Page 64 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

“Theo…” I love you.

I’d rather say it to his face for the first time and hope I’d hear it back, that whatever he’d been on the cusp of saying to me in Mexico before Grayson’s call is something he’s still thinking about.

There’s noise in the background. He’s at the hospital tonight and either his father’s woken up or the nurses will be coming in soon. “I’ve got to go, sweetheart. Give the kids hugs from me. Ryder’s thing is Thursday night, right?”

“Yes. There’s a chorus concert but the art contest winner will be announced, too. Can you come? It’d mean so much to him if you could but he’ll understand if you can’t.”

“Tell him I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it.”

∞∞∞

He misses it.

He misses the concert, which was fine – it wasn’t Jill or Ryder’s grade performing, but he misses the announcement for the winner of the school art contest, too.

I’m not angry, not for me. But he’d told me to tell Ryder his father would be there and I had. So, when Theo doesn’t make it, Ryder blames me.

“You’d said he’d come.” He doesn’t shout or misbehave. I’d rather he did. The tremor in his voice guts me.

“I’m sorry, Ryder. I know he wanted to be here.”

I’ve sent Theo five texts in the past hour and tried calling. It went straight to voicemail. I don’t know what’s going on. Should I be worried about him? Or are we getting blown off for big business?

At least, winning first place helps appease a disappointed child. Temporarily.

We’re enjoying the post-performance refreshments, speaking to teachers, the children’s friends and their parents when Nadine Childress approaches with a warmer smile than I usually see.

“Way to go, Ryder. That was a terrific sketch of your dog.”

He thanks her and starts talking to her son and another boy. Jill’s talking to Tim so I’m left standing with Nadine. “I really liked Park’s sculpture,” I say to ease the awkwardness.

“Thanks. He loved Playdoh so I shouldn’t be surprised that modeling clay is his favorite medium for art.”

She sounds knowledgeable so I take a shot. “Did you ever study art?”

“In college. Before I got married I had big plans but… well, things changed. Not that I’m complaining about marrying a psychiatrist. Jason makes kickass money. Just too many mind games which is why I divorced him.”

“Ah.” Okay, this is still awkward. If she’s complaining about her ex playing mind games, what would she call her little safety pin stunt? And, where the hell is Theo?

“How’s Theo?”I wish I could tell you. “I heard about his dad.”

“His father’s expected to go home soon, thankfully, but it’s been a difficult time for the family.”

“Hmm, I’m sure. How was Cabo?”

“Uh, how did you know-”

“Sara Newhouse is a hoot to follow on Insta and it sounds like the kids gave her a good laugh. She had a whole thread about meeting you all down there.”

“Oh.”Ew. I’m really not happy to hear she’s been talking about the family trip on social media. Don’t any of these people read true crime or watch the news?

Nadine looks me up and down and gives me a sly smirk. “From teacher to nanny to billionaire’s girlfriend in the span of a few months. Not bad, Quinn. I underestimated you. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”

She saunters off, leaving me stunned. I think she actually meant to be friendly in a weird way but how did she make the leap to girlfriend? Am I going to have to follow Sara with no ‘h’ to find out what’s been said about me? That would mean I’d actually have to use my dormant Instagram account Isa set up for me three years ago.

Tim’s mother, Kelsey comes over to join me with her precious new bundle in her arms. “Tim missed school so much over the break and I think it was partly because this little one turned our house into a chaos zone but also because there was no Jill there.”

“Oh, that’s sweet. I know she missed him, too. And your little girl is an angel.” I peer down at the sleeping newborn. I’d swear my ovaries expand and ache just looking at her.

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