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“You need a nanny, and there is no one more qualified than me.”
This man gave a whole new meaning to hot dad. But this wasn’t a porno. He had a kid, which meant he was most likely married. Even if he wasn’t, this was a chance at getting a job I desperately needed, and one I was positive I could handle.
“And what makes you think that?” he asked.
“Up until a couple of weeks ago, I was a high school biology teacher.”
“You were a teacher?” the guy behind the bar asked. “Damn, if my teachers looked liked you, I’d never miss class.”
I forced a smile, eyes immediately darting to the ground. My stomach twisted in an uncomfortable knot. I hated that what should have been a compliment brought me nothing but shame, regret, and highlighted all my newfound insecurities.
“Nero, go away,” the man who was hopefully my new employer said.
Nero shrugged and moved to the other side of the bar.
“I’m sorry about my brother. If he wasn’t raised in the same household as me, I’d question if he was raised by wolves.”
“He’s fine.”
“He’s an asshole, but please, sit. Let’s talk.”
I slipped onto the stool beside him and turned to face him.
“Tell me more about yourself. I’ve never seen you before, so I assume you’re not from around here.”
“No, actually I’m from Ohio. Born and raised. My mom had me young, raised me as a single mom until she met my stepdad. Now I have four half siblings that are ten, twelve, fifteen, and seventeen. They are the light of my life and my biggest pains in the butt.”
He laughed, a loud gruff noise that was also warm and encouraging. “I know all about that. I’m one of seven.”
“Oh wow. I thought one of five was a lot.”
“I definitely have you beat.”
A smile curled upward, a rush of heat spreading through my cheeks. He was easy to talk to, nice to look at, and from our short time together, he seemed respectful, something I appreciated.
“But it also tells me you can deal with chaos.”
“I am a chaos corraller. I’ve mastered the art.”
“You haven’t met my son. He makes the most skilled person question their existence.”
I laughed. “My brother, Phineas, once stuck a raisin up his nose, not realizing once moisture hit it, it would blow up to the size of a grape. He’s the one who is twelve now. I told him the first girl he brings home, I’m going to tell her all about him and his shenanigans. He’s not concerned. Yet. He will be.”
“Hopefully, he’s not like my brother and has a little humility. If not, it’s a baseless threat.”
“It is to be determined.”
“You said you were a high school biology teacher. What happened there? Seems like a great gig.”
The shame I’d been wearing like a heavy sign on my back for months weighed down my shoulders. “It was until it wasn’t.” I didn’t want to divulge more. I still had a hard time accepting everything that had happened. Pain and anger still burned inside of me at the people who I thought were friends and colleagues. It’s why I had to get out of Ohio, even if that meant leaving my family behind. “I’d prefer not to talk about it if that’s okay. I promise you, it’s nothing you have to be concerned about. I was a great teacher, and I loved my job. It just was time for me to move on.”
“I believe you.”
His admission nearly knocked me off the stool. “You do? You don’t even know me.”
“I hope that will change since I’d love to hire you if you’d be okay working Monday through Friday from eight am until five some days, maybe a little later. I’d pay seventy-five an hour and time and a half on the days I’m home later than five. For now, it’ll be for the summer, but we can discuss going forward come September.”
“I’m sorry… did you say seventy-five dollars an hour?” That’s more than I made as a teacher with a master’s degree.
