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“You’re still coming with us to the zoo, though, right?”
Jessica’s eyes flickered uncertainly over to Brent, then back to Cara. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. But I really have to go now.”
Cara jumped up and gave Jessica a hug before she left.
Brent sighed heavily.
Chapter Seven
Jessica
Jessica’s heart was still in her throat when she approached the door to her apartment. Her hands shook as she fumbled with her keys and cursed at herself for being so incredibly stupid.
Why had she just run? It was a bad situation, but Brent wasn’t a monster. If she ever just gave him a clear “no”, he would probably back off. Instead, she kept being coy and backing away without telling him how she felt.
She could lose this job, and Cara would be so hurt. The door opened, and she threw her bag to the floor and slammed the door shut behind her.
Of course, he could think about Cara more, couldn’t he? He was her father. He could be the one to put on the brakes and realize that Jessica could be her nanny or his lover, but not both.
“God, I could just smack him!” Jessica pulled her hair back and headed into the kitchen.
Perching on a stool before the counter, she nursed a glass of wine and replayed the kiss in her mind. She squeezed her thighs together. Why did Brent have to be so damn attractive? Why did it have to be so damn complicated? If he were ten years younger, or not one of her father’s best friends…
Jessica poured herself another glass of wine and felt her phone buzzing.
A text from Brent: I apologize for overstepping again tonight. It won’t happen again.
Rubbing her hand over her face, Jessica groaned. Was he being honest? Would it happen again?
“He-eey!” Ashley sang as she walked into the kitchen. She grabbed the wine and poured herself a glass. “What are we celebrating?”
“No celebrating. Only whining. With wine. That’s what’s happening.”
“About what?”
“Brent kissed me.” Jessica sighed. “Well, he did once before, and he kissed me again tonight.”
“That’s awesome!” Ashley raised her glass to Jessica’s. When Jessica refused to raise her glass, Ashley tapped it where it was. “Clink. What’s your problem? Why aren’t you frothing at the lady parts?”
“Well, that’s a disgusting image. I’m horny, not rabid.” Jessica rolled her eyes as she sipped her wine. “This isn’t easy for me. I like him. Of course I like him. But he’s my boss, and I can’t date him, period.”
“You’re out of your mind.” Ashley rose and took a container of cut celery out of the refrigerator. “I’ve seen this guy on TV and in magazines and stuff. He’s a total daddy.”
“Stop it!”
Ashley laughed. “Seriously, he’s gorg. And he’s totally talented.”
“I’m not trying to get a part with him. It’s not the same as looking for a good director to work with.” Jessica shook her head. “You’ve never been in a serious relationship, Ash. You don’t know how complicated it can get. Anyway, if I did anything with Brent, my dad would probably kill me. He’d definitely kill Brent, and that would be the end of his totally talented, totally genius indie studio.”
“You’re making fun, but you’re the one acting like you need your dad’s permission to date a guy.”
“I don’t need his permission. It’s just weird to date my father’s friend.”
“You’re twenty-one. You can do whatever you want.”
“Within the confines of the law and social mores.”
“Well, the latter is flexible. We do live in California.”
Jessica reached across the counter to swat at Ashley’s arm, but she dodged.
“Christ. I’m going to have to quit. I can’t be a nanny in a situation like this.” Jessica closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “He says he’ll stop, but he’s not going to. He’s just like a man half his age, and I don’t know that I have it in me to keep resisting him every time.”
“You don’t have to though. And you can’t quit. Not unless you want to break that kid’s heart. From everything you’ve said, I know she’s lonely, and she definitely doesn’t have enough people around to care for her and be her friend. No wonder she latched onto you so hard. You’re a stranger, but you’re there for her. Don’t let her down.”
Jessica set her glass down hard. “That’s not helping, Ash. I know that I have to look out for Cara. If I didn’t, I would’ve quit the moment I met Brent’s asshole father. Don’t act like I’m not trying here.”
