AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turn to him because … what?
“Yes, the magic of life is that we can recognize our own ego and change how we approach a situation.”
I narrow my eyes at him. He’s twenty-six—I may have checked his paperwork for practical purposes. He can’t know this from experience.
“Master’s in child psychology, remember?”
“Ah, yes. I forgot you went to school to become the Jedi Knight of Nannies.”
“Correction—of Mannies.” He chuckles. “Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.” Remi’s Yoda voice is spot-on. Getting up, he takes out plates to fill them with something delicious, no doubt. “In any case, you recognize it and want to change it.”
Still sitting, I look up at him.
His eyes shine with a remarkable belief in me. “You will.”
I’m so transfixed, the words are a whisper. “So, you’ll come?”
Brown irises melt into honey, and he bites his lip. “Just tell me what time, and we’ll be there.”
“Jayden Corazon Morales, I’m in so much trouble.” I stride into my best friend’s office and slump in their papasan chair.
“Yeah, you are! Are those my Cartier earrings?!” Jay says, incredulous.
Reaching up to feel the mentioned earrings, I say, “Finders, keepers.” I groan again. “Jaaaydeeen, did you not hear what I just said?”
“Oh my god, have you been abducted by aliens? They didn’t probe you, did they?” Jay grabs a letter opener and holds it in front of them on the defensive. “Where is my frigid bitch best friend, and what did you do to her?”
Throwing my arm over my head, I chuckle then moan my misery. “Do not make me laugh. This is not a laughing matter. I’m in real trouble here, and you’re making jokes.”
“Yes, this is how I deal with uncomfortable situations—inappropriately timed humor. You know this, yet here you lay in all your” — with one hand on their chest, the other one stirs the air — “emotes.” When I don’t move, they let out a long sigh. “What’s wrong, mija?”
I peek at them from under my arm, not wanting to admit what I know to be true. Jay’s going to run with this, but they’re the only person I trust to tell. I need to tell someone. To rid my head of this ridiculousness. I’m not a silly girl anymore. I don’t think I ever was.
“Look, you’re spiraling and getting your muckiness all over my zen space.” Jay picks up a selenite crystal and wraps my hand around it. “Take a deep breath.”
Inhale. Exhale.
“Good. Now, on with it. I don’t have all day.”
“I have a crush on the hot manny.” I don’t add that I’m in so much fucking trouble because if this gets out, we’ll lose him. I’ll have to buy out Remi’s contract and find a new nanny as amazing as him, which I already know is impossible.
“And?”
And? “Isn’t that bad enough?”
“Babe, you’re hysterical because of the little lady boner you sprouted for the hot-as-sin baby-charmer. I mean, duh. And, oh my God, you are human.” Their voice mocks their revelation.
“That’s what I’m trying to say. This isn’t good. Not at all,” I whine like a toddler in a toy store.
“Listen to me, your life guru. Bang him and get him out of your system.”
I shoot up, appalled. Though, the devil on my shoulder finds reason in Jay’s advice. Something tells me the banging would be a mind-altering experience, but no.
“I can’t do that. I’ll breach my contract with Child Care Connection.” I fling my hand into the air. “He’ll lose his job,” I shriek. Shaking my head, I temper my inner panic. “Isabel needs him. He’s too good for her for me to screw it up with sex.”
“See? Problem solved.” Jay holds their palms together and bows as if they are the oracle of wisdom, then waves their hand toward the door. “Now, go. I have art to create.”
“I snorted in front of him.” My tone is glum.
