Page 20 of That First Night
“I’m not going to actively pursue him, Avery. But I’m also not going to stop anything if he decides to pursuesomethingdown the road.”
“That’s my fucking girl,” she screams.
My mind is all over the place right now and I can’t help but think of the consequences of giving into him if he did try something.
I need this job. I need this job. I repeat to myself, and I think the decision is finally made.
Who knew the answers to life's questions could be found over tacos and tequila.
“What the fuck is up your ass this week, shit bag?” Oliver mutters.
He’s home after spending the last month in Egypt. Doing fuck knows what. I don’t ask questions because his answer is always the same, “I was getting my dick wet.” It’s always the same song and dance with my brother. So, I just stopped asking him about his ‘adventures’.
“Nothing, butt fuck,” I snap back, taking a long swig of whiskey. “And get your feet off my desk. This isn't your home.”
“He’s got a point, Tommy,” Marc cuts in, “You’re grumpier than usual this week.”
He’s not wrong. I can’t seem to get the thought of the new nanny out of my head. Although she's not even my nanny yet, since she hasn’t given me an answer. What is there to think about? I am offering her a job that she says she desperately needs, and a place to live at no cost. Fuck, did I tell her that it’s no cost? Maybe that will convince her.
What the hell is her story?That’s what has me so wound up. Where did she come from? Did she not live here before? Is she not accepting the position because she’s in a relationship now? Fuck, that thought didn’t even cross my mind.
“It’s about the possible new nanny. She hasn’t accepted the position yet.” I run my hands down my face. “With James starting preschool again next week for the school year, I need her to start as soon as possible. Emiline starts nursing school the same day and I’m basically fucked if she says no.”
“You know—” Marc starts to say but is interrupted by my office phone ringing.
“Mr. Ford, I have your sister, Emiline on line one,” my assistant says over the intercom.
“Thank you, Ruth,” I say, picking up the phone to answer the call. “Emiline, what’s up? Is everything okay?”
“Hi, big brother. I’m doing well. How about you?” she mutters sarcastically on the other end of the phone. I let out an audible groan. “Of course everything is okay. I’m calling regarding your nanny!” I can feel her gleaming over the phone.
I pause because… SHIT. My stomach twists and an uneasy feeling surfaces in my gut. Please, for the love of God, be calling to tell me that she said yes.
“What’s the verdict, Em?”
“It looks like you have a new nanny, big bro,” she shrieks, and I find myself taking a breath of relief. “She wants to meet with you today if you’re available. I told her you’re working, but she was pretty persistent and would like to see you as soon as possible.”
“Yes, of course. I need her to start next week, so today will work. Can you send her to my office?” I open my planner to check to see when I am available today. “I am free for the next 3 hours. Have her come into the office as soon as she can. I will give the desk her name.”
“Great, I will relay the message. She—”
I don’t even let her finish before hanging up the phone. My head is reeling over the fact that she said yes. James is going to be so happy. After they met a couple days ago, James hasn’t stopped talking about her, and is so fascinated by the fact that she has two first names. I am still trying to get him to understand that the last name sounds like a first name, but it’s really a last name. I gave up, and just started letting him think what he wants to think in that magical little brain of his.
“So?” Marc cuts me off from my thoughts.
“Sounds like she agreed to be the nanny.” I rub my hands down my face, letting out a frustrated breath.
“Why are you still all fucked up over it, then?” Oliver laughs, helping himself to my office whiskey stash.
“Dude, this isn’t your fucking house. Hands off the whiskey,” I snap at him, returning my gaze back to Marc. “We havehistory. I don’t know how to maneuver this whole situation.”
“History?” Marc repeats, “You knew her before you met the other day?”
“Yes. Remember that charity gala five years ago? The one that got cut short when the fire started in the kitchen?”
“How could I forget.” Oliver clutches his stomach, laughing so hard. “You went nuts for hours when we evacuated, trying to locate the girl you finger fucked into orgasm land. It was like she didn’t exist, though.”
And then, Oliver abruptly stops laughing and his gaze turns to Marc who is already looking at him with his jaw on the floor. It’s written all over their face, that they figured out the fucking problem I am having about the new nanny.
