Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“Good to know,” I say, with a wink. “I guess I’ll be good, then. Don’t want to miss out on that sweet foam action.”
Drew smiles, but he looks tired, signaling it’s time for the nanny to get lost. And yes, a part of me wishes that I could stay and help him cook dinner, ask him about his day, and share every hilarious thing his daughter cooked up in her brilliant four-year-old brain while he was gone, but…that’s not what this is. We’re not dating or here to give each other emotional support.
He’s my boss, I’m his employee, and if I want to keep my heart from aching every time, I see his handsome face and oh-so-kissable lips, I would do well to remember it.
Forcing a purely friendly smile, I say, “See you guys tomorrow. Have a great night,” and walk through the door, telling myself it will get easier to walk away from them.
Of course, it will.
It has to.
Chapter Seven
TATUM
Wren’s eyes go saucer wide, while her lips open and close without making a sound.
“I take it you’re as surprised as I am,” I tease, thanking the bartender as he sets two Pabst Blue Ribbons—the tasty beer of people perpetually on a budget—in front of us on the polished wood.
I slide him eight bucks, enough for both beers and a tip.
Thank you, happy hour.
Wren emits a soft squeak and shakes her head, making her long, black ponytail swish around her shoulders. She’s still wearing pale pink nurse’s scrubs, but looks adorable, and it’s not like she’s the only one still in work gear. There are two other nurses at a table in the back and an entire fleet of firemen in uniform just settled at the other end of the bar, near the dartboard.
Usually, a fleet of firemen would be all the reason I need to thank the happy hour gods for their blessings, but tonight I barely notice all the bulging muscles and sexy, close-cropped hair.
All I can think about is Drew and how amazing he looks wearing nothing but me stuck to him and a smile…
“I can’t believe it,” she says. “What are the chances? I mean, Bad Dog isn’t a big town, but it isn’t that small, either. And Drew hardly ever goes out. I bet that was the first time he’s left the house after dinner in months.”
“I know. It’s rotten luck,” I agree, taking a sip of my ice-cold draft, hoping it will numb my heart on the way down. “I almost fell out of my car when he stepped out onto his porch.”
Wren shakes her head again. “Oh my God, I can imagine. Especially after the night you two had. It wasn’t like it was a normal one-night stand without a nurse involved.” She winces. “I know I promised never to mention it again, but I forgot. I was distracted by the craziness of it all.”
I wave a hand. “No worries, it’s fine. And yeah. It wasn’t a normal one-night stand. It wasn’t going to be a one-night stand at all, actually. He’d already asked me out for dinner on Wednesday before I showed up this morning.”
“Oh, well that’s good,” Wren says, her features lifting. “Maybe you guys can work things out over dinner, find a way to make dating and being his nanny work at the same time.”
I shake my head. “He cancelled. He said he can’t date his daughter’s nanny and her happiness and stability comes first so…” I shrug. “It’s over.”
Wren’s brow furrows with empathy. “And you don’t think you can change his mind? I don’t usually put my oar in with things like this, but you guys seemed really great together. I don’t know many married couples who could have handled what happened to you Saturday night with as much grace and humor as you did. A connection like that doesn’t come along every day.”
“Har har,” I say.
She grins. “I know, but seriously. I’ve been looking for something like that for a long time.”
I sigh and take another swig of my draft. “I know. It was special. It feels like I’ve known him way longer than a couple days. We just had this, like you said, this…connection.” I’m tempted to tell her about the note I put on my fridge, the one about missing Drew even if we’d never met but decide that’s too personal.
And too sad.
So, I sigh and say, “But those are the breaks, I guess. And I get it. Dating your employee can be tricky and complicated. Most of the good guys I know wouldn’t want to do it, either.”
Wren slumps and sadness creeps into her expression. “I know. Dating your boss would be hard, too. Especially if you really love your job and there’s nowhere else in town you can do that job. If the romance failed, you’d lose everything and have to move and look for work and that would be so stressful.”