Page 116 of Worst Nanny Ever
“Can we make cookies?” Ollie asks, practically bouncing on his feet.
It’s hard to believe he’s the same kid who wrote mathematical equations on the wall to get a rise out of me. I’m starting to realize that he may have just needed more people in his court.
I think I did too.
It’s been a real up-and-down day. A surprisingly good one, though. I’m glad Dottie came around. I don’t even mind the basket full of crystals she brought with her. Hell, I helped her and Ollie “strategically place them,” although that wasn’t something I’d care to admit to Hannah. Or to Rob.
And then I got that text from Karen.
The thought of Hannah laying claim to me got my blood hot. It made me want to do the same.
Soon, I promise myself. I’ve already posted a few ads for nannies, using different sites than last time. Unfortunately, the only response I’ve gotten so far is this comment:We don’t forget. Justice for Rachel!So it’s not off to a great start.
“Why don’t you go have a little lie-down, dear?” Dottie suggests to me. “You look tired. Ollie and I will make some cookies, read some tea leaves, and then maybe we’ll draw our spirit animals. Mine is a llama.”
“I think mine’s a fox,” Ollie says, doing his little happy dance again.
“Just don’t turn him into one, and I have no objection,” I joke.
Ollie shocks me by throwing his arms around my middle and hugging me. “Today was a good day.”
I wrap my arms around him, feeling choked up. “Yeah, buddy, it really was.”
Other than the off-and-on headache from my hangover.
“And you’re on the path to great things,” Dottie say to me meaningfully. Glancing down at Ollie, she adds, “Can I have just a second alone with your dad, sweet boy?”
“Sure,” he says with a shrug and heads toward the kitchen.
Dottie pats my arm, giving me a serious look. “I want you to know that I’m here to support your love journey.”
I cough. “Excuse me?”
“You probably don’t get much time alone with Hannah, but I would always bedelightedto spend time with little Ollie. I know for a fact that Sophie and Rob feel the same way, and I have other friends who would be thrilled to volunteer their time. I also have a few great-grandchildren his age who wouldloveto play with him. You have a village, my dear.”
My heart swells at this confirmation of what I was feeling earlier. We’re not alone anymore. Maybe we never were, and there were always people ready to step in, waiting for me to let them.
“Thank you. I appreciate that, Dottie.” I pause. “How did you know I’m interested in Hannah?”
No point in denying it.
She laughs. “It’s clear from the way you look at her, my dear, and in your aura when you speak to her. My goodness, I could tell weeks ago, when you were both in my tea shop.”
“I don’t think we should date while she’s working for me. It feels…wrong.”
“Oh, poppycock,” she says, surprising me. “I worked for Beau Buchanan for years while we were together, and it was the loveliest partnership imaginable.”
I pause, trying to pinpoint what my holdup is. “But I don’t want to pay her for looking after Ollie. I want…”
My chest tightens as I consider what I really want. What I’ve been afraid to put into words, even in my own head.
I want the three of us to be together because we all want to be there, not because there’s money on the table. I want her to be…
Fuck, I’ve only known her a few months, and I’ve only known her well for two weeks. I can’t already be thinking…
But I am. I’m thinking about the three of us sharing holidays and birthdays. Celebrating with party poppers and glitter bombs that will make an unholy mess. I’ll complain about them, of course, while secretly loving the way those things make both of them smile.
I heave a deep breath. “I don’t know,” I hedge.
