Page 10 of Nanny for the Bodyguard
“…she did a good job.” I bob my head in a ridiculous nod, my eyes roaming my kitchen.
My place is very different than the pictures I’ve seen of my sister’s. Janeen painted the walls, several of which were in wild or bright colors.
Everything here is monochromatic and simple. I don’t want to worry about interior design. It’s all designed to be practical and easy to work with.
Which I suppose doesn’t read “homey” in the slightest.
“That’s a lot. I mean, I’m only going to be here for a few hours at a time, right? Do I really need all these lists?”
There’s a nervous smile pinned to Hazel’s expression, and she tucks her hair behind her ear, her stare going back to Jade’s list and widening again.
“You’d be surprised.”
I can tell Hazel is having second thoughts. I’m basically asking her to stand in as Jade’s maternal figure, so I get it.
But I’m desperate. I need her to stay and help. If she leaves, I’ll be back at square one again, and I was doing a shitty job back there.
“But, like I said, she reads a lot. You’ll be able to work on that book. And I really do need to know what happens next.”
That manages to get Hazel smiling, a little laugh tumbling free. “Working on it. It’s still in progress, and there’s editing and proofreading still, but it should be out soonish. I’m on a tight deadline, so I really hope so.”
“I’m sure you’ll make it. Whenever you’re not actively looking after Jade, you can work, and if you need an escape from your apartment, you’re always more than welcome to come over here and work.”
“Oh.” Hazel sits straighter, eyeing me with her brows up. “Wow, okay. Umm, thank you. I’ll remember that.”
The awkwardness around us is still hanging on tightly, and again, I wonder if this was a smart decision. We have a history. How are either of us just supposed to set that aside?
Hazel stands up from the island, taking her empty cup with her. She figures out where the trash is on instinct and throws it away.
“Well, no time like the present to get started, right?” She smiles, shaking herself into this picture of casualness, which might be forced but is still adorable. “Jade, come here!”
In no time, Jade runs in from the other room and stops before Hazel. “Yeah?”
“Wanna go outside in the hammock? We can talk about our favorite books.”
My niece perks up, Hazel having hit the jackpot on fun things to do with her. She nods excitedly, bouncing up and down.
“Oh, yes, yes, yes! Can we bring snacks and stuff, too?”
Hazel grins. “Of course!”
The girls grab a plethora of snacks, including trail mix, apples, and a yogurt for each of them, and take the party outside to the hammock.
It’s not sweltering yet, and I watch from the door as they get set up. “Do you need anything else? I can get it for you.”
“Hmm, probably some water?” Hazel squints, holding up her hand to block the morning sun.
It’s certainlygoingto be hot, so that’s a wise choice. I fetch them a few bottles and give Jade a hug before going back inside. I need to go into town today, working as a bouncer for a local event, and I’ll be gone until dinner.
“See you later! I should be back by six!” I call out from the door, and both Jade and Hazel just wave and get back to chatting.
They’re already getting along so well, and seeing them like that does something to me. My chest aches at the sight, and that voice in my head screams about what I did wrong all those years ago.
How am I going to make it? Surviving a day around this woman is going to be damn near impossible.
But I have little choice. So, with that, I snag my duffle and car keys, heading into the garage to drive into town.
FOUR
