Page 25 of A Merry Penthouse Christmas
BEAU
Iwakelaterfeelingabsolutely disgusting. My clothes and sheets are soaked, like I’m coated in a thick layer of grime from how much I sweat during the night.
Gross.
I kick the covers off and try to take stock of the past several hours. How did I get into bed? And wasn’t it late afternoon?
I glance at my bedside clock but it reads 11:00am. That can’t be right. I take a few breaths and run my hands back through my, ew,damphair, and my fingers hit something wetter than my curls. I grab it and pull forward a wet washcloth.
Then I remember really soft hands putting it on my forehead.
I sit up—and whoa, doing that quickly was a bad idea, because the room spins. No sudden movements. But that was Arik, wasn’t it? I’d been a little sniffly and run down the past couple of days, but nothing concerning. Then sometime in the afternoon, after putting Bastian down for a nap, it felt like a truck hit me, and I went to lay down.
Then Arik arrived, forcing me to take pills and drink water and…
Oh shit! Did I tell him about the interview?
I am such an asshole.
LAST WEEK
“Beau?Isthatyou?What are you doing in this neighborhood?”
It takes me a moment to register who is speaking to me. I haven’t seen this man since well before Emily and I split up. “Jared? Holy crap! How are you?”
We hug. Jared is a friend from college, more my friend than Emily’s but still one of many people who knew us best as a couple. Jared went the middle childhood education route too, but he got a job at a local school years ago.
He is also married with kids and basically everything I wish I was at this age.
I’d decided to get out of the penthouse to clear my head, taking Bastian for another bundled up outing in the park. Adifferentpark from last time, because there was no way I was risking running into Emily again.
The continuous additions of more and more holiday decorations around the city hadn’t been carrying the same charm as when Arik and I took this stroll. So, despite it not being cold enough for snow, I’d decided to stop for a hot beverage—peppermint this time, since PSL season is behind us.
“I’m good!” Jared says. “And you’re, um… well… I thought…” He’s obviously floundering to explain why I’m pushing a stroller, so I jump to correct him.
“I’m nannying for someone right now while still looking for that solid teaching position. This is baby Bastian.”
“Oh! Hey there, little man.” Jared leans in to look at him. “Gosh, I remember when Gemma and I had our first. Feels like forever ago since he was this small. So, uh…” He clears his throat. I must be wearing an unplanned cringe. “You’re still looking for a permanent teaching position?”
“Yeah. Luck keeps not being on my side lately.”
“That is fantastic!”
Excuse me?
“Seriously, Beau, it is so perfect that I ran into you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Our 6thgrade history teacher just announced he’s retiring after this year.”
“You’re kidding?”
“It would be incredible to work together. I can put in a good word with our principle. She is great. She’d prefer a recommendation over going through endless applications and interviews. I can set up something for you before Christmas break. End of the week work for you?”
“That… that would be wonderful! Are you sure?”
“Of course! I mean, this is just temporary, right? You’re good to leave the nanny job?”
