me without taking my eyes off the lunatic in front of me.

“Do you actually think Carter Jones is into you?” Her eyes run over me with disdain.

Did she really just pull my hair?

“You need to leave.” I refuse to engage her in a conversation about my love life.

“He’s just using you to get over Laura. That’s why he’s only kissed you in public once. You’re just his nanny. He’s embarrassed to be seen with you.”

I don’t know what it is about her toxic speech, but a thought hits me. And I’m finally able to identify how I know this woman.

“You were in Minnesota.” I remember seeing her staring at me across the street outside of the hotel. Just before Carter kissed me. “You’re the one who took the picture of us.”

Surprise flickers over her expression before it’s swiftly replaced with irritation. “So?”

So?

So, this means you’re a stalker...

I keep the words to myself. Confronting a stalker doesn’t seem smart. Not when I have the kids’ safety to consider.

I scan the room for a swift exit when I hear, “Valerie?”

Relief flows through me.

I look left and see Carlee and Corey walking through the crowd. Carter’s sister watches me with concern, her eyes darting to the woman standing too close for comfort before landing on her niece and nephew.

---