Page 34 of Bad Nanny

Hearing her acknowledge how well our company was doing was better than any accolade.

“Seems to be headed that way. We’ve been fortunate, but honestly, I don’t know if all the hard work to get to where we are now was entirely worth it.” Since I’d only recently startedworking normal hours, it had become more and more apparent that I had been working myself to death.

“I think we sometimes get so caught up in what we’re supposed to do that we forget about what we want to do.” She grabbed my hand and entwined our fingers. “I’m glad you asked me out.”

I squeezed her hand but regretfully let it go as the GPS directed me to turn into a parking lot. Now that I’d made this move, I was in trouble. I was going to fall for this woman hard and fast, but for once, I planned to let myself enjoy the ride.

Chapter 12

Undone

Josie

I thoughtI’d been hallucinating when Gabriel had gotten home from work on Wednesday and pulled me to the side to ask me on a date. He had been so indecisive, acting incredibly flirtatious one minute and distancing himself the next. And now, a date?

It almost felt too good to be true, even as we walked up to the entrance of Skyline Sizzle. Gabriel held open the door for me, and we stepped into a reception area that had a bank of elevators right in the middle and a sign stating that we needed to go to the fifth floor.

“I guess it’s upstairs?” Gabriel took my hand in his, the move surprising me. Everything he did surprised me.

I never knew what to expect from him. He was so often lost in his own thoughts that I was sure he overthought every single move he made.

“This better not be some kind of secret sex club,” I joked, but I wouldn’t have been opposed. I’d try anything once.

One of the elevators opened right as he pushed the button and we got on. “A different kind of meal awaits.” He was pretty funny when he wasn’t wound up tight like a spring.

“You really do like your innuendos, don’t you?” I waited until the door slid shut and turned to face him. “Kiss me.”

His pupils dilated, and without a word, he took my mouth in a heated kiss that went straight to my core. Kissing him was even better than I’d remembered, and I didn’t want it to end.

The ding of the elevator broke us apart, our breaths heavy. This date was going to be torture if we didn’t have more opportunities to do that again. I wasn’t opposed to PDA, but I also didn’t like watching other people make out right in front of me.

We stepped off the elevator hand-in-hand and into a reception area for what appeared to be a small bar and grill. I looked at Gabriel, wondering if this was more his style of restaurant than something fancy and expensive. He seemed a little surprised but walked to the hostess stand.

“Welcome to Skyline Sizzle, table for two, or are you here for the movie?” The hostess let her eyes wander over Gabriel, and I moved closer to him. I’d never been a possessive person, but suddenly, I felt like one.

“I’m supposed to ask for Carmen.” Gabriel let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist instead.

“Oh, that’s me! Are you Gabriel and Josie?” Goodhostesses were hard to find these days, and this woman had enough friendliness for all of Los Angeles.

“That would be us,” I answered before Gabriel could respond.

“Lex told me this was a first date. How exciting!” She beamed as she grabbed an electronic table-side ordering tablet and two menus. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your private balcony for the evening.”

“Balcony?” I mouthed to Gabriel.

He shrugged, and more confused than ever, we followed her down a hallway and out a roll up door onto the roof. To say I was surprised was an understatement.

The whole rooftop had been transformed, with turf, an inflatable movie screen, and beanbag chairs. I’d seen one that was similar on social media a few months back and thought it looked like a fun idea.

We walked past a covered outdoor bar and concession area to a set of stairs behind it. Once upstairs, we found a trellis covered in greenery running down the center to create two semi-private areas. Each had a small table with two chairs and a giant double-seater beanbag.

As we sat down at the table, Carmen handed us our menus and put the ordering tablet on the table. “When you’re ready to order, you can order from the tablet, or you can go downstairs and order at the bar. Snacks are available for purchase during the whole movie. The movie starts at eight-thirty, and you’ll find sanitized headphones on the side table next to the beanbag. The blanket provided is yours to keep, if you wish.”

“Thank you, Carmen.” Gabriel hadn’t taken his eyes off me, and my cheeks heated.

Carmen left us and I opened the menu. “This isn’t what I expected at all.”

“Unexpected in a good way or bad way?” Gabriel opened his own menu but was still looking at me.

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