Page 7 of The Christmas Nanny

“Neither do you, and she won’t ask you again.” He stepped away from the open door and motioned with his thumb. “Get out.” I glanced at the mistletoe above his head and smiled.

“There’s three of us.” Jeremy shoved his hands in his pockets. I was damn sure Jacob could kick Jeremy’s ass, but take all three? I couldn’t say I would be disappointed if he threw all three down the stairs.

“I’m sorry about your odds.” Jacob crossed his arms. “Would you like to call another friend?”

Jeremy sized up the situation and nodded for his friends to follow. They grabbed their game consoles but left the Mountain Dew bottles and pizza boxes. Jacob stood his ground as the three walked by him. He shut the door when they were gone.

“You okay?” He laid the credit card on the table where the extra key had been. He made no advance into the apartment, which I appreciated. I wanted to ask him where he left his superhero costume.

“Yeah, I forgot the asshole had a key to the place. He wasn’t supposed to be here.” I started gathering pizza boxes. “Thank you for doing that.”

“Want some help?” he asked, and I stopped.

“You really don’t have to.”

“I don’t mind. I’m not OCD, but I enjoy a clean place. Not into video games either.”

“The trashcan’s under the sink,” I said.

He grabbed the trashcan and began picking up Mountain Dew bottles. Mister Wigglebutt emerged from the bedroom and watched. He didn’t hiss at Jacob, which was a good sign. Jacob returned the trashcan beneath the sink when finished.

“That your boyfriend?”

“Ex-boyfriend.”

Mister Wigglebutt pranced toward Jacob and purred.

“Okay if I pick him up?”

“He’s not very friendly, but you can try it. I’m not responsible for what happens when you do.”

Jacob bent over and lifted Wigglebutt from the floor. The cat purred like never before. Jacob held his face next to the cat’s, and Wigglebutt’s purr grew louder. “His eyes are looking at each other.” Jacob held Mr. Wigglebutt at arm's length and studied his eyes.

“He hated Jeremy,” I said. “I should have taken that as a sign.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” he said. “We still on for tonight?”

“Six tonight at Raiders.” He started to leave, but I called him back. “Wait. I was going to make a sandwich. Can I get you something? It’s the least I can do for everything you’ve done today.”

“You can if you don’t mind me helping.” He stepped away from the fridge, giving me plenty of room to move.

I opened the fridge and moaned. Everything was gone. “That asshole and his friends.”

Jacob peeked around the fridge door. “Looks like we might need a lunch and dinner combo.”

“What’s your last name?” I asked.

“King. Something wrong?”

“I need to do something real quick,” I said. “Can you wait right here? I’ll only be a few minutes.”

I went to the bedroom and sent Annette a text. She had a friend who could look people up and find out stuff. I gave her Jacob’s name and returned to the living room.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes.” I turned on the TV. “I spent the night at a friend’s house last night and need a shower. Do you mind waiting?” That’s really stupid, Christine.

In the bathroom, I locked the door and started the shower. I glanced at the phone and saw the three little dots bouncing next to Annette’s name.

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