Page 9 of The Christmas Nanny

“That what this is?” I asked, heart racing. “Yes, I think that would be fun.”

“I would consider it a first date.” He took a long drink of beer. I expected a burp, but none came. I was used to the wrong type of men. My hand was on the table, and he reached across, placing my hand in his. “I meant what I said earlier. You’re a captivating woman.” He let go of my hand and finished his beer. Very bold. Very confident. I liked that in a man.

“No one’s ever told me that,” I said. “When you finally do hear it, it’s a shock to the system. You want to hear it again in case you imagined it the first time.”

“You just have to find the right guy.”

“And I bet you’re it.” I smiled and watched the waitress as she approached.

The waitress placed our food on the table, and we spent the next twenty minutes eating and glancing at each other. I wanted to text Annette but didn’t want to be on my phone with him sitting across from me. I needed to cool my jets, or I’d be in bed with him before the night was over.

We finished eating and ordered a piece of cheesecake we would split. He allowed me to eat the most, then paid the bill.

“I can take you home now if you want.”

I shook my head. That’s the last thing I wanted. “I want to meet Slim Shady.”

“He’s a lot to deal with,” he said. “Be prepared to be licked.”

My mind went in the wrong direction, and my jaw dropped. “I don’t mind being licked.”

“That’s good to hear.” And just like that, our conversation went into the gutter.

“I don’t usually do this?”

“There’s no judgment here,” he said. “It’s the time of good cheer, remember?”

“Do you not have a girlfriend?”

“Did. When I lost my job, she lost me.” He finished his beer, and I couldn’t help but notice the hurt in his eyes.

“Her loss, I’m sure. Maybe we could set her up with Jeremy.”

“You would date an unemployed man? I think that’s every father’s worst nightmare.”

“I’ve made the mistake of dating men with no potential,” I said. “I don’t see that in you. I see you climbing back on the horse and charging forward. I think we’re both looking for something more from life. It’s just a matter of finding our paths.”

The waitress returned with two more drinks.

“Yeah. I’m not much on pity parties.” He sipped his beer, watching me. “I generally know what I want and go after it with every part of my soul.” His eyes had a Christmas twinkle even in the darkness of the restaurant. He was working hard to swoon me.

“Do you always go this fast when you are all in with a woman?”

“You’ve made a great first and second impression,” he said. “I think you’re worth pursuing.”

“You just met me.”

“And yet you agreed to a second date.”

I leaned back. A picture of Marilyn Monroe was on the wall beside me, trying to hold her white dress down. The woman was gorgeous. She was never shy about the men she associated with.

“What else are you into besides the gym and saving women from their boyfriends?”

He chuckled and moved his empty bottle away. “I have a lot of hobbies. Art. Photography. I’m a visual person, meaning I like beautiful things.”

“A renaissance man. I like that.”

“You can call me that. Though, I like things a bit on the darker side. It makes life more interesting.”

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