Page 51 of Please Send Snow
She gives me a tight smile, then frowns and glances down at her pocket notebook.
“You have to bring him back tonight by seven,” she tells me. “Tonight is the Christmas Pajama Jamboree.”
I blink at her, trying to imagine it.
“I, uh, don’t know if Mr. Stone has Christmas pajamas,” I venture.
“The jamboree is for thekids,” she says, rolling her eyes. “We’ll have Christmas movies and a pajama parade, stuff like that.”
“Sounds like fun,” I tell her, picturing how much Dylan will love that. “But what is Mr. Stone supposed to?—?”
“Excellent,” Margo says, cutting me off. “See you at seven.”
I turn to see that Jake is heading our way.
“You okay?” he practically growls.
I know he’s not upset—he’s just not much of a smiler. But something about his deep voice and ferocious expressionmake me imagine what would happen if I weren’t okay and it was someone’s fault.
Don’t fantasize about a man fighting over you,my inner angel scolds.You’re better than that.
I shouldn’t be fantasizing about Jake at all. But my imagination has been getting away from me ever since he explained to me in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t putting the moves on me last night.
We always want what we can’t have, I remind myself.None of this means anything.
But I’m not really sure that’s right. I got this instant good feeling as he approached just now, like everything’s going to be okay. I barely know the man, but my body and my heart are trying to tell me something.
But whatever it is, I know I can’t listen. I need the job more than I need a silly crush.
“I’m great,” I squeak out. “Margo was just telling me about the wonderful activities they’re having for the kids tonight. I think Dylan would love to come back for it, if you don’t mind.”
“What time?” he asks.
“Seven,” Margo tells him with a smile that is probably meant to be compelling, but just looks smug.
“Okay,” he says, turning to me. “Ready to go?”
“Sure,” I tell him. “Is Dylan still playing with Bobby?”
“He knows it’s time to go as soon as you’re ready,” Jake tells me.
A part of me wants to lie and say I have to go back to my room for something just to buy Dylan a little more time with his new friend.
But Jake might try to follow me, and then he’d discover where I’m really staying and I’d be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
“Got it,” I say. “Yes, we can go if you have work to do.”
“Always,” he says, winking at me. “Come on.”
I do my best to ignore how the wink makes me feel and glance back at Margo, but she’s fixed on Jake. And she’s wearing a super curious expression that I can’t quite read.
But there’s no time to worry about it because it’s time to get Dylan out of the dining room without freaking out.
“No,”he whines when Jake approaches.
“Hey,” I tell Dylan quickly, crouching so he can see my eyes. “Guess what I just found out?”
“What?” he asks, looking guarded.
