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)
I wrinkle my nose. “Nah, this is just a guest night. For a real sleepover, we’ll have to do it on a Saturday, make tons of popcorn and a cozy bed on the floor in the living room, and convince your dad to let us stay up until ten. Or maybe even ten-thirty.”
Her eyes go big as she glances from me to Drew. “I’ve never stayed up until ten-thirty before. Can I, Daddy? Can we do a real sleepover?”
“Sure,” he says. “When we have time to plan it in advance.”
“This Saturday?” she presses, making us both laugh and Drew say, “Let’s give Tatum a little more time to recover, okay? I’m sure she’ll be ready for a restful weekend after her first week at work.”
In truth, the thought of spending the weekend with Drew and Sarah Beth sounds wonderful, but I don’t say anything because that would be weird. No matter how right it feels to share pizza and laughter and stories with the McGuires, I’m not a part of their family, and I never will be. I’m the nanny, not the girlfriend.
And even if I were the girlfriend, this would be way too soon to start indulging fantasies of belonging to these people.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
I’m not usually the kind to rush into things like this. I take my time, make sure I can trust new people, and am careful about giving my heart away. My love life hasn’t been all that traumatic, but I’ve seen the fallout of insta-love gone wrong way too many times.
My mom fell hard and fast for several losers before she found Bruce, my stepdad. I watched her cry and toss clothes out the window too many times to think a crush is a harmless thing.
So, when Drew shows me to the guest room and asks if I need anything aside from the sweatpants and t-shirt he’s loaning me to sleep in, I assure him, “Nope. I always have a toiletry bag in my purse for emergencies so I’m all set. Thank you again for your help and kindness tonight. I appreciate it so much.”
“My pleasure,” he says. “You can count on me and Sarah Beth any time you’re in trouble. You’re not just our nanny; you’re someone we care about.”
Heart twisting, I force I smile. “I feel the same. And I promise not to get partially digested corn stuck in my backside and fall asleep on the job ever again. You can count on me.”
He laughs. “Sounds good.”
Down the hall, Sarah Beth calls out, “Daddy are you going to read me a story?”
Drew calls back, “Be right there, honey.” To me, he says, “Sleep well.”
“Thanks.” I shut the door to the guest room and lean back against it, pressing my fist to my chest.
What is up with all this aching and longing? I barely know Drew.
Or so I tell myself as I lie down on the plush mattress and snuggle under the sheets, wishing my bed at my short-term rental were half as comfortable. But as I listen to the soft drone of Drew’s deep voice, reading to Sarah Beth down the hall, I don’t feel like a guest. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Like I’m…home.
It’s the painkillers. They’ve clearly scrambled your brains. You’ll be fine come tomorrow morning. Just sleep it off and stop being ridiculous.
Doing my best to follow the Voice of Reason’s advice, I turn on my side and curl up into a ball. But sleep is a long time coming and when I finally do nod off, I dream of walking through a country fair in summertime, with Drew and Sarah Beth’s hands in mine.
It’s not even a sex dream. It’s a “I wish we were a family” dream.
I wake up feeling like I swallowed a box full of rocks and know I can’t let things go on like this. I have to nip this crush in the bud before it ruins my fresh start in Bad Dog.
A plan forming, I grab my cell from the bedside table and pull up my texts. There’s still no response from Wren to my text from last night, but I go ahead and shoot her a few more messages anyway—Hope you’re okay and Barrett took care of your Kyle problem.
Assuming you’re still single this morning, I was wondering if you’d want to go dancing this Friday night. One of the other nannies at gymnastics yesterday said there’s a great bar with live music not too far from the lake, on the way out of town.
We could get ready at my place and go together if you want. I’m clearly terrible at defending my friends from foul fowl, but I do a great blowout. Let me know and feel free to invite anyone else you think might enjoy a night out. I’m ready to make lots of new girlfriends and enjoy being single!