Page 37 of Worst Nanny Ever
But Sophie’s still staring at me, as if she can will me into confessing.
“I’m not lying,” I repeat, feeling even more like I might be.
“So maybe he’s not your type, but youdolike him,” Sophie says.
“It doesn’t matter,” I insist, which is obviously not the same as a no.
My phone rings, and I’m happy to pick it up, even though it’s a number I don’t recognize and probably a scammer on the other end who wants to grill me about my car’s extended warranty.
I lift a finger as I answer, signaling that I’ll just be a second. “Hello?”
“Yes, hello,” says a man with a monotone voice. “This is Eugene Peebles. Have I reached Hannah…” He pauses, then adds, “Moroney?”
I grin at my friends as I say, “Yes, you absolutely have. I’ve heard you’d like to get together and discuss your position at Big Catch?”
“Yes, I thought a passing of the torch would be in order. I was wondering if Friday would suit you. Perhaps at nine a.m.?”
“It would suit me perfectly.”
“At Big Catch?” he asks.
Panic unleashes inside of me.
No. Not yet. I’m not ready to see it yet.
“We’ll meet at Tea of Fortune,” I say, then give him the address. “I know the owner, and she’ll take excellent care of you.”
“I wouldn’t want to put anyone to any trouble.”
“It’ll be no trouble at all,” I say. Then we exchange super polite goodbyes and hang up.
“Your replacement?” Briar asks with raised eyebrows.
“Yes, I’m excited to meet him.”
“Isn’t he that unpleasant old guy who wears all the corduroy?” Sophie asks.
“Yes,” I say, grinning at them. “I’m going to enjoy messing with him, and hopefully I can get him to calm down so he stops bugging my friends.”
“You have a strange idea of fun,” Briar says with an indulgent smile.
Dottie, who was passing by, stops near our table to give my shoulder a squeeze. “How’s our young man doing?”
“Ollie’s doing fine,” I say. “We’ve had a lot of fun together. I’m seeing him this afternoon while the guys’ band plays at The Ginger Station.”
Sophie and Briar glance at each other.
“Are you going?” I ask them, trying to sound like I don’t care about GingerBeerBabe and haven’t given her half a thought.
The second part is somewhat true—my mind’s been busy with other things—but I definitely haven’t forgotten her.
“We’re not going,” Briar says. “I have to work.”
“And I’m going to the Buchanan Brewery Halloween party,” Sophie adds. “I invited you.”
“Travis definitely wouldn’t want me bringing Ollie there.” I glance at Dottie. “So I guess we’re never going to be friends with the illustrious GingerBeerBabe.”
Dottie gives me one of her patented knowing smiles. “The time isn’t right yet, but it’ll happen.”
