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How in the hell am I going to make it through this dinner if she keeps giving me looks like that?
I shift around in my seat, trying to discreetly find a more comfortable position. Our drinks arrive at the table and it’s as if Jade can read my mind. The way she handles the straw, wrapping her lips around the cherry she fished out her glass, makes my whole body tingle. I suspect she’s doing it on purpose just to watch me squirm.
I’m finally able to find some relief when Jade steers the conversation to Jacob and her worries about his temperature.
“Do you want to call and check in on him?” I ask. “It might put your mind at ease.”
Jade massages her temples and shakes her head. “No, it’s my night off and he’s with his mother. I don’t want her to think I’m second guessing her ability to care for her own son, but I’m not sure if Magdalene knows where his medicine is, or that he prefers his stuffed tiger instead of his elephant when he’s not feeling well.”
She grabs her napkin off the table and starts to fold and unfold it several times. “Shit,” she says. “I can’t imagine having kids if I’m this stressed out already and I’m just the nanny.”
I reach across the table and place my hand on top of hers. “Your nurturing spirit is one of the things I like most about you. That and your take-no-shit attitude. I’m sure you’ll be the perfect mom one day. What you’re feeling right now for Jacob, never lose that.”
Her cheeks flush and I watch as her eyes water a little. “Thank you, Asher. I really do appreciate you saying that. I’m just going to check my phone really quick to see if I have any missed calls or messages.” She grabs her phone and scrolls through it quickly.
I can’t stop the smirk from making its way to my face. I’m usually the one making the apology as I check my phone several times throughout a date. When I’m with Jade, I put my phone on silent and forget all about it. All thoughts of business, meetings and contracts float away for a few hours and I’m completely consumed by her, a freedom I’ve never experienced before. She’s the only distraction I want right now.
She taps on the phone for a few more seconds before tucking it away into her purse.
“Sorry about that,” she says.
“No worries,” I say. “So, what made you want to become a nanny?”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say I wanted to be a nanny. It just sort of happened out of a need I had and being in the right place at the right time. If you would have told me six months ago that I would be changing diapers every day, I’d have thought you were delusional,” she says.
I listen intently as she takes me back in time, retelling her story. I hang onto her every word as she delves deeper into her post graduate life and what things are like for her now. Our dishes come and go, but I have no desire to leave until Jade is ready. These are the types of conversations I’ve longed for. No talk of celebrities or trying to find ways to scheme into the next party just to rub elbows with the elite.
The excitement in Jade’s eyes makes me want to know more about her. One thing is certain, she can tell a damn good story. Her excitement intrigues me, and I find myself smiling as she goes from one story to the next. Her happiness over the smallest of things is truly infectious and I’m positive that’s what has been missing from my life. The hours roll by as we sit there getting to know each other a lot better. I don’t want to leave but there’s a noticeable chill in the air tonight, especially with us sitting so close to the water.
I watch Jade rub her hands up and down her arms trying to stay warm.
“Let’s go,” I say reaching for her hand. “The last thing I want is for you to catch a cold because I didn’t want the night to end.”
We get into the Rolls-Royce and warm up quickly. Luckily, the stories keep coming as we ride back through the city. The ride home goes by in what feels like seconds.
“How about you come upstairs to my place?” I ask. Our previous dates have all ended in her lobby and she never invited me up, understandably as the place is not her home.
Jade checks the time and looks back at me. “Sure. It’s not too late yet. Plus, I’m curious to see what things look like from your vantage point. I know you have the better view.”
I smile and take her hand as we exit the car and head up to my penthouse. “Now remember, this isn’t my full-time place so don’t be shocked at how empty it is.”
