“WHAT?!” I shrieked. “That’s amazing!”
She was young, like really young in my mind. She and Lincoln had fallen for each other a little over a year ago, and at eighteen, she had decided that he was it, and they were going to get married.
The rest was history.
But when you know, you know.
“I know!” She winked back at Lincoln. “It wasn’t really in the plan yet, but I’m super excited. We wanted to lay low andcelebrate where we first met, so we invited the gang to hang out for the next two weeks starting with an insane barbecue tonight! Can you make it?”
“Um…” Did I tell her about the new job? Technically, I got off in time to actually go, right? “Yeah, that should work.”
“Your eyes are shifty.” She leaned in. “And you look guilty, like when you got caught behind the bleachers after homecoming.”
“Okay, first off, you’re the little snitch that was visiting and told my parents I was making out with Pete.” I glared. “And second, aren’t I older than you?”
“Semantics.” Dani’s eyes narrowed. “Did you meet someone?”
“In Seaside?” I countered, crossing my arms.
“Please, it’s like the best place to meet someone. Linc didn’t even stand a chance.”
“It’s amazing how much she talks now, all things considered,” he teased with a wink in my direction. After her parents died, Dani had become a selective mute. Nobody knew how or why, and it had taken Linc to pull her out of it. He smiled at me again. Damn, she needed to keep the guy on a leash. He was almost as sexy as Trevor.
And there it was.
“What was that?” Dani pointed at my face. “You’re thinking of someone.”
“Huh?” I touched my cheeks with both hands. “Nope, sorry just, had a rush of heat. You know how it is when you get older.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re like twenty-eight.”
“Twenty-seven,” I corrected. “Can’t I have hot flashes at twenty-seven? Is that not a real thing?” I moved toward the espresso machine, putting objects between us before she figured out what was going on. “So the barbecue sounds fun.”
“Nice subject change.”
“Uh-huh.” I grinned. “You want a coffee?”
“Decaf.” She winked. “But Linc will have a triple shot Irish cream latte with extra foam.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You know his drink well.”
“Married.” She laughed. “But I know how he likes everything. Remember I was his assistant for the summer? Best summer of his life.”
Linc wrapped an arm around her and then nuzzled her neck. “Hell, yeah it was.”
I tried not to sigh.
I failed.
They both gave me a funny look while I clutched the coffee cup to my bosom like I wished it was a baby.
“Coffee.” I cleared my throat. “Coming right up.”
By the time Linc and Dani left, I was able to clean up a bit and Jennifer was back to take over the afternoon shift.
My feet hurt from standing all day, so I put on another pair of Nikes and this time made sure that when I showed up at Trevor’s house I didn’t look homeless or like I was going to start digging through his trash for a snack. I was wearing a pair of black leggings and a cute red hoodie, and my hair was at least washed and pulled back into a sleek ponytail. I figured that as much as I wanted to show up in a gorgeous little black number that showed off my legs, that wouldn’t be exactly the best way to nanny, especially after a day with those kids.
They were active, to say the least.
