Page 12 of Nanny Crush
I shake my head. “Not fun. Not fun at all. I’ll be puking later and it’s all your fault.”
She waves her hand through the air and blows off my concerns. I take several longer drinks of beer, hoping to wash the taste of tequila out of my mouth.
Our food comes and the two of us dig in, eating cheese sticks, mini burgers, onion rings, fried ravioli, and chips and salsa. The food is delicious, and it helps me to forget that I just took a shot of tequila. While we eat, she talks about the coffee shop, how busy it’s been, and the drama going on with her employees. Once our food is gone, we decide to get up and dance to work off all the calories we just consumed by eating all that fatty food.
The music is on, the lights are low, and nobody is on the dance floor except the two of us. Some laugh at our silliness and while others stare. We don’t really notice or care either way, because we’re doing what we set out to do: having fun.
Two guys walk onto the dance floor and one starts dancing with Kinsley while the other dances with me. He’s good looking, tall, fit, young, and smells good. His arms feel strong around me. Even though he’s closer to my age and good looking, I can’t help thinking of Liam and the way he was looking at me earlier. I get the feeling that Liam really liked me, but he hated that he did. He was nice to look at, though, with his dark, scruffy face, his green eyes traveling my body, and his strong build. Something is seriously wrong with me thinking about a guy ten years older than me while I have such a handsome guy grinding against me.
I take a step back and excuse myself to go grab a drink. I take my seat back at the table and finish off my beer. Moments later, Kinsley is sitting across from me.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, finishing her beer.
I shrug. “I’m just not feeling good. My stomach is queasy, probably from the tequila.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “It was one shot.”
“I know, but it was gross, and I think I’m ready to go home and lie down.”
“Check,” she says, holding her hand up.
By the time I finally make it home, it’s going on ten. I feel tired, a little tipsy, and sick to my stomach. I think I just got too hot dancing and that shot didn’t help matters. I strip out of my dress, wash my face, and fall into bed. I get comfy and close my eyes, and that’s when I see his face form behind my lids. In my dream, I watch him laugh and smile and play with his kids. Seeing this makes my heart warm in my chest, and I see him in a whole new light. I imagine them playing in the pool on a hot, summer day. When he climbs out of the pool, water is rolling down his rippling stomach, and I feel my body grow hotter.
I know that nothing can ever happen between the two of us. Not only is he too old for me, but I’m going to be his kids’ nanny, if I get the job. That isn’t exactly an invitation into a romantic relationship, but an older man sounds better than the guys I usually date who are too busy chasing their next conquest. I want a mature guy who’s ready to settle down, who wants to be with me, and treats me like I’m the best thing that has happened to him. I don’t get that from guys my age.
When I wake in the middle of the night, I feel hot and sticky, and just remembering the dream of the two of us rolling around in bed together makes my body yearn for something it hasn’t had in a very long time.
I wake in the morning and go through my usual morning routine. I grab a bottle of water, eat a cup of yogurt, and go to the living room to do yoga to warm up and destress for the day. Afterwards, I take a shower and dress in a pair of white pants and a light pink tank top. I run the straightener through my hair, which leaves it smooth and sleek. I add some mascara, blush, and some lip gloss before going back into the living room and opening my computer. I check my email, hoping that the job offer I want is in there, but no such luck. I check my phone and there’s no missed calls or messages. I let out a long breath and decide to keep job hunting just to cover my ass in case it never comes.
Suddenly, selling pictures of my feet doesn’t seem like that bad of an idea.
Days pass with no word from Liam. I’m meeting Kinsley at the bar and grill for lunch and I’m happy to just be getting out of the house, but, as time passes, I’m getting more and more worried on how I’m going to pay my bills. I’ve applied at several places around town and even some jobs outside of town, and I haven’t heard anything yet.
I walk into the bar and grill and Kinsley is already sitting in a booth. I spot her and go to slide in on the other side of the table.
“Hey,” she greets me with a wide smile.
“Hey,” I reply, not sounding nearly as happy as she does.
“Still no word?” she asks, knowing what’s wrong with me.
“No. I’ve applied to a dozen different places, and I haven’t had any luck at all. What’s wrong with me? Tell me. Why wouldn’t you hire me if I was applying to your business?”
She presses her lips together and thinks it over. “Maybe it’s because you don’t have a lot of experience in the fields you’re applying to.”
I tilt my head to the side. “I applied for a waitressing position. I have experience in that.”
“Yes, but nothing recent.”
“Whatever, I’m ready to eat my feelings,” I say, grabbing the menu.
“What can I get you two started with?” the waitress asks.
“I’ll take a glass of sweet tea with lemon and then I’d like to order the sampler platter to start.”
She nods and writes it down.
“Just a water, please,” Kinsley orders.
