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“Well, cats need a lot of attention and care. Let’s finish the rest of the book and see what this cat gets into. We can talk about it after.”
Satisfied with my answer, she refocuses on the book. By the time I say, “The end,” she’s out cold. As soon as I put her down, I scrub my face with both hands.
I need to get a grip because I’m the stray that’s getting too attached. So attached that if Kiara removed me from this family, I’d be … devastated. Worst of all, Isabel would pay the price.
Shit.
I pick up my phone and text Cody back.
Me: Definitely. I’m excited to meet Mandy.
Because if I don’t meet someone else, I’m going to fuck up the one good thing I have going for me—this job.
“So, do you like child caregiving, Remi?” Mandy, Kiara’s friend and my blind date, blushes every time she asks me a question.
I can’t help but flirt with her because it’s cute. We’re seated in the middle of a swanky restaurant. The lights are low, and classic jazz fills the space around us. It’s the perfect setting for a romantic date and just what I need to divert my mind from a certain strawberry blonde.
“I do. There’s something about a child learning that is really rewarding for me,” I say with a smile and then check my watch. Cody and Kiara should have been here fifteen minutes ago.
This hoity-toity place has Kiara’s name all over it, and I’m making her foot the bill. Besides, she knows my salary and definitely knows it’s out of my price range.
This is a nice girl and I’m enjoying her company, but if there’s to be a second date, I need to temper her expectations.
“Right, how cool is that?” Mandy’s face breaks into a big grin. “I feel the same. I teach preschool at St. Mary’s. Some days I’m pulling my hair out, and some days the kids do something small, like figure out how to color in the lines, and it’s like Christmas came early.” She looks away, bashful. “I don’t know. You probably think it’s stupid.”
Not only is Mandy pretty, she’s got a good heart too. A dark-haired beauty with big brown eyes. Her red lipstick matches her dress, which hugs her in all the right places.
Knowing we have this common interest loosens my joints, and I relax further into the chair. “You couldn’t be further from the truth. I admire your dedication and passion for your job. Teaching preschoolers isn’t easy. Believe me, I know. I can relate. I feel the same about Isabel.”
“Is that who you nanny for? Isabel?” she asks, genuinely interested. “I bet she’s happy to have you to play with.” As soon as she says it, she clamps her teeth over her lips. “Okay, that sounded less weird in my head, but you get the picture.”
I laugh. “Yeah, she’s amazing. She’s the sweetest too, but don’t piss her off because she’ll hand it back tenfold. I get bested by a two-year-old on the daily.” My smile is wistful. “Nap times are the funniest. Sometimes, there are monsters in her closet that I have to beat up before she’ll go to sleep. She’ll call me back several times.” I shake my head. “I know I should only give in once, but the way she jumps and cheers me on is adorable. She knows I’ll keep coming in for battle.” My grin widens. “Once she conks out, though, she’ll sleep through a tornado.”
Mandy’s giggle is cute, and I find myself matching her liveliness.
Yeah, this is exactly what I need.
“Should we order drinks while we wait for Cody and Kiara?”
“Sure. Why don’t you get the waitress’s attention while I text Cody and see why they’re standing us up.”
She laughs again. In fact, she finds humor in all my corny jokes. I like that.
Me: How far out are you?
Eyeing the woman sitting across from me, I send another text.
Me: Tell Kiara thanks for the set-up. Mandy’s great.
Cody: Don’t mean to tell you ‘I told you so’, but I told you. Says Kiara.
I click my tongue. This chick is always trying to bust my balls.
Cody: We’re pretty far out, stuck in traffic. I don’t think we’re going to make it.
Cody: Have fun, you crazy kids.
My stomach clenches in disappointment. While I’m happy to get to know this girl one on one, my leg starts to jiggle in mini panic. I don’t know how I’m going to pay for this meal.
