Page 29 of Worst Nanny Ever
I sigh dramatically. “Fantastic.”
“This is what you get for spying on people,” Briar saysstoically. “Two weeks ago, I eavesdropped at my dad’s office door, because I was hoping he might say something about when he’s moving on from Silver Star, but I overheard him telling my mom that I have no backbone, and the only way I’m going to learn how to swim is if he throws me in the deep end. It was a mixed metaphor, which somehow only made it worse.”
Briar’s father is an obscenely wealthy man who enjoys opening businesses every five to six years, only to sell or shutter them and start the next “big” thing. He started Silver Star Brewery five years ago, and according to her, he got bored with it a year or so ago, around the same time her handmade jewelry business folded. So he suggested handing over the brewery to her. But as with most things in life, there are conditions.
She sighs. “So he said he was going to put me through—” She darts a glance at Ollie and lowers her voice, “—h-e-double-hockey-sticks?—”
“I can spell, Briar,” Ollie says.
She mouthssorryat me, then tries again, “Through…you-know-what…to toughen me up. He called it Briar Boot Camp. He thinks it’s the only way I’ll become strong enough to run a successful business.”
“God, Briar, that’s horrible,” Sophie says.
“And very untrue,” I add.
“But itistrue,” she says, playing with a lock of her hair. “My jewelry business failed because my business partner was embezzling. Like, not even being terribly subtle about it. I thought something was weird, but the accounting wasn’t one of my responsibilities. So I let it slide, and the next thing I know, she’s in Jamaica drinking mai tais on the beach, and all the accounts were drained.” She twists her mouth to the side. “She told me she was really sorry, but she had to put her needs before mine.”
“Holy shit,” I say, then glance at Ollie. “Sorry, Ollie.”
He shrugs. “Shit and poop mean the same thing. It’s kind of a dumb swear.”
“I still shouldn’t have said it in front of you.”
Sophie reaches for Briar’s hand. “Briar, that’s awful. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“It’s mostly embarrassing.”
“More embarrassing than dating Jonah?” I ask.
Briar heaves another sigh. “The fact that I dated an engaged man without realizing itaftermy business partner stole all of our money right under my nose makes me think I really am naïve. I’ve been doing all of this yoga and meditation to try to clear my mind, but my inner voice is too loud.”
Dottie clucks her tongue. “We just need to try different types of meditation. There’s one that works for everyone.”
“Not me,” I say with a snort.
“Or me,” Ollie says, but I have a feeling he has no idea what meditation is and is just being loyal. I reach over the table and ruffle his hair.
“Thanks,” Briar says with a tight smile. “I’m sure you’re right. Anyway, that’s why my dad’s so hard on me. He thinks he can trick me into being tough. It comes from a good-ish place.”
“You’re already plenty tough,” I say. “He should have seen you TP Jonah’s house.”
“You threw toilet paper all over someone’s house?” Ollie asks, his eyes shining. “I saw that happen in a movie.”
“It was Uncle Rob’s brother,” I say, “and trust me when I say he deserved it. But you’re not supposed to TP houses or listen in at doors.”
There, that’s a good lesson. Take that, Travis. I can totally be a good influence.
“I know all about listening at doors,” Ollie says, returning his gaze to the back of the tea shop. “That’s how I found out Travis was my father. My dad—Roland, I mean—he said hedidn’t ever want to see me again, because I wasn’t really his son and he’d already wasted enough money on me.”
I grit my teeth, knowing better than to tell him exactly what I think of his mom and his not-a-dad.
“Have another cookie, dear,” Dottie says, cupping her hand over his. “You have as many as you like. They were baked with love, and you can never have too much love.”
He smiles at her, and I feel another strange sensation in the heart region of my chest.
“Hey, Ollie,” Sophie says, with a slight smile. “Hannah told us you’re going to be spending time together in the afternoons, and I was thinking we could try out some crafts together. You can be the test audience for my crafting business.”
“Only if they’re not lame,” he says with typical honesty.
