Page 2 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

“Hey, Sonya! Got a minute?” Jack calls out as he slides onto a barstool, drumming his fingers on the counter like he’s waiting for someone to wait on him hand and foot.

“Sure,” I say, plastering on my best neutral smile. I grab my notepad and head over, trying to keep my irritation in check. “What can I get you guys?”

Jack’s grin widens, all teeth and mischief. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. We’ll take a round of whatever’s cold, and keep ‘em coming, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart. Right. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping at him. “Got it,” I respond, scribbling down the order. I turn to leave, but not before catching Tanner’s sideways glance at me. His lip curls like he’s just smelled something bad.

“So, this is the new help, huh?” Tanner says, loud enough for half the bar to hear. “Guess they’re hiring just anyone these days. Man, I miss the days when a chick had to be hot as shit towait tables around here. At least they knew how to fill out a pair of jeans. Not like this one. Hey, honey, you mind telling us how many people it took to help you get those jeans over your ass?”

My face flushes with heat, and I can feel the sting of tears threatening to form. I know what I look like. I’m no size two, but I’m healthy, and I’ve learned to love my curves. I don’t need the likes of Tanner reminding me that some people aren’t as accepting.

I pause, my grip tightening on the notepad, but after I take a breath, I keep walking, letting the comment roll off my back. It’s not the first time I’ve heard worse, and it sure as hell won’t be the last.

I drop off the order at the bar, and Betsy’s already filling glasses before I’ve even finished talking. She doesn’t miss much, and from the way her mouth is set in a firm line, I can tell she’s heard Tanner, too.

“You okay?” she asks, not looking up from the drinks she’s pouring.

“Yeah,” I say, though it sounds unconvincing even to my own ears. “Just another night.”

She nods, but there’s a glint of something in her eyes. Pity, maybe. The kind that makes me feel small, like I’m being looked at under a microscope. I hate it.

I take the drinks and head back over to Jack’s table, determined to get this over with as quickly as possible. Jack’s in the middle of a story, something about a mission with the pack gone wrong, and the guys are eating it up like he’s spinning gold instead of the usual bullshit. I set the drinks down with a steady hand, ignoring Tanner’s lingering gaze.

“Here you go,” I state, keeping my voice even. “Anything else?”

Tanner snorts. “Yeah, how about a gym membership? Might do you some good.”

The comment hangs in the air, heavier than the humid buzz of the bar, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to react. Jack’s smile fades just a little, and he shoots Tanner a sharp look.

“Hey, knock it off,” Jack scolds, though his tone is more dismissive than genuinely concerned. “Don’t be an asshole.”

Tanner just shrugs, taking a swig of his beer. “Just saying. Some people could use a little constructive criticism.”

I’ve put up with a lot of crap since coming here, but there’s a limit, and I’m about to reach it.

I don’t even think before I speak. “You know, if I wanted advice on how to live my life, I’d ask someone who actually has theirs together.”

Tanner’s eyes widen in mock surprise, and the rest of the table goes quiet. Jack glances between us, looking like he’s debating whether to step in or let it play out.

“Whoa, the new girl’s got some bite,” Tanner comments. “I guess you have to when you’re compensating.”

“Compensating for what?” I snap back, the words sharp and hot. “For the fact that I’m not some washed-up frat boy who thinks the world owes him something?”

There’s a beat of silence, the kind that makes your heart race and your palms sweat. Jack’s watching me, and I can see Betsy out of the corner of my eye, her brow furrowing like she knows what’s coming next.

“All right, that’s enough,” Jack says finally. He looks at Tanner, then back at me as if he’s trying to defuse a bomb without knowing which wire to cut. “Both of you, cool it.”

But Tanner isn’t backing down. His chair scrapes against the floor as he stands, and suddenly, he’s in my space, towering over me like he’s got something to prove. “You think you’re hot shit, don’t you? Rolling in here like you’re better than everyone else. Just because you’re from Stardust Hollow.”

My pulse is pounding in my ears, but I don’t back down. I’ve dealt with bullies before, and I’m not about to let some arrogant jerk be the one to break me. “You don’t know a damn thing about me.”

“Hey, let’s all calm down,” Jack says again, stepping between us. But it’s too late; the damage is done. Tanner’s still glaring at me, and I can feel the heat of everyone’s eyes on us, waiting for the next move.

“Whatever,” Tanner mutters, brushing past Jack. “She’s not worth it.”

The next few moments are a blur. There’s shouting, a lot of it, and suddenly, Betsy’s there, pulling me aside with a firm grip on my arm. “That’s enough, Sonya. You can’t be fighting with the customers.”

I blink, trying to catch my breath, but everything feels off-kilter, like the room’s tilting sideways. “I wasn’t… he started it—”

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